Weekly news - 4th March 2011 |
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INCB Annual Report 2010
The report highlights the Board's concerns about issues such as designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids and precursor chemicals and also presents regional developments and recommendations for Governments [INCB]
Designer drugs are escalating out of control, according to INCB
Designer drugs are being produced faster and in growing numbers, according to the annual report of the Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board [UNODC]
Continued cannabis use and risk of incidence and persistence of psychotic symptoms: 10 year follow-up cohort study
Conclusion Cannabis use is a risk factor for the development of incident psychotic symptoms. Continued cannabis use might increase the risk for psychotic disorder by impacting on the persistence of symptoms [British Medical Journal]
RCGP guidance on opioid substitute prescribing in primary care - Response from Professor John Strang
We will examine this report along with other materials in the Recovery-Oriented Drug Treatment expert group that I am chairing at the request of the NTA, in order to develop protocols and guidance for the whole substance misuse field [Professor John Strang, National Addiction Centre, UK]
Randomised Trial of the Effectiveness of Naloxone
The Medical Research Council has approved a randomised pilot trial
in UK
prisons into the potential for the heroin antidote Naloxone to reduce drugrelated
deaths when issued at the point of release to individuals with a history
of injecting drug use [Ministry of Justice and Department of Health, UK]
Alcohol dependence and harmful alcohol use
This clinical guideline offers evidence-based advice on the diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in adults and in young people aged 10–17 years [NICE, UK]
Evaluation of the Alcohol Treatment Requirement in Five Sites Across the Lancashire Probation Area
Delivery of the partnership working between Probation and alcohol treatment services was generally excellent and was underpinned by good quality communication [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]
Market forces alone will not deliver essential changes to hospital services
The King’s Fund has questioned whether the government’s health reforms will deliver much-needed changes to the provision of hospital services, in a new report published today - report [The King's Fund, UK]
First woman appointed as Chief Medical Officer for England
Professor Dame Sally Davies was today named as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England [Department of Health, UK]
EMCDDA meeting on wastewater analysis
A list of downloads from 28 January 2011, Lisbon [EMCDDA]
Chemicals Used in "Spice" and "K2" Now Under Federal Control and Regulation
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today exercised its emergency scheduling authority to control five chemicals (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497, and cannabicyclohexanol) used to make so-called “fake pot” products [DEA, USA]
Managing Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Services
The audit found that the Department of Health has no assurance that the service system objectives, of effective case management and continuity of care for clients, and consistent, high quality services, are being achieved. Full report - Summary [Victorian Auditor-General's Office, Australia]