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Daily news - 4th April 2023 |
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UK news
DDN April 2023
We talk about ‘the workforce’ and there are new strategies on the way – so it’s been interesting to look at the first census of its kind in England. It gives a snapshot of who we are – and shows that lived experience has become an important part of the workforce. The peer team distributing naloxone pouches (page 16) demonstrate the passion and connectivity that’s so important – and those with lived experience are involved in the project on an equal footing and paid properly | DDN, UK
Alcohol and Intimate Partner Relationships: Research Study (PDF)
The report looks at the experiences and needs of adults who are affected by the drinking of an intimate partner. It focuses on the tensions, harms and negative effects this drinking can have on a relationship, as well as the support available and the barriers to engaging with, and accessing, these services. It builds on established research into alcohol and intimate partner violence, in order to expand on the issues surrounding relationships and alcohol | Adfam, UK
Cocaine damage routinely misdiagnosed as non-threatening nasal disease, finds study
A new paper in Rheumatology Advances in Practice indicates that granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a nasal disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and commonly presents with symptoms in sinuses, throat, lungs, and kidneys, may be commonly misdiagnosed. Researchers believe that many patients identified with the sinus and nasal-limited form of the disease may actually be suffering from nasal damage due to cocaine usage | Medical Xpress, UK
Why does the UK government want to ban laughing gas? - podcast
The UK government recently announced plans to make the possession of laughing gas for recreational use a criminal offence. Nitrous oxide, also known as “nos”, is hugely popular among young people, and doctors have raised concerns about a rise in cases of nerve damage linked to the use of the drug. Ian Sample speaks to science correspondent Nicola Davis about the reasons behind the ban, the risks associated with using nitrous oxide and what experts have made of the government’s decision | Guardian, UK
EDP to fully merge into parent charity Humankind
EDP has proudly supported people in the South West since 1984, and as a subsidiary of Humankind since April 2020. The two charities have worked closely together, with EDP drawing on Humankind’s national scale and expertise. As closely aligned charities, EDP will now take the next step in integration by merging fully into its parent charity on 1 July of this year | DDN, UK
New research-backed safer injecting resources available for free
We are delighted to announce the release of a new set of safer injecting materials we were part of creating. The materials were co-produced by people who inject drugs, service providers, including ourselves and key stakeholders, including researchers from the University of Bristol, Exchange Supplies and Linnell Communications | BDP, UK
Vaping: Anti-smoking project under way at Cornwall school
A pilot scheme has been launched at a school in Cornwall which aims to reduce the number of pupils who smoke or vape | BBC, UK
Survey: Innovation in Hepatitis C Services
We know that across the UK, people are developing a range of new approaches to prevent, diagnose and test for hepatitis C. Through this survey - co-designed by HCV Action and The Hepatitis C Trust - we are hoping to capture the national picture and support recognition and dissemination of innovative and interesting practice. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. You do not have to answer every question if some do not feel relevant to you | Hepatitis C Trust, UK
County lines: Are the UK’s drug laws fuelling child exploitation?
The UK has a serious child exploitation crisis. County lines – the term that has come to describe the use of children by drug-dealing gangs – is on the rise. And many believe our drug policies are to blame | Open Democracy, UK
Nitrous oxide: Cardiff probe striker's laughing gas video
Cardiff City are investigating a video which appears to show Connor Wickham inhaling laughing gas from a balloon | BBC, UK
Haverhill £8m cocaine haul: Romanian man denies involvement
A man is to stand trial on drugs charges after cocaine with an estimated street value of £8m was found in a lorry container | BBC, UK
International news
Psychedelic therapies are returning to psychiatry
Professor Erika Dyck, Canada Research Chair in History of Health & Social Justice at the University of Saskatchewan, looks to psychedelic therapies outside the pharmaceutical industry to aid mental illness | Open access government, UK
Drug overdose deaths ‘quadrupled’ among older US adults over last two decades, study warns
‘Quadrupling of fatal overdoses among older adults should be considered in evolving policies’ | Independent, UK
The winners (and losers) at the World Alcohol-Free Awards
[Seems to be open access] Our drinks writer was on this year’s panel of judges. Here’s what she learnt | FT, UK
Racial, Ethnic, and Education Differences in Age of Smoking Initiation Among Young Adults in the United States, 2002 to 2019
Declines in smoking prevalence and increases in the age of smoking initiation occurred more slowly for young adults with less formal education, widening existing education disparities between 2002 and 2019. Black young adults had lower smoking prevalence and older age of smoking initiation than White young adults. However, declines in smoking prevalence and increases in the age of smoking initiation occurred more slowly for this group | JAMA Network Open, USA
Assessment of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems With Cigarette Use and Self-reported Wheezing in the US Adult Population
Using 2013 to 2019 data from a cohort study of 17 075 participants in the US, this study found that ENDS use is not associated with increased odds of reporting wheezing independent of cigarette smoking | JAMA Network Open, USA
Vaping in Australia: Study explores e-cigarette exposure and calls for stronger control measures
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the negative health consequences of e-cigarettes and the possibility that tobacco consumption is renormalized through public exposure to vaping. As a result, Australia has adopted a precautionary approach to regulating e-cigarettes | News Medical, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Blue Bag Life review – raw self-portrait of a life dogged by other people’s addiction
Shot mostly on her mobile phone, Lisa Selby documents her troubled childhood and her partner’s journey from heroin to recovery in this moving memoir | Guardian, UK