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Daily news - 10th October 2023 |
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UK news
Previous psychiatric hospitalizations as risk factors for single and multiple future alcohol-related hospitalizations in patients with alcohol use disorders
[Open access] People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) often have co-occurring psychiatric conditions. The association between psychiatric conditions and AUD relapse has not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to quantify different psychiatric comorbidities as risk factors for first and multiple AUD rehospitalizations in patients already hospitalized once for AUD | Addiction, UK
Mother’s horror as 12 year-old daughter put into induced coma after vaping
Mary Griffin feared her daughter might die as she was rushed to hospital with breathing problems - now she’s backing a Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke campaign to raise awareness about the risks of vaping | Independent, UK
Former Edinburgh addict starts running group for others in recovery
Edinburgh resident and former alcoholic, Robert Rife is due to launch a running group for locals in recovery after watching a documentary about giving people a second chance at life | Edinburgh Live, UK
What's Scarier: Drugs or Drug Policy? - with Prof David Nutt
Tue, 31 Oct 2023 18:30 - 20:00 GMT. A Drug Science Halloween Special, in-person and online in collaboration with the University of York 's Drug Science Student Society | Drug Science, UK
Crime ‘kingpins’ among 400 jailed after Met Police crack ‘secure’ messaging app
The force used data taken from the platform to identify criminals, solve murders and tackle the drug trade | Independent, UK
Weston-super-Mare county lines drug gang sentenced
Eight men have been sentenced to a total of 36 years and nine months for drug offences. Their convictions come after an Avon & Somerset Police operation against drug dealing in Weston-super-Mare | BBC, UK
International news
Paul Pogba: Juventus midfielder's B sample confirms positive drugs test
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba's failed drugs test has been confirmed after his B sample tested positive | BBC, UK
Two RAPEX safety alert notices relating to disposable electronic cigarettes containing illegal levels of nicotine
The HSE’s Environmental Health Service is alerting the public to stop using two e-cigarette products as they contain illegal amounts of nicotine. People can return them to the shop they were bought in and retailers have been asked to stop selling them | HSE, Ireland
France urged to accept the science on how to stop smoking
France’s Parliamentary Office for Scientific and Technological Assessment has concluded that a drastic change in approach is required to get cigarette smokers to stop smoking, A report prepared by members of both chambers of the French Parliament recommends a risk reduction approach that offers smokers the chance to switch to much less harmful electronic cigarettes, writes Political Editor Nick Powell | EU Reporter, Belgium
Alcohol monopolies: what does it take for alcohol monopolies to work?
18 October 2023 13:00 – 14:00. This webinar aims ultimately to raise awareness of the unique advantages of alcohol monopolies, highlight the latest scientific evidence, and create a platform for discussing the future of monopoly systems | WHO, Switzerland
Registration opens for European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools 2024
The EMCDDA and the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) are delighted to open registration today for two upcoming joint events in 2024: the European Drugs Winter School (EDWS) and the European Drugs Summer School (EDSS) | EMCDDA, Portugal
Mind Altering Science
We proudly present our movie featuring interviews with key researchers from the forefront of psychedelic science, filmed at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research in Haarlem, the Netherlands | Drug Reporter, Hungary
“Cheaper than a cup of coffee” - how UNODC’s Synthetic Drug Strategy can be used to curb the threat of synthetic drugs in Southeast Asia and the Pacific
With the right chemicals and know-how, synthetic drugs can be made anywhere by anybody. In many regions – including East and South East Asia – this accessibility has meant an expansion and diversification of synthetic drug production, trafficking, and consumption | UNODC, USA
Researchers describe horrific effects of new drug threat, xylazine, or 'tranq'
An animal sedative approved by the FDA, xylazine has now made its way to the illicitly manufacture fentanyl supply, creating new challenges for physicians caring for its victims | Medical Xpress, USA
SMART alcohol recovery meetings appeal to those with more social, economic stability, lower spiritual leanings: Study
Certain characteristics of people seeking remission from alcohol use disorder (AUD) are linked to their choice of recovery meeting, a new study suggests. Informal peer recovery groups—mutual-help organizations—play a crucial role for many individuals with AUD or other drug disorders. Such groups are proliferating and differ substantially in approach | Medical Xpress, USA
Psychotherapy for addictions: Motivation is key, research finds
Psychotherapeutic approaches are, at best, moderately effective in helping people with substance abuse or addiction problems reduce their dependence. That is the conclusion of a meta-review of the literature by a research team led by Alexandre Dumais, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Addiction at Université de Montréal and a researcher at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal | Medical Xpress, USA
Outcomes associated with nonmedical cannabis legalization policy in Canada: taking stock at the 5-year mark
In October 2018, recreational use of cannabis was legalized in Canada with the primary objectives of improving cannabis-related public health and safety, reducing youth access to cannabis, and reducing cannabis-related crime and illegal markets. Five years after policy implementation, available evidence suggests that outcomes related to health — such as the prevalence of cannabis use, cannabis-related emergency department visits and admissions to hospital and cannabis-impaired driving — have mostly increased or remained steady | CMAJ, Canada
Excessive drinking during the pandemic increased rates of liver disease, transplants
Transplant centers are reporting a rise in patients in need of new livers | abc news, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Belarus Civil Society Condemn Repressive Drug System in Latest Report
Belarusian organisations Legalize Belarus and Youth Bloc, which advocate for humane drug policy and respect for human rights, published a study (in Russian) analysing their country’s drug policy, outlining recommendations for the Government to create alternatives to incarceration and improve conditions for people using drugs | Talking Drugs, UK
Cannabis in Canada: Debunking myths about the real impacts of legalization
Before Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018, there was considerable debate about its potential effects. Some predicted it would trigger an economic “goldrush,” while others worried it would lead to public health “tragedies.” Researchers like myself have since investigated the real effects of legalization. As it turns out, certain trends were already underway before legalization and continued afterward. On the flip side, some changes did not happen as anticipated | Conversation, Canada