Home | Archive | Weekly | Reports
Daily news - 21st June 2023 |
 |
UK news
Significant improvements to drug treatments highlighted in benchmarking report - press release
Public Health Scotland has published the 2022/23 benchmarking report on the progress Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADP) in Scotland are making to meet the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards. MAT refers to the use of medication, such as opioids, together with psychological and social support, in the treatment and care of individuals who experience problems with their drug use | Public Health Scotland, UK
National benchmarking report on implementation of the medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards
This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) is a benchmarking report on the progress that Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in Scotland are making to meet the medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards. The report includes recommended actions to address gaps | Public Health Scotland, UK
UK festivals: What's going on with drug testing in 2023?
Chloe was at a music festival last summer when word got out that a boy had been found dead in his tent from a suspected drug overdose | BBC, UK
Disposable vapes cause fires and cost taxpayer, English and Welsh councils say
Single-use E-cigarettes difficult to recycle and cause fires in bin lorries, Local Government Association says | Guardian, UK
What it takes to run a LERO - podcast (spotify)
Recovery Connections join us to discuss what it takes to run a LERO - Lived Experience Recovery Organisation | Dave Higham Lived Experience, UK
Ripping up the rulebook - survey
Do you work in or receive substance use services? Please take part in this new research study led by Dr Fay Dennis (Goldsmiths, University of London), funded by the Wellcome Trust. The study explores the changes and innovations that took place in services following the outbreak of COVID-19 and what has happened since. It is vital that learning is not lost. Take part by completing this short online survey, with raffle prize entry | University of London, UK
Stop and search: Suella Braverman urges forces to 'ramp up' measure
The home secretary has told police leaders to "ramp up" the use of stop-and-search powers to prevent more knife attacks and "save more lives" | BBC, UK
Stop and Search
Suella Braverman: With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the police’s use of stop and search... | They work for you, UK
Drugs: Misuse
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made on effectiveness of the Additional drug and alcohol treatment funding allocations 2022 to 2023 in supporting universal drug treatment | They work for you, UK
The buildings constructed from cannabis
In search of sustainable materials, architects are turning to an unusual source: hemp | BBC Future, UK
Former MP David Warburton claims he's been 'hounded' out of government after taking cocaine
A Somerset politician who admitted taking cocaine has accused colleagues of 'hounding' him out of power | ITV, UK
International news
2023 Global Day of Action: Reclaiming people power for sustainable alternatives to the ‘war on drugs’
26 June 2023. For over a decade, the Support. Don’t Punish campaign has resourced a global, decentralised network of change-makers in drug policy reform and harm reduction | IDPC, UK
Night Owls Tend to Die Sooner. But It's Not Late Bedtimes Killing Them
A large study covering 37 years from start to finish has revealed something about those who tend to stay up late: These night owls are more likely to die at a younger age, but due to smoking and drinking-related causes rather than how late they go to bed | Science Alert, UK
‘They’ll Figure Out Where You Live’: The Rise of Europe’s New Drug Cartels
I spent a year investigating the cocaine cartels that have taken root in Europe and ushered in a new era of violent crime not seen since Italy’s struggle with La Cosa Nostra in the 1980s | VICE, UK
Alcohol use among older adults in Scandinavian countries found to be increasing
A large proportion of older people state that they drink alcohol twice a week or more and the difference in alcohol use between men and women is getting smaller, according to researchers at the University of Agder | Medical Xpress, USA
'Tranq': the flesh-rotting drug adding to America's opioid crisis
Opioid addict Martin has seen the deadly fentanyl replace heroin as the most prevalent drug in New York. Now he's trying to avoid "tranq," a flesh-eating drug increasingly causing concern across America | Medical Xpress, USA
Stark racial and ethnic disparities in alcohol-related US deaths during COVID, study reveals
Alcohol-related deaths rose disproportionately quickly in the US among Black, Hispanic, Asian and American-Indian/Alaska Native populations at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research shows | Medical Xpress, USA
Legalise Cannabis party introduces personal use bills in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia
The bills have been introduced to the states' upper houses and will need support from major parties to become law | abc.net.au, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
The Drugs Strategy – Collective Voice analysis of early implementation for the NAO
The National Audit Office (NAO) is undertaking a value-for-money assessment of the government’s ten-year Drugs Strategy From Harm to Hope, looking at how well the strategy is delivering on its aims to reduce the harms from illegal drugs. After discussions with our Leadership Group which includes our sponsoring organisations and representatives from the wider field, Collective Voice has submitted written evidence to the NAO’s audit. Our submission outlines the impact so-far that the strategy and funding is having on voluntary organisations delivering treatment and recovery services | Collective Voice blog, UK
Can alcohol duties be used to reduce the rate of violence injury?
What has the general price of alcohol got to do with the rate of violent injury? It turns out – quite a lot. It is well-accepted that there is a link between alcohol consumption and violence, but epidemiologists have struggled to establish a causal link | IAS blog, UK
Could a binge drinker be taken seriously as health secretary?
We don’t need a paragon of virtue, but we do need someone who can lead by example, writes one reader in response to Wes Streeting saying he’s a binge drinker on nights out | Guardian letters, UK
No doctor thinks ‘the odd spliff’ is disastrous but cannabis use disorder is a real problem
Doctors must play a role in the desperately needed cannabis debate – shouting them down doesn’t help | Irish Times opinion, Ireland
Why are we paying so much for alcohol-free drinks that aren’t taxed?
Dry July, an Australian fundraising campaign to support people affected by cancer, is almost here again. The premise is that abstaining from booze and hangovers for a month frees up money to donate | Conversation, Australia