Daily news - 15th December 2020 |
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UK news
Deaths of homeless people in England and Wales: 2019 registrations
289 estimated deaths of homeless people in 2019 were related to drug poisoning, that is, 37.1% of all estimated deaths (see Figure 5). Suicide and alcohol-specific causes accounted for 14.4% (112 deaths) and 9.8% (76 deaths) of estimated deaths of homeless people in 2019 respectively | ONS, UK
Rough sleeping questionnaire: initial findings
Initial findings: understanding the multiple vulnerabilities, support needs and experiences of people who sleep rough in England | Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, UK
Support for homelessness during the winter months
The winter period presents the greatest health risks to those who are homeless and sleeping rough. In periods of severe cold weather local authorities, working with homelessness charities, normally provide emergency shelters for rough sleepers in line with the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) | UK Parliament, UK
Drug Related Deaths in Scotland - due out later today
The statistics should be available at the above web address from 9am | National Records of Scotland, UK
Five ways to tackle Scotland's drugs crisis
Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe and the numbers are continuing to rise at an alarming speed | BBC, UK
Drugs death figures expected to be worst ever
The much-delayed figure for the number of Scots who died as a result of drug misuse last year are to be released | BBC, UK
Fighting to save lives in Scotland’s drug death crisis
“I’ve been losing people since I was 16,” says James, who started using drugs as a teenager. “I’ve lost people this year and I lost people last year. People are dying in their droves.” | The Ferret, UK
Why are drug-related deaths among women increasing in Scotland? A mixed-methods analysis of possible explanations
[Open access] Drug-related deaths have increased significantly in Scotland in recent years, with a much greater percentage increase in deaths among women than among men. We undertook a mixed-methods project to identify explanations for this trend... | Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, UK
Vastly differing opioid prescribing patterns in England even in similarly deprived areas
Opioid prescribing patterns vary hugely across England, even in similarly deprived areas, reveals an analysis of general practice data, published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health | Medical Xpress, UK
Opioid prescriptions far greater in UK's deprived northern regions, study reveals
[Limited number of free articles per week] GPs are 'papering over the cracks of deep-seated emotional problems' with drugs, claims addiction charity | Telegraph, UK
Hepatitis C in England and the UK
Report updated - added Hepatitis C in the UK: 2020 report and accompanying slide set and infographic | PHE, UK
Drug use: 'Kids need to understand the harshness of reality' - video
A new safety campaign on Snapchat has been welcomed by a mother who lost her 13-year-old son to drugs he bought via the social media app | BBC, UK
Drug-driving at Christmas
This has been a year like no other. But remember, the drug-driving rules haven’t changed. So, however you’re celebrating this festive period; don’t drive under the influence of drugs | Road Safety Scotland, UK
Meet the Briton betting on magic mushrooms to help treat depression
[Limited number of free articles per week] George Goldsmith, founder of Compass Pathways, has created a synthetic version of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms | Telegraph, UK
Episode 2: Cannabis Patients, Professionals and Politicians - podcast
In this episode we explore important conversations around patient access, GP fears, the political landscape & how large pharmaceutical companies can help with positive change | Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, UK
Episode 1: Go on then... since it’s Christmas - podcast
Our chat covers what addiction really is, how it manifests in our behaviour and the relationships that change when you say no to a drink. We'll also discuss cultural drinking during the festive season, including how legislation, marketing and our friends influence our drinking habits. Oh, and of course, we’ll touch on whether there’s actually a cure for a hangover | The South Bank Think Tank, UK
Book List - January 2021
Addiction publishes new book lists five times per year, both in print and on this website. Items are alphabetised by author within each list. Entry in this list neither precludes nor guarantees later review | Addiction, UK
Aston Hall: 'Truth drug' abuse victims get government apology
People who were subject to abuse and unauthorised drug treatments as children in a mental health hospital have received a government apology | BBC, UK
Google Translate mix-up sees Sunderland drugs suspect arrested
A suspected drug dealer inadvertently showed police a video of a cannabis farm while trying to access Google Translate on his phone | BBC, UK
International news
Minister for Health to assist patients with access to prescribed medical cannabis products
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today announced that patients who are prescribed medical cannabis products will no longer need to travel to the Netherlands to collect their medication | Gov.ie, Ireland
Irish Health Survey 2019 - Main Results
The survey is based on self-reported data from persons aged 15 years and over, and outlines their view of their health status – from how well they are feeling, to the extent to which they suffer from long-standing health conditions, as well as other factors. The publication concludes on the health determinants of the population aged 15 years and over – what are the choices we make as regards smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise? | Central Statistics Office, Ireland
Protocol for updating the Evidence database of the Best Practice Portal
