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Daily news - 13th March 2023 |
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UK news
SDF Publish Report on Peer Naloxone Supply Project
A new report published by SDF shows the evaluation of the peer-to-peer naloxone programme within three pilot areas: one prison, one rural, one urban.
The project aimed to establish, embed, and support high quality peer supply of naloxone as a core service across Scotland and ensure those involved in peer supply have an active voice in delivery of naloxone and other harm reduction interventions, including the sharing and promotion of good practice | SDF, UK
Alcohol advertising ban considered to tackle deaths - video
Measures to tackle Scotland’s problem with alcohol could see some advertising banned and the way alcohol is sold in shops changing | STV, UK
Optimizing online learning resources for substance use professionals in England: lessons from user-centered design
[Open access] The aim of this study was to identify ways of improving online learning for people working in substance use treatment services in England | DEPP, UK
Sensors reduce student vaping, Kidderminster school says
A headteacher says sensors have reduced the number of students vaping. Matthew Carpenter, from Baxter College, Kidderminster, had the sensors and also CCTV installed to tackle the use of e-cigarettes | BBC, UK
National No Smoking Day — [Clive Efford in the Chair]
Many of us will be well aware that yesterday was No Smoking Day, an annual awareness day in the UK that aims to help people who wish to quit smoking. This year, No Smoking Day is raising awareness of the greatly increased risk of developing dementia that results from tobacco use. Through this debate, I hope that we can raise awareness of the considerable health risks associated with tobacco products | They work for you, UK
‘I was a ghost in my own city for 20 years and nobody noticed'
For a huge portion of his life, John Conway felt like he was lost in his own city. His struggles with addiction led him on a long journey of homelessness that took him years to overcome | STV, UK
Giant poppy sculpture to mark Scottish island's link with opium trade
The artwork is designed to be a striking addition to an island landmark and perhaps attract a selfie or two. But a three-metre tall sculpture of a cluster of poppies has also been designed with the deeper intention of depicting the island’s links to the 19th Century opium trade | Scotsman, UK
Psychedelics & PTSD: On the Frontline - at the University of Manchester
15 March 2023, 18:00 – 21:15 GMT There is a growing body of evidence pointing to the benefits of psychedelic therapy for those who suffer the debilitating effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In this event hosted by Drugscience and OEV Partners, we’ll learn about the science behind why psychedelics represent the most significant innovation in mental health treatment for decades, as well as hearing compelling and moving testimony from lived experience advocates who have journeyed abroad to seek out life changing and life saving therapy | Drug Science, UK
International news
Who Invented Mephedrone? A Brief History of Research Chemicals
You can thank rogue chemists, labs and the “Godfather of Ecstasy” for drugs like MCAT, 2C-E and 2C-B | VICE, UK
26 Young Americans Caught With Suitcases Full of Weed At UK Airports in 2 Months
Bringing bulk amounts of weed on flights has previously been viewed as high risk with relatively low return. VICE World News looks at what could be behind this phenomenon | VICE, UK
Bollinger launches £350 champagne to meet soaring demand
Luxury brand capitalises after shipments hit record £5.3bn despite cost of living crisis | Guardian, UK
From Bad to Worse? Drug Use and Treatment in Afghanistan (PDF)
In comparison to opium production, since 2002 relatively little attention has been given to the issue of drug use and treatment within Afghanistan | GDPO, UK
Queensland to hold inquiry into health risks of e-cigarettes amid concerns some contain toxic chemicals
More knowledge needed about whether vaping is a ‘stepping stone’ to smoking and to raise awareness of harmful effects among youth, premier says | Guardian, UK
Helping family members affected by a relative’s substance use or gambling: an evaluation study of the 5-Step Method delivered in the Netherlands
Research over many years indicates that individuals with problematic alcohol or drug use or gambling disorders can cause considerable burden on family members. And yet, affected family members (AFMs) are largely neglected in research, health and social care policy and provision. To address the needs of AFMs of people struggling with a substance use or gambling disorder, the 5-Step Method was developed | DEPP, UK
Kentucky Takes Steps Toward Decriminalizing Fentanyl Test Strips
Abipartisan bill in Kentucky would decriminalize fentanyl test strips. In early March, House Bill 353, introduced by Rep. Kimberly Moser (R), unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee. It’s now in the hands of the state Senate, which, like the House, is Republican-controlled | Filter Magazine, USA
How Jamaica’s Medical Cannabis Market Abandons Traditional Farmers
The landscape of Jamaica’s medical cannabis industry may be shifting. After a Canadian company recently exported cannabis into Jamaica—undercutting the already-limited local market, while still not allowing Jamaica to export its own products into Canada—“uproar from local ganja farmers” compelled legislators to make promises of long-overdue regulatory reform, according to the Jamaica Observer. We will see whether those promises are kept | Filter Magazine, USA
Naloxone training planned for firefighters in Wellesley and Woolwich townships
Firefighters in the townships of Wellesley and Woolwich are scheduled to be trained by the end of this year on how to administer naloxone in suspected overdose cases | CBC News, Canada
Queensland panel to look at vaping and recommend legislation
A parliamentary inquiry will look into the health risks of vaping and how many young people are using e-cigarettes in a bid to further slash smoking rates | The New Daily, Australia
Smoking rates surge during COVID-19
University of Queensland researchers have found nicotine consumption in Australia increased by 30 per cent during the early stages of COVID-19 | University of Queensland, Australia
The shed where border officials take on the drug trade to Australia
Inside a shed in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, senior Australian Border Force officer Joel Scantlebury inspects a shipment of coffee beans that has arrived in Victoria by courier from a country in East Africa earlier that morning | The Age, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Enforced alcohol abstinence: does it reduce reoffending?
In this blog, ADR UK Research Fellow Dr Carly Lightowlers describes how she is using de-identified, administrative data to explore how alcohol-related treatment or monitoring requirements are being used and whether these are reducing reoffending | ADR UK blog, UK
Through the looking glass: psychedelic medicine in the uk
What does the future of psychedelic medicine look like in the UK? What treatments might be available? How could they be accessed? | Volteface, UK
Overdose deaths, COVID-19, and Hurricane Katrina - podcast
Rob Calder is joined on the Addictions Edited podcast by Nicky Kalk and Caroline Copeland, to talk about their study of deaths related to methadone and buprenorphine during the COVID-19 pandemic, parallels between Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic for prescribing practices, and how to mitigate the risks of ‘life-saving’ treatments | SSA, UK
Debs' story: Dry January was the reset button I needed
After drinking regularly for over 25 years, Debs has reset her relationship with alcohol after signing up to Dry January with Alcohol Change UK | Alcohol Change UK, UK