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Daily news - 17th May 2023 |
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UK news
£14bn a year up in smoke – economic toll of smoking in England revealed
The £14bn annual toll of smoking on the nation’s economy is disclosed... amid growing calls for a levy on big tobacco companies | ASH, UK
Debate on access to psilocybin treatments
A debate has been scheduled for 18 May on access to psilocybin treatments. The subject for the debate has been chosen by the Backbench Business Committee, and the debate will be opened by Charlotte Nichols MP, Crispin Blunt MP and Ronnie Cowan MP. Download the Research Briefing for the debate | House of Commons Library, UK
NHS stop smoking services quarterly
This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on NHS Stop Smoking Services in Scotland and their progress towards their annual Local Delivery Plan (LDP) Standard. The LDP Standard for NHS Scotland in 2022/23 is to achieve at least 7,026 self-reported successful twelve-week quits through smoking cessation services in the 40% most deprived areas | Public Health Scotland, UK
High frequency of long-term opioid use among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases initiating opioids for the first time
[Open access] People living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are frequently prescribed opioids to manage pain and represent a large subpopulation of patients at increased risk of long-term opioid use. A proportion of patients with RMDs newly prescribed an opioid will transition to long-term opioid use, which can be associated with opioid dependence, abuse and harm | BMJ, UK
Alcoholism and Obesity: Death
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 24 April 2023 to Questions 181813 and 181814, what estimate he has made of when the UK Statistics Authority will publish that information for 2022 | They work for you, UK
State of the Family Support Sector 2023 - survey
The purpose of this survey is to look at the state of play of drug and alcohol family support in terms of delivery, sustainability, funding and partnerships. We intend to find out what has changed since our previous State of the Sector report in 2019. This survey will run until Wednesday 17th May 2023 after which point the findings will be written up into a report and disseminated nationally. This survey is open to any employee of an organisation which provides support for families affected by substance use | Adfam, UK
British American Tobacco appoints new chief executive as as analysts predict something’s ‘not right’ at BAT
British American Tobacco appointed finance director Tadeu Marroco as CEO on Monday, succeeding Jack Bowles who is stepping down after about four years | City AM, UK
Busted's Matt Willis: I’m nervous about my kids seeing my drug and alcohol past
The Busted musician tells the BBC the "ripple effect of addiction is huge" on families and loved ones | BBC, UK
International news
Vaping boom and bust: from bans to starter kits, how the world is responding
Rise of disposable e-cigarettes has focused regulators around the world on what they fear is an explosion of vaping among young people | Guardian, UK
Italian police find huge cocaine stash hidden in banana crates
Police in southern Italy say they have seized 2,700kg (2.7 tonnes) of cocaine hidden in banana crates shipped from Ecuador | BBC, UK
Malaysia moves to decriminalise drug possession in major shift for southeast Asian country
Those found guilty will be sent to rehabilitation centres in order to bring down prison population | Independent, UK
Surge in juvenile drug-dealing sparks alarm among youth workers
Frontline youth workers are alarmed at the rise in young boys being sucked into the drugs trade after new figures show drug-dealing offences by juveniles have almost doubled in five years | Irish Examiner, Ireland
Urgent need for implementation of health warning labels on alcohol products
Implement labelling regulations provided for under the Public Health Alcohol Act (2018) without further delay, experts say amid concern for alcohol-related diseases and conditions | Alcohol Action Ireland, Ireland
Coming soon: European Drug Report 2023 to be released on 16 June
How many new drugs were detected in Europe over the last year? What are the latest trends in drug production and trafficking? What substances are causing the most concern today? Find out more when the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) launches its European Drug Report 2023: Trends and Developments in a press conference in Brussels on 16 June | EMCDDA, Portugal
ToxIC Fentalog Study Group - Quarterly NPS Report: Q2 2023
Results were reported from 7 sites (including 2 new sites) across the United States. Geographical differences were observed for opioids, poly-drug use, NPS and xylazine. Fentanyl overwhelming remains the most commonly detected opioid nationally. Numerous NPS were detected, including metonitazene, N-desethyl isotonitazene, bromazolam, N,N-dimethylpentylone, and more | CFSRE, USA
Short science-backed messages could be an effective way to discourage cannabis use during pregnancy
In a new study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, researchers at Washington State University found that conveying simple, scientific facts about how THC can harm a fetus was associated with reduced intentions to use cannabis while pregnant. This held true for messaging that was written to a group of women, aged 18-40, in either a narrative, story-based format or a non-narrative, factual-based one | News Medical, USA
Fentanyl fuels string of deadly weekend overdoses in Portland, Oregon
A series of suspected drug overdoses left at least eight people dead over the weekend in Portland, Oregon, according to the city's police bureau | Medical Xpress, USA
Study finds uncertainty and misperceptions about sources of nicotine in e-cigarettes among youth
Using e-cigarettes, or vaping, is highly popular among youth, with more than 2 million high school students using the products, according to the FDA. Recently, manufacturers have started to advertise and sell e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine, which is made in a lab rather than derived from tobacco plants. There has been little research conducted with youth on their awareness of synthetic nicotine, or what the industry increasingly refers to as "tobacco-free" nicotine | News Medical, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Tangaraju Suppiah: The First Execution Notice of 2023
Rocky, a fellow member of the Transformative Justice Collective, called in the afternoon. "I have some bad news," he said. I immediately knew what he was going to say. I just didn't know whose name I would hear on the line next. "Tangaraju got an execution notice today." | Talking Drugs, UK
Vaughn Palmer: B.C. NDP dragged into admitting public drug-use is a problem
Opinion: Premier finally admits something must be done to curb drug use in public places where children are present, such as parks | Vancouver Sun, Canada