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Daily news - 5th December 2023 |
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UK news
DDN December/January 2023
The number of women dying a drug-related death has risen by almost 80 per cent in a decade – yet the number of women seeking treatment has remained about the same (p6). If you need any more reasons to challenge stigma, read on through this month’s issue | DDN, UK
Half of UK drinkers feel their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol
More than half of UK drinkers (56%) feel that their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol according to the Drinkaware’s Annual Monitor, published today (Thursday 30 November). The figure rises to 66% in Scotland, 63% in Northern Ireland, 56% in England but falls to 38% in Wales | Drinkaware, UK
How alcohol became a crutch for professional women
[Seems to be open access] Some high-achieving female workers still drink to prove themselves, but those going sober have found benefits | FT, UK
West Northamptonshire Council: Motion backs e-cigarette restrictions
A council has passed a motion committing to press the government for tighter restrictions on e-cigarettes | BBC, UK
Humankind publishes Impact Report for 2022/23
We are proud to publish our annual report detailing the impact Humankind had on people and communities across England throughout 2022/23 | Humankind, UK
I was trafficked by drug gangs as a child, shot at and stabbed 11 times. Here is how I escaped
Sosa Henkoma was eight when he ran away from violence at home - and just 12 when he was given his first gun. He describes how fatherhood, therapy and sheer luck saved him | Guardian, UK
Sheffield teacher struck off after admitting taking heroin
Neil Hansford, who taught maths at High Storrs School, in Sheffield, admitted using the Class A drug on one or more occasions between April and June 2022 | BBC, UK
International news
French politics is awash with drink and drugs, says MP
[Possible paywall] Caroline Janvier says pointless late-night sessions and constant pressure producing ‘deviant behaviour’ from lawmakers | Telegraph, UK
France's parliament considers a ban on single-use e-cigarettes
The ban, supported Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau, aims to protect the health of youths and mitigate the environmental impacts of the increasingly popular disposable products known as "puffs." | Mail Online, UK
Police believe Neddy Smith behind bones found at Sydney beach organised crime ‘dumping ground’
The bones of butcher Paul Norton and model Mark Johnston – who were both suspected of being involved in the drug trade – were found at Kurnell in the city’s south in October of 2007 and formally identified in 2019 | Guardian, UK
Cosmic Psychos on 40 years of ‘stupid, clever’ punk: ‘I can’t see why I’d not want to get free beer’
Their bludgeoning music has influenced L7, the Chats and Amyl and the Sniffers. But their story is full of humanity – and they care more than they let on | Guardian, UK
Countries that ignore WHO advice show decline in smoking prevalence — expert
Countries that ignored the World Health Organization’s (WHO) advice to enforce prohibitionist policies have experienced the most dramatic decline in smoking prevalence when they adopted a tobacco harm reduction approach instead, international public health policy experts said | Inquirer.net, USA
Increase in child suicide linked to the nation's opioid crisis
The rise in child suicides in the U.S. since 2010 was fueled in part by the nation's opioid crisis, which previous studies found increased rates of child neglect and altered household living arrangements, according to a new RAND Corporation study | Medical Xpress, USA
Cancer patients with opioid use disorder face obstacles to treatment
A cancer diagnosis can greatly disrupt treatment with methadone, a medication used to treat patients with opioid use disorder, according to a perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine by University of Pittsburgh researchers | Medical Xpress, USA
Study finds 1 in 6 patients with opioid use disorder leave the hospital early
The number of patients admitted with opioid use disorder (OUD) and injection-related infections who left the hospital before completing treatment increased significantly between 2016 and 2020 (from 9.3% to 17%), according to analysis from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. One in six of these patients now leave the hospital before their care team deems them safe to do so | Medical Xpress, USA
2011 to 2022 saw little change in smoking prevalence for older adults
Between 2011 and 2022, there were significant decreases in smoking prevalence among younger adults, but not older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in JAMA Health Forum | Medical Xpress, USA
The Hypocrisy of FDA Commissioner Califf’s Stance on Vaping
Earlier this year, Dr. Robert Califf, commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), emerged as a vocal advocate against misinformation in the public health domain | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Responding to Nitazenes in the UK drugs market
We asked Dr Adam Holland and Dr Caroline Copeland to explains what’s happening with the the increasing adulteration of drug supplies with nitazene opioids and what needs to be done to prevent unnecessary deaths | Transform blog, UK
Are e-cigarettes more addictive than tobacco?
All of us are familiar with the scene: a bunch of teenagers absentmindedly puffing away at mango-flavoured vapers. But are these trendy and colourful gadgets actually more addictive than old-school cancer sticks? | Mental Elf blog, UK