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Daily news - 27th October 2023 |
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UK news
Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England - survey
We're inviting all mainstream secondary schools to take part in our upcoming Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use in Young People survey. The results will provide valuable information to better understand behaviours in young people and to help develop policies and plan new initiatives | NHS Digital, UK
Drinking Check
NEW. Our Drinking Check is an alcohol self-assessment that can help you identify if the amount you drink could be putting your health at serious risk. We use a tool developed by the WHO, called 'AUDIT', that is used internationally by medical professionals to check for alcohol harm, including dependence | DrinkAware, UK
WithYou Darlington service declares hepatitis C micro-elimination - video
NHS England has set a target to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025. As part of a partnership with Gilead Sciences, WithYou has committed to micro-eliminate hepatitis C in 12 of their blood-borne virus commissioned services. Our Darlington service achieved micro-elimination in October 2023 - watch to discover how they did it and hear the inspiring stories and experiences shared by staff and clients | With You, UK
We have launched our new consultancy arm
Today, we launch Drug Science Consultancy, to provide research advice and consultancy services to businesses, governments and other stakeholders in all drug-related areas, with particular emphasis on the emerging cannabis and psychedelic medicine markets | Drug SCience, UK
Drugs deaths: Warning from family of Caitlin McLaughlin
The family of a teenage girl who died after taking an ecstasy tablet at a concert have warned other young people about the dangers of experimenting with drugs | BBC, UK
Alcohol: Going sober in my 20s has dramatically changed my life
Emily said social media had played a big part in her journey | BBC, UK
Addiction Awareness Week 2023
October 28th - 4th November. This year's theme is 'Everybody Knows Somebody' and we are calling on our followers, advocates and champions to support this year's campaign by debunking some of the myths about addiction | Forward Trust, UK
Priorities for Scottish Drugs Research: 2024 and beyond
Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:00 - 12:00 GMT. Online. The Drugs Research Network for Scotland (DRNS) is holding an online event to discuss the priorities for Scottish drugs research | DRNS, UK
Underworld: Behind the Scenes of the NCA - The Crime Lord - podcast
Underworld’s first episode delves into the life and crimes of Robert Dawes, a dangerous international criminal kingpin, who used violence and corrupt officials to traffick huge shipments of drugs from South America to Europe and the UK | NCA, UK
Raid uncovers cannabis plants in 'quiet village'
Officers visited a property in Park Lane, Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire, at about 18:00 BST on Monday after reports of a "strong smell of cannabis" | BBC, UK
International news
Smoking cessation trials with Zoe Swithenbank - podcast
In this episode, Rob Calder talks to Zoe Swithenbank about her recent article looking at how to improve research reports on smoking cessation trials. Zoe talks about the challenges of organising an international meeting of experts before the COVID-19 pandemic (before people were used to online working). She talks about some common errors and omissions that researchers make when reporting smoking cessation trials and how these can place limits on scientific progress | SSA, UK
TikTok star who bragged of jet-setting lifestyle jailed in Peru for drug smuggling
Modou Adams, 25, was found guilty of trying to smuggle cocaine to London | Independent, UK
The association between alcohol intake and obesity in a sample of the Irish adult population, a cross-sectional study
The obesity epidemic is one of the most serious public health challenges of the twenty-first century. Alcohol has been studied as a possible risk factor for obesity, but the evidence is discordant. This study examined the association between alcohol consumption and obesity in a sample of the Irish adult population | BMC Public Health, Ireland
UB researcher receives $3.2 million grant to study impact of cannabis on immunotherapy
A UB psychologist has received a $3.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to assess how cannabis use affects patients who receive immunotherapy, a rapidly advancing treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer | University of Buffalo, USA
COVID-19 pandemic and prison compounded risk of overdose deaths by up to 50%, study finds
People in Ontario who had recently been incarcerated were at far greater risk of opioid toxicity death during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study from a Simon Fraser University researcher | Medical Xpress, USA
Brazil scientists developing new 'vaccine' for cocaine addiction
Scientists in Brazil, the world's second-biggest consumer of cocaine, have announced the development of an innovative new treatment for addiction to the drug and its powerful derivative crack: a vaccine | Medical Xpress, USA
US government says it plans to go after legal goods tied to illegal fentanyl trade in new strategy
As overdose deaths continue at a record pace, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a new government-wide strategy Thursday involving scores of agencies that will target the precursor materials used by traffickers to make fentanyl and other synthetic drugs | Medical Xpress, USA
Philly Mayor Candidate Wants National Guard to “Shut Down” Drug Markets
The Democratic candidate for mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker, is promising to bring the National Guard onto the streets of Kensington as a response to drug sales. This militarized approach would appall opponents of the drug war, who instead demand services, safety and housing for people in need | Filter Magazine, USA
Australian Drug Trends 2023: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews
The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) is an illicit drug monitoring system which has been conducted in all states and territories of Australia since 2003, and forms part of Drug Trends. In 2023, we have provided a suite of products with the most up-to-date findings from interviews conducted annually from 2003 to 2023 with a cross-sectional sentinel group of people who regularly use ecstasy and other stimulants recruited from all capital cities of Australia | NDARC, Australia
Australian Drug Trends 2023: Key findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews
The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) is a national illicit drug monitoring system that has been conducted annually since 2000, and is part of Drug Trends. The IDRS interviews people who inject drugs (PWID) from every capital city of Australia and provides an analysis and examination of indicator data sources related to illicit drugs. It is designed to be sensitive to trends, providing data in a timely manner, rather than describing issues in detail. The 2023 IDRS report provides the most up-to-date findings of the IDRS interviews from 2000 to 2023 with people who regularly inject illicit drugs | NDARC, Australia
Alcohol advertising ruled in on review for summer cricket internationals
After sending it upstairs for another look, Nelson City Councillors have reversed a decision to block alcohol advertising at international cricket matches this summer | Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
Blogs, comment and opinion
Media factsheet: Nitrous Oxide ban
This factsheet outlines the changes in the law regarding Nitrous Oxide and the government rationale behind these changes | Home Office blog, UK
Attending party conferences sober: here are 5 things I learned
In this blog, Lisa, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the AHA details her experience of attending party conferences sober, and considers wider questions about alcohol in the workplace and Westminster | AHA blog, UK
From Ego to Eco: The Environmentally Transformative Power of Psychedelics
Psychedelics have long been a subject of fascination and controversy. From their use in ancient rituals to their resurgence in modern therapeutic settings, these substances have the potential to offer profound insights and catalyse personal growth. Among the most captivating transformations reported by individuals who have experienced psychedelics is the shift from ego-centred to eco-centred perspectives. It’s important to understand what this change means, how it could be catalysed by psychedelics, and whether they can shift people’s attitudes towards supporting environmental movements | Transform blog, UK
To better understand addiction, students in this course take a close look at liquor in literature
I got the idea for the course when I was writing a chapter on the temperance movement in American literature for my doctoral dissertation. I ended up reading a lot of fiction and poetry about alcohol and the anti-alcohol movement. I thought it would be fun to teach a class that surveyed American literature through a booze-themed lens | Conversation, USA