Daily news - 16th February 2021 |
 |
UK news
Children of Alcoholics Week (14-20 February 2020)
COA Week is a campaign to raise awareness of children affected by parental alcohol problems, celebrated internationally each year during the week in which Valentine’s Day falls. In the UK, COA Week is led by the charity Nacoa UK who provide year-round support. Please join us in our 12th year in the UK. Together we can increase awareness of this hidden problem and the support available. Find out how you can help children of all ages know they are not alone | NACOA, UK
Getting back on track: Delivering a smokefree start for every child
This report from ASH and the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group sets out the action needed to turn the Government’s ambitions on smoking in pregnancy and a smokefree society into a reality | ASH, UK
Survey results: Drugs, the law and you
Earlier this week we launched a short-term survey to hear your experience of the impact of UK drug legislation. It focused on the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and asked questions on health care, stigma and drug law reform. The results are available now | Crew, UK
New study questions whether pubs can effectively and consistently prevent COVID-19 transmission risks
A new first-of-its-kind study has questioned whether pub operators can effectively and consistently prevent COVID-19 transmission – after researchers observed risks arising in licensed premises last summer | University of Stirling, UK
Beyond behaviours: How health inequality theory can enhance our understanding of the ‘alcohol harm paradox
Read the event report for Jennifer Boyd's webinar: "Beyond behaviours: How health inequality theory can enhance our understanding of the ‘alcohol harm paradox’" | SHAAP, UK
Kinship carers during coronavirus (PDF)
More than half the kinship carers cited parental drug or alcohol misuse and four in ten kinship carers cited parental mental ill health as the main reasons why the children were unable to live with parents | Cross-party Parliamentary Taskforce on Kinship Care, UK
Exclusive: Dangerous drivers facing licence suspension under proposals being considered by MPs
[Limited number of free articles per week] A petition for 'Tom’s law' has attracted over 100,000 backers after being lodged by the parents of Tom McConnachie, killed by a drunk driver | Telegraph, UK
All About Drugs - Featuring The Drop, Volteface & NeuroSight - video
Drug Science and Psychedelic Research Society present the next instalment in our collaborative project with Bristol Uni Students union, All About Drugs. This webinar features our very own Sorcha Ryan from The Drop, Paul North, the director of Volteface and Arda Ozcubukcu COO of NeuroSight | BDP, UK
All Good Points video – CannaStop 15/2/2021
In another busy week for cannabis Paul & George discuss all the major talking points including: Kanabo & MGC Pharma make history / Cannabis stocks fluctuate wildly /US Launch Cannabis Council | Volteface, UK
'My mum was an alcoholic and it was a massive secret'
Growing up with a parent who has a drinking problem can profoundly affect children in many ways. Children of alcoholics are more likely to suffer from depression, struggle in school, and experience abuse and violence at home. Many find that they are still deeply affected by their parent's drinking as adults - like Becky Ellis Hamilton | BBC, UK
Father of talented Oxford student who died of overdose attacks university’s drugs policy
Daniel Mervis - a JFS alumni and champion weightlifter – died aged 23 having developed a cocaine addiction at St John’s College | The JC, UK
Encrochat: Suspected drug dealers sought by police
Two suspected drug dealers are being sought as part of an investigation into encrypted mobile phone communications | BBC, UK
International news
Article 5.3 and the Governance of Tobacco Control: Understanding barriers to effective implementation - webinar
The commitment to protect policymaking from tobacco industry interference under Article 5.3 is widely seen as the foundation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Yet its implementation has both been strikingly limited and received limited academic attention. This webinar presents emergent research findings from the Tobacco Control Capacity Programme, exploring challenges in developing effective health governance in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, and Uganda | University of Edinburgh, Usher Institute, UK
Cannabis market on a high as Kanabo lists in London
[Limited number of free articles per week] Israeli firm is the second medical cannabis company to list on the LSE in less than a fortnight | Telegraph, UK
Former Australian Olympian Scott Miller held over 'hidden drugs haul'
Former Australian Olympian swimmer Scott Miller has been arrested in a police raid, following an investigation into a A$2m (£1.1m; $1.6m) drugs haul | BBC, UK
‘I’ll blow your f**king legs off’: Crime and neglect in Dublin city centre
Residents, community activists and youth workers all agree that a sense of increased drug-related violence, threat and intimidation in recent months has brought heightened fear to the area | Irish Times, Ireland
Meet Florence, WHO’s digital health worker who can help you quit tobacco
Florence is a 24/7 virtual health worker able to provide digital counselling services to those trying to quit tobacco. She also shares WHO public health messages and recommendations on tobacco and COVID-19 | WHO, Denmark
40% still experience smoking in playgrounds
Eurobarometer survey finds Maltese mostly likely Europeans to experience outdoor smoking in areas frequented by kids and teens | Malta Today, Malta
Considering the Potential Benefits of Over-the-Counter Naloxone
Since 1999, annual opioid-related overdose (ORO) mortality has increased more than six-fold. In response to this crisis, the US Department of Health and Human Services outlined a 5-point strategy to reduce ORO mortality which included the widespread distribution of naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose | Dove Press, USA
Projected Estimates of Opioid Mortality After Community-Level Interventions
In this decision analytical model using simulated urban and rural communities, no single intervention or approach was associated with a 40% reduction in overdose mortality in any community. Achieving a 40% reduction required increasing capacity for treating with medications for opioid use disorder, improving retention on medications, and increased naloxone distribution | JAMA Network Open, USA
Drinking, smoking, and drug use linked to premature heart disease in the young
Recreational drinking, smoking, and drug use is linked to premature heart disease in young people, particularly younger women, finds research published online in the journal Heart | Medical Xpress, USA
Teens may be more likely to use marijuana after legalization for adult recreational use
Adolescents who live in California may be more likely to use marijuana since adult recreational marijuana use was legalized in 2016, according to a new report in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs | EurekAlert, USA
Could the Embrace of Psychedelics Lead to a Mental-Health Revolution?
At 7 O'clock on a recent evening, I dim the bedroom lights, call out a reminder to my boyfriend to rouse me in an hour with a gentle tap, and close the door | Vogue, USA
Ex-Drug Users' and Health Professionals' Perspectives About School-Based Drug Use Prevention Programs: A Qualitative Study
Adolescents have become a prime target for drug dealers in various countries around the world, including in Indonesia. To reduce the high number of drug users amongst adolescents, effective drug prevention programs should be developed and implemented. The present study aimed to identify effective school-based drug prevention programs for adolescents from the perspectives of former drug users and health professionals | Frontiers in Public Health, Indonesia
Blogs, comment and opinion
What is COA Week and why is it important?
Children of Alcoholics Week (14-20 February 2020) is in its twelfth year in the UK. There will be an increase in presence of people affected by their parent’s drinking across the media and social media | Alcohol Health Alliance, UK
Irvine Welsh: ‘We’re as much in denial about drug abuse as ever’
As the film adaptation of Trainspotting turns 25, the writer reflects on what's changed – and what hasn't – since it was released in 1996 | The Big Issue, UK
The Trip Report 15/02
Even if you know exactly what you’re taking, drug use is never safe — that said, it’s much safer when you do | Cameron Scally, UK
Opinion: Current Psychedelic Research Lacks Diversity
Psychedelics are making a comeback. We’ve recently witnessed a wave of re-emerging interest and research into psychedelic drugs. This has undoubtedly been a beneficial force for breaking down stigma, whilst highlighting the incredible potential psychedelics have for healing deep-rooted trauma | Volteface, UK