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Daily news - 9th November 2022 |
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UK news
Estimated numbers of people prescribed opioid substitution therapy in Scotland
In 2021/22, Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) was prescribed to an estimated minimum of 29,600 people in Scotland. This was a small increase compared to the 2020/21 estimate (29,416) | Public Health Scotland, UK
Drug checking services make festivals safer, research shows
New research has found that drug checking services at festivals reduce the possibility of drug-related harm, provide opportunities for targeted health interventions amongst higher risk drug users and, on balance, do not result in increased quantities of drugs being consumed | University of Liverpool, UK
Scottish Health Survey 2021 published
Twelve per cent of adults reported using drugs in the previous 12 months. Prevalence was highest amongst those aged 16-24 (22%). Mental wellbeing for adults who had used any drug in the last 12 months was significantly lower than for those who had not (WEMWBS mean scores of 45.4 and 49.1 respectively) | Scottish Government, UK
Psychedelic drug research held back by UK rules and attitudes, say scientists
Active ingredient of magic mushrooms still classified as having no medical value, despite clinical success | Guardian, UK
Stop and Search: The Evidence
Crest Advisory have released findings from one of the largest polls of its kind showing support for the principle of stop and search - but significant concern about how the police use it in practice, particularly among Black people and those of a Mixed ethnic background | Crest Advisory, UK
Scotland urged to take inspiration from New Zealand to end smoking
A researcher from the University of Otago is urging the Scottish Government to adopt a 'radical' approach | STV News, UK
Isle of Man to ban sale of vapes to those aged under 18
Laws to ban the sale of vaping products and e-cigarettes to young people on the Isle of Man are being worked up, the cabinet office minister has said | BBC, UK
Transform Drugs Event @ Newcastle Cathedral
Thu, November 10, 2022, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM GMT. Re-evaluating our thinking about drugs - why change is needed and what realistically can we do? Newcastle Cathedral is hosting this event in response to the escalating number of drug deaths within the UK and the North East in particular | Transform, UK
Police find £20m of cannabis after investigating power cuts in Rotherham
More than 20,000 cannabis plants with a street value of more than £20.5million have been uncovered after a police investigation into power cuts in Rotherham | ITV, UK
International news
The Missing Guests at COP27? Drug Barons
As global leaders meet at COP27, they could do worse than offer members of Transnational Organised Crime a seat at the table | Novara Media, UK
Football fans could get 'lager shampoo' if alcohol ban is lifted, says police chief
Chief Constable Mark Roberts said the prospect of fans throwing drinks in the air when celebrating is not "conducive" for families who want to attend games | BBC, UK
N Dakota, Arkansas reject legal marijuana, Maryland approves
Voters have approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and rejected it in Arkansas and North Dakota in elections seen as a test of legalization’s support in even the most conservative parts of the country | Independent, UK
Queensland eases alcohol restrictions for Cape York community amid trend away from prohibition
Equivalent of 12 cans of mid-strength beer can be carried in Pormpuraaw, leaving just five ‘dry’ communities | Guardian, UK
Schools urged to halt training of teachers about alcohol funded by the drink industry
Schools are to be urged to avoid sending their teachers to training developed by Drinkaware, an organisation that receives most of its funding through donations from the alcohol industry | Irish Examiner, Ireland
Some drug users may not face prosecution for personal use under new recommendation
A high-level task force set up to look at mental health and addiction within the criminal justice system has recommended gardaí be given the power to caution for such drugs, provided they are for personal use | Irish Examiner, Ireland
A skin-stroking device could help curb alcohol cravings
Aalto University researchers are developing a device that helps support sobriety in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychosocial treatments and pharmaceuticals | Medical Xpress, USA
Here's Where Legal Drugs Are on the Ballot
Recreational cannabis could be legal in nearly half the United States very soon | VICE, USA
New Survey Details The Growing Importance Of Cannabis For Thanksgiving Celebrations
With the holiday season quickly approaching, cannabis consumers are gearing up to include the herb in their celebrations, according to a new survey commissioned by vertically integrated cannabis operator Ayr Wellness and real-time market research firm Suzy | Forbes, USA
A Long-Awaited Harm Reduction Gathering in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico was the location for the National Harm Reduction Conference from October 13-16—the first to take place since 2018. The event, which is biennial in normal times, risked cancellation following the devastation of Hurricane Fiona, but ultimately went ahead with a record 2,800 people in attendance | Filter Magazine, USA
Philippines Vaping Policy Could Be a Model for the Rest of Asia
Amid intensifying debate over the regulation of novel nicotine products, the Philippines—despite being known for the murderous drug war waged by former President Rodrigo Duterte—has charted a regulatory course that could be a template for other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia and beyond | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Using models disconnected from reality to justify huge ‘endgame’ interventions
New Zealand is planning to introduce so-called ‘endgame’ measures, including the removal of nicotine from legally available tobacco. We examine and review the modelling used to justify the measure and find multiple fatal flaws | Counterfactual blog, UK
How to Talk to Kids About Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl
[Possible paywall] In September, two 15-year-old Los Angeles girls overdosed on fentanyl, one of them fatally, after they purchased what they thought were prescription opioid pills. Although most overdose deaths occur among adults, teen opioid fatalities have doubled in recent years, even as opioid use among adolescents has plummeted | NYTimes opinion, USA
Gay and Alcoholic: A Lost Autobiography
Robert Hutton’s Of Those Alone (London: Sidgwick and Jackson, 1958) may be the earliest memoir of a gay alcoholic writer | Points blog, USA