Weekly news - 24th May 2013 |
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OAS Secretary General Presents Report on the Drug Problem in the Americas
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, today issued a stark review of the reality experienced in relation to drugs Analytical Report (PDF) - Scenarios Report (PDF) | OAS, USA
Western leaders study 'gamechanging' report on global drugs trade
Review by Organisation of American States on illicit drugs 'could mark beginning of the end' of prohibition [see OAS entry below for reports] | Observer, UK
Europe and the US should heed Latin America on drugs
It's time to engage with Latin America and pursue alternatives to the present policy | Observer, UK
Breaking the taboo about drugs
In an open letter, former Latin American leaders call for legal regulation to help undermine organised crime | Guardian, UK
The 'unhealthy' drinking culture of MPs isn't a private matter - it also impacts on public policy
Parliamentarians are as oblivious to the health risks of drinking alcohol as the general public and we have to ask what effect this is having on the nation's health | Independent, UK
Guide for Commissioners of Drug and Alcohol Services (PDF)
This guide has been written to provide practical advice on developing and delivering local plans and strategies to commission the most effective and efficient drug and alcohol services for adults. Based upon clinical best practice guidance and drawing upon the range of available evidence, it describes what should be expected of a modern drug and alcohol service | JCPMH, UK
Can the Work Programme work for all customer groups? Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee
The Work Programme has the potential to work well for relatively mainstream jobseekers but is unlikely to reach the most disadvantaged long-term unemployed people, argues the Work and Pensions Committee in a Report - Can the Work Programme work for all customer groups? (PDF) published today | Work and Pensions Committee, UK
Can the Work Programme work for all customer groups? Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, DrugScope Comment
Today’s report will make interesting reading for people in the drug and alcohol sector and beyond. The report reflects many aspects of the submission DrugScope made jointly with Homeless Link in December 2012, and makes some of the same recommendations we called for | DrugScope, UK
May/June Druglink
This issue focuses on the evidence base for drug policy and practice, including an interview with Professor John Strang; a debate arguing the merits or otherwise of the randomised control study; and a review of the Cochrane Handbook on alcohol and drug misuse. In our free article (PDF) this month, Paul Anders looks at the Work Programme in detail, and considers its relevance for the drug and alcohol sector | DrugScope, UK
Performance of Payment by Results Pilot Areas: April 2012 to February 2013
This document provides an overview of the performance to date of the drugs and alcohol recovery Payment by Results (PbR) pilots | DoH, UK
Drop in Scottish alcohol sales 'due to multi-buy ban'
The amount of alcohol sold in Scottish shops has fallen by 2.6% in the year since multi-buy promotions were banned, according to research | BBC, UK
The Purple Bull Podcast: Episode 1 - What is Recovery?
Welcome to the first ever Purple Bull Podcast from UK Recovery Radio. Starting from scratch in January 2013, this is the work of fifteen recovering volunteers who have interviewed people in recovery and professionals across the addictions field | Recovery Radio, UK
DrugScope concerns over MPs Work Programme report findings
DrugScope, the leading UK charity supporting professionals working in drug and alcohol treatment, has today responded to the new report from the Work and Pensions Committee, ‘Can the Work Programme work for all user groups?’ | DrugScope, UK
Crisis, Mind and Drugscope warn on Work Programme
Full text of a letter printed in the Times from the chief executives of Crisis, Mind and Drugscope | Crisis, UK
Why philosophy students do the most drugs
Nearly 90% of them have taken drugs, a higher proportion than in any other discipline, according to a poll of 21 UK universities | Guardian, UK
Letters to music festival organisers in 2013
Letters from minister highlight concerns about 'legal highs' (new psychoactive substances), illegal drugs and gases (such as nitrous oxide) | Home Office, UK
The War on Drugs: the Observer debate – as it happened
Live coverage of a panel discussion on drug laws with David Simon, writer of The Wire, documentary maker Eugene Jarecki, Rachel Seifert, the director of the documentary Cocaine Unwrapped and others at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. The debate was chaired by Observer editor John Mulholland | Guardian, UK