Weekly news - 28th March 2013 |
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Revised safeguarding statutory guidance - working together
Following formal consultation we have published the revised statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013). This guidance has been published in response to recommendations from Professor Eileen Munro's report, 'A child-centred system' | Dept for Education, UK
Rise in child smokers with more than 200,000 youngsters taking up the habit
The number of child smokers is rising, with more than 200,000 taking up the habit in a year, Cancer Research UK has warned | Telegraph, UK
Increase in alcohol-related cancers despite well-established link
The report, Alcohol and cancer, highlights figures showing that the number of admissions to hospital for alcohol-related cancer increased from 29,400 in 2002/03 to 37,600 in 2010/11 | Royal College Physicians, UK
Are ankle tags the answer for tackling parents with drink problems?
For the past six months the Family Drug and Alcohol Court in London has been piloting a scheme using alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelets in child protection cases where parental alcohol addiction was a concern | BBC, UK
'Strong heroin' warning after Sheerwater man dies
The sudden death of a 23-year-old man in Surrey could be linked to him having taken an unusually strong form of heroin, police have said | BBC, UK
NTA responds to Ofsted and CQC report 'What about the children?'
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) today called on the Government to make it a mandatory requirement for mental health services to collect data on children whose parents or carers have mental health difficulties and report on such data nationally | NTA, UK
Warning after Hertfordshire 'rocket fuel' drug illnesses
Ten people were hospitalised at the weekend after taking an illegal drug known as "rocket fuel" at parties in Hertfordshire | BBC, UK
David Cameron 'ignoring compelling evidence' that dearer alcohol would save lives
David Cameron will be guilty of ignoring compelling medical evidence if he decides to abandon plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol, the Government's own public health advisers warned today | Independent, UK
Landmark report on achieving parity between mental and physical health published
A major report demonstrating how parity between mental and physical health can be achieved is published today by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Whole-Person Care: From Rhetoric to Reality (PDF), defines parity as valuing mental health equally with physical health | RGCP, UK
March/April edition of Druglink out now
Our free article (PDF) this issue is an interview with Baroness Molly Meacher who believes believes the problems of enforcing legal highs could be the tipping point for general consideration of drug law reform | DrugScope, UK
MEAM welcomes Big Lottery announcement on multiple and complex needs - WORD
The Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition has today welcomed the Big Lottery Fund’s announcement that ten local areas are on their way to receiving up to £10 million each to support people facing a combination of problems such as substance misuse, homelessness, mental health problems and contact with the criminal justice system | MEAM, UK
NTA survey seeks to establish national picture of alcohol services in hospital settings
Commissioners in England are being asked to partake in a survey of alcohol services in hospital settings in England by the National Treatment Agency (NTA). The NTA are to be part of Public Health England (PHE) as of 1st April | Alcohol Policy UK, UK
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times Report
The Scottish Government has set a target that by March 2013, 90% of people who need help with their drug or alcohol problem will wait no longer than three weeks for treatment that supports their recovery | ISD, Scotland
Scottish Drug Misuse Database: Overview of individuals assessed in 2011/12
This annual publication presents the available information from the Scottish Drugs Misuse Database (SDMD) on individuals presenting for initial assessments at drug treatment services in 2011/12 | ISD, Scotland
RecoveryWatch: Tell us what is happening in your area
For the Recovery Partnership, DrugScope is monitoring developments for drug and alcohol services in light of significant changes for the sector. We want to hear from you about your experience of what is happening locally (positive or negative) - in public health, criminal justice, services which support recovery and also young people. All responses will be treated in the strictest confidence. If it matters to you, it is relevant for us.Do get in touch | DrugScope, UK
Ministers aim to make Scotland 'tobacco free' by 2034
Plain cigarette packaging is to be introduced in Scotland under a plan to make the nation "tobacco free" by 2034 | BBC, UK