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Daily news - 1st November 2022 |
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UK news
Analysis of the UK Government’s 10-Year Drugs Strategy—a resource for practitioners and policymakers
In 2021, during a drug-related death crisis in the UK, the Government published its ten-year drugs strategy. This article, written in collaboration with the Faculty of Public Health and the Association of Directors of Public Health, assesses whether this Strategy is evidence-based and consistent with international calls to promote public health approaches to drugs, which put ‘people, health and human rights at the centre’ | Journal of Public Health, UK
Drug addiction: Princess of Wales' work hailed by ex-user
A former heroin addict turned podcaster has welcomed the Princess of Wales' campaign to help drug abusers | BBC, UK
Investigating recovery from problem substance use using digital photovoice
This study investigates the complex process of recovery from problem substance use using a visual research method known as ‘Photovoice’. Seven service users from a harm reduction drug service were given digital cameras and asked to photograph ‘people, places, and things’ meaningful to them in their recovery. These photographs were then used as a catalyst for discussion during two in-depth interviews. This study demonstrates the nuanced experiences of recovery as some participants expressed feeling isolated while others reflected upon their access to various forms of social capital | Journal of Community Psychology, UK
Fears of booze 'timebomb' as almost 10,000 British troops treated for alcohol abuse
Troops claimed they were 'drinking to cope' with the pressure of military life or to 'fit in' with the culture. Some 800 women have received treatment for drink problems | Mirror, UK
New liver cancer support service launched
The British Liver Trust has launched a new support and information service for people affected by liver cancer, in response to rapidly rising cases of the disease. Liver cancer incidence rates have increased by 45 per cent in the last decade, while the death rate has increased by 40 per cent, making it the fasting rising cause of cancer death in the UK | DDN, UK
Scotland Road: Pubs of Liverpool thoroughfare face last orders
At its peak, the area around Liverpool's Scotland Road was home to more than 200 pubs, but last orders could soon be called on what was once the beating heart of the city | BBC, UK
‘It was more than a pub’ – the story of five boozers forced to call last orders
Squeezed by the pandemic, staff shortages, redevelopment and a cost of living crisis, pubs across the country are shutting in droves. We meet five landlords who have recently had to call time for good | Guardian, UK
International news
Tobacco giants help fund Putin’s war machine with £7bn in taxes
[Possible paywall] Cigarette companies continue to be important source of income for Kremlin coffers | Telegraph, UK
Stephen Donnelly did not share warning from his officials on dire impact new pub laws will have on health services
Department of Health memo claimed leaving nightclubs open all night will pile pressure on health services | Independent, Ireland
Use of e-cigarettes had negative cardiovascular effects similar to smoking cigarettes
Using pod-based electronic cigarettes may lead to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may negatively affect cardiovascular health in a similar manner to smoking traditional cigarettes, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022 | EurekAlert, USA
Why People Are Still Shooting Drugs They’d Rather Smoke
In 2012, Anna* was trying to smoke crack for the first time. Corner stores in South Carolina sold glass pipes, and experienced smokers could fashion something homemade, but a 22-year-old used to injecting black tar heroin didn’t know any of that. They tried putting the crack on top of a bowl of weed, but didn’t get any effect; so they went straight to injecting | Filter Magazine, USA
Buprenorphine Access: Telehealth Revolution Faces Uncertain Future
This summer, a young woman was revived by paramedics after an overdose at her home in Upstate New York. She refused transport to the hospital, a common occurrence among people who use drugs who have been historically mistreated by the health care system. Two years prior, emergency responders would have noted her as “refusing treatment” and swiftly left her. Instead, she was given a completely different option—one she actually wanted | Filter Magazine, USA
Is the Quality of Cocaine Worse in the United States than in Europe?
A new report has investigated claims that the purity of cocaine available in North America is decreasing, speaking to drug users, traffickers, and even a Sinaloa Cartel member to determine the truth | InSight Crime, Colombia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Our response to the Government white paper-‘Swift, Certain, Tough: New Consequences for Drug Possession’
The UK government published a new “Swift, Certain, Tough: New Consequences for Drug Possession” white paper outlining new ‘consequences’ for the possession of recreational drugs. The white paper proposes to reduce demand by targeting recreational drug users, creating a new three tier framework for possession offences | Robin Pollard, UK
UK Drug-Driving arrests have SKYROCKETED to an all time high – here’s why…
The number of arrests UK police forces made for drug driving has more than doubled in the last four years. Lisa Darvill explains what's happened and why we should be concerned | Volteface, UK