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Daily news - 14th March 2023 |
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UK news
Reducing drug Deaths Innovation Challenge - applications reminder
Organisations can apply for a share of £5 million inclusive of VAT. This is to deliver innovations addressing key drug related overdose priorities across two competitions. Competition closes: Friday 21 April 2023 11:00am. A recording of the launch event is available to view on demand here | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology & Department of Health and Social Care, UK
Ben Nelson-Roux death: Coroner's fears over hostel shortage for young drug users
A coroner has criticised the lack of accommodation for young people with substance abuse problems after the death of a teenager in an adult hostel. Ben Nelson-Roux, 16, who was a drug user, was found dead by his mother at a hostel in Harrogate in April 2020 | BBC, UK
Caroline Lucas calls for safe drugs van in Brighton
An MP is calling for a safe space for drug users where they can go without fear of arrest | Brighton and Hove Argus, UK
Vapes: How easy is it to buy an illegal one?
Illegal vapes are being seized at an unprecedented level, and shops selling them have been described by trading standards officers as the biggest threat on the UK's high streets. But how easy are they to get hold of and what is being done to prevent them from reaching the shelves? | BBC, UK
Vaping devices break rules on nicotine strength - audio
Trading Standards officers say one in three vaping products may fall foul of regulations - breaking the rules on nicotine strength and health warnings. They have also raised concerns about sales to children and want higher fines for shops. Today's Justin Webb spoke to a mother and her 15 year-old daughter about her vaping addiction, and to Kate Pike, Lead Officer for Vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, about what can be done about it | BBC Radio 4, UK
International news
Saudi Arabia executes Jordanian man after allegedly giving forced confession
Saudi Arabia has executed a Jordanian man whose family say he was tortured into confessing to drugs charges | BBC, UK
The People Secretly Growing Magic Mushrooms in the Wild
Guerilla gardeners are using squirt guns and spore-infused water to spread hallucinogenic fungi in forests | VICE, UK
1st meeting - 66th Session Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs discusses all drug-related matters and adopts resolutions and decisions thereon. It brings substances under international control under the International Drug Control Conventions. The 66th session also features a large programme of side events and exhibitions | UN, Austria
Sixty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
The Sixty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) takes place in Vienna, Austria,13-17 March 2023. The CND meets every year to discuss the global state of drug control and to adopt resolutions to guide the way forward. The EMCDDA attends the event to provide technical support to the European Commission and the EU Member States | EMCDDA, Portugal
French teenagers are less interested in alcohol, cannabis and tobacco
The consumption of all three substances is down considerably compared to 2017, a new study shows, although the use of e-cigarettes is up | Connexion, France
Florida’s Complicated Prospects of Cannabis Legalization
Anew poll shows that a large majority of people in Florida want cannabis legalized for adult use. But efforts to legalize in the Sunshine State have faced major barriers over the years. The current target for a ballot measure is 2024. But it’s far from a sure thing, and the specifics of the measure in question are highly controversial | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Associate Feature: It is time to prioritise alcohol harm prevention over industry interests
There is no doubt about it, Scotland is facing a crisis with alcohol. Every day, almost 3 people lose their lives and 100 people are hospitalised purely because of alcohol | Holyrood comment, UK
The public wants more done to improve health and wellbeing – so why isn’t the government acting?
[Possible paywall] Addressing smoking, poor diet and harmful alcohol use not only improves an individual’s health and wellbeing, but drives economic growth | Telegraph comment, UK
Recovery-focused interventions: too messy to study?
These last few weeks I’ve seen several people writing on the subject of substance use disorder treatment calling for us ‘to stick with the evidence’ of what works. Research evidence should, quite rightly, inform policy and practice | Recovery Review blog, UK
Breaking the Stigma: Highlights from the 2022 NHS Addictions Provider Alliance’s Annual Conference
The 2022 NHS Addictions Provider Alliance’s annual conference brought together experts from the healthcare industry to address the issue of addiction and the stigma around it. Last year’s conference placed a strong emphasis on reducing the stigma associated with addiction, as it was recognised as a major barrier to seeking help and support | NHS APA blog, UK
The Trip Report 13/03
Through the work of organisations such as WEDINOS, The Loop, and SaferParty, we know a little more about the drugs in circulation. The report provided below is a summary of their findings over the last few weeks | The Trip Report, UK
Czech journalist robert veverka found guilty and fined for publishing cannabis magazine
Robert Veverka, editor-in-chief and sole publisher of Czech cannabis magazine Legalizace speaks about the court ruling and fine | Volteface, UK