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Daily news - 12th July 2022 |
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UK news
DDN Magazine - July/August 2022 - out now
We wondered if it would ever happen – and then there we were, with everyone pouring through the doors of our first conference for three years. In this issue you’ll find all kinds of impressions of the day, but for me the highlights, alongside inspiring speakers and our team of amazing volunteers, were the connections – reunions, introductions, endless possibilities for working together and sharing ideas | DDN, UK
Edinburgh prisoners to receive training for drug that counters heroin overdose
Over 300 prisoners at HMP Edinburgh are being primed to take on special training to apply naloxone, which has been rolled out to treat those suffering a heroin overdose | Edinburgh Live, UK
‘Torment’ for families as access to medicinal cannabis product in doubt
One mother said the next six months will be a ‘huge torment’ after officials said access to Celixir20 will last at least until the end of the year | Evening Standard, UK
Drugs intercepted at Peterborough postal sorting office
Cambridgeshire Police said 46 packages were found at the Werrington sorting office in June including cannabis, crack cocaine, spice and a knife | BBC, UK
International news
County Kilkenny arrests as police seize €6.9m of cannabis
Two men have been arrested after cannabis with an estimated street value of more than €6.9m (£5.8m) was seized in County Kilkenny on Monday | BBC, UK
Flemish Health Council calls for reform of how e-cigarettes are sold
The Flemish Health Council warns not to start smoking electronic cigarettes unless as a replacement for classic cigarettes. The Council calls on the government to enforce stricter measures on the liquids in e-cigarettes and to makes packaging less attractive to young people, De Morgen reported | Brussels Times, Belgium
Spain Dismantles Gang Making Underwater “Drug Drones”
Spanish police said they arrested eight suspects and seized for the first time three underwater drones especially designed to carry up to two hundred kilos of drugs | OCCRP, Spain
How to Change Your Mind - new series on Netflix
Author Michael Pollan leads the way in this docuseries exploring the history and uses of psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and mescaline | Netflix, USA
Drinking alone foreshadows future alcohol problems
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University found that drinking alone during adolescence and young adulthood strongly increases risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) later in life. This risk is especially high for women | Medical Xpress, USA
Access to hep C treatment reducing morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs
A longitudinal cohort study of persons with a history of injection drug use has found that more people who inject drugs (PWID) are receiving Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, which is associated with significant reductions in liver disease and mortality | Medical Xpress, USA
New study determines psychedelic mushroom microdoses can improve mood, mental health
The latest study to examine how tiny amounts of psychedelics can impact mental health provides further evidence of the therapeutic potential of microdosing | Medical Xpress, USA
People’s Reasons for Using Kratom Are Rapidly Diversifying
Since kratom began growing in popularity in North America, researchers have tried to understand how and why people are using it. Much research focuses on people using the plant to ease the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, since the Southeast Asian plant works on similar neurotransmitter receptors to opioids. One 2020 study, for instance, found that 41 percent of nearly 3,000 respondents used kratom for this purpose | Filter Magazine, USA
New England “Strike Force” to Target Opioid Prescribers for Prosecution
On June 29, a group of agencies announced the “New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force” (NEPO). It will target physicians, pharmacists and other health professionals deemed to prescribe or dispense opioids in illegal ways | Filter Magazine, USA
The FDA’s Unconscionable Campaign to Destroy Juul
Shock and disbelief. That’s what ripped through the tobacco harm reduction community when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Juul e-cigarettes off the market on June 23 | Filter Magazine, USA
Xylazine (CCENDU Drug Alert)
Summarizes the increased risk of accidental overdose due to xylazine in Canada’s unregulated drug supply. Xylazine is a non-opioid pain reliever developed as a sedative and muscle relaxant for animals. It is being found as an adulterant in other drugs. In combination with other sedatives like fentanyl, benzodiazepines or alcohol, xylazine can increase the risk of overdose and death | CCSA, Canada
Experience of Safety, Harassment and Social Exclusion Among Male Clients of Sydney’s Medically Supervised Injecting Centre
Much has been research and written about the health benefits of harm reduction services like the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, including reducing overdose and the transmission of blood borne viruses (such as HIV and Hepatis C). Less however is known about how the service provides clients with a reprieve from the harassment and violence they are subject to on a daily basis | NDARC, Australia
International Overdose Awareness Day Event Registration 2022 - 31st August
By hosting an event, you are joining thousands of people across the world to end overdose, reduce stigma, remember those no longer with us and recognise the grief of the family and friends left behind | Penington Institute, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
We keep being told that alcohol explains Chris Pincher’s behaviour – it doesn’t
Alcohol isn’t a drug that somehow turns individuals into sexual predators | Independent voices, UK
Villain Or Victim? Understanding The Role of Women In The Latin American Drug Trade
One of the most effective ways the War on Drugs justifies violence is by stereotyping its enemies: the various players in the drug trade. These ‘drug lords,’ ‘kingpins’ and ‘cocaine queens’ threaten the stability of middle-class neighbourhoods, terrorise nameless villages, and corrupt innocent children | Talking Drugs, UK