The Evidence database is a core component of the EMCDDA’s Best Practice Portal. The portal is a resource for professionals, policymakers and researchers in the drugs field and provides information on the available evidence on drug-related prevention, treatment and harm reduction, focusing on the European context. The evidence is compiled following an explicit methodological process which is described in this document | EMCDDA, Portugal
EMCDDA Voices: Tony Duffin - video
Professionals working in the drugs field are among our main customers. We welcome Tony Duffin of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, Ireland, as one of our #emcdda25 ‘Voices’. He shares his story of what the EMCDDA means to him | EMCDDA, Portugal
The EESC Calls for Drug Policy Reform in the EU
The new opinion paper adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) calls for less law enforcement and more health and human rights in the new EU Drugs Strategy | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Study: Flavoring chemicals of e-cigarette vapor alone can measurably damage the lungs
Known for their appetizing flavors, such as bubblegum, banana and strawberry, e-cigarettes continue to grow in popularity around the world. Promoted by makers as a "healthy" alternative to regular tobacco cigarettes, researchers are finding e-cigarettes or vaping, still result in injury to the lungs | News Medical, USA
State officials announce Naloxone-by-mail plan amid likely record year for overdose deaths
Delaware announced Friday a plan to allow people to order the overdose reversal medication Naloxone by mail. Delawareans can now confidentially order naloxone using the state’s website helpisherede.com and have it delivered to their home | DPM, USA
The Struggle for Medical Marijuana Access in Brazil
Theo, a 14-year-old living in Rio de Janeiro, suffers from a type of epilepsy that causes absence seizures—brief lapses in awareness. “It’s not exactly those seizures that we know where the person falls to the ground, but they are challenging and difficult to control and have an impact on his quality of life,” Theo’s mother, Rita Carvana, told Filter | Filter Magazine, USA
A “Humane” Global Drug War Is Possible, House Commission Tells Biden
About 20 minutes into a US House of Representatives hearing on the findings of the Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission—a body created under Obama and tasked with re-evaluating drug policy in the Americas... | Filter Magazine, USA
Pandemic isolation, stress fuel more drinking in Peterborough, say experts
Alcohol consumption has been increasing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for people who find themselves isolated or lonely or dealing with anxiety or stress, say local professionals | Peterborough Examiner, Canada
Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia
The consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is a major cause of preventable disease and illness in Australia. This report consolidates the most recently available information on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Australia, and includes key trends in the availability, consumption, harms and treatment for vulnerable populations. Further, information on a range of health, social and economic impacts of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use are highlighted | AIHW, Australia
The ACT could decriminalise small amounts of illicit drugs next year — but what does that mean for users?
Advocates for drug harm reduction have welcomed a draft bill from an ACT Labor backbencher to decriminalise personal possession of illicit substances, saying it will take pressure off the courts system while giving drug users better access to health services | abc.net.au, Australia
Pharmacologist led study into effects of marijuana on the brain
Greg Chesher, who died on August 30, 2020, at the age of 91, was a scientist who undertook groundbreaking research into the effects of marijuana from the 1970s | SMH, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
We Are With You calls for an increase of Housing First schemes in response to new statistics showing homeless deaths are at record levels
In response to the above statistics, drug, alcohol and mental health charity We Are With You is calling on the government to increase Housing First schemes to reduce homelessness and homeless deaths in England | We Are With You, UK
‘Act-as-if you are infected and infectious’: what has the global Therapeutic Community movement learnt from COVID-19?
On 25th June 2020, the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC) hosted a virtual COVID-19 learning event for practitioners from across the global TC movement. The aim of the event was to bring together TC professionals, from across the world, to reflect upon experiences, challenges and lessons from COVID-19, with a view to consider the future of TCs in both theory and practice | Phoenix Futures blog, UK
Rehab in Scotland: joining things up
There’s an urgent need to improve our response to Scotland’s drug problems. The focus has quite rightly been on harm reduction interventions, but some (including me) have also called for better access to residential rehab as part of the spectrum of approaches. While clearly not a panacea, could residential rehab make an impact on drug (and alcohol) deaths? It would be good to find out | Recovery Review blog, UK
As a police commander, I used to ask myself: was drug use really a matter of crime?
Any reform the NSW government considers that leads to less confrontation for the cops will also be the best outcome for the community | Guardian, UK
A mental disorder, not a personal failure: why now is the time for Australia to rethink addiction
The year 2020 has challenged us all. The bushfires and then the pandemic forced us to reflect on what’s important, how we respond to crises as a community, and the ways we connect and support each other | Conversation, Australia