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Daily news - 5th April 2024 |
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This week, Russell Newcombe, a pioneer of harm reduction, passed away. In his memory, we are posting a link to his landmark article from Druglink in 1987 - we believe the very first article to refer to harm reduction. - High Time for Harm Reduction (PDF)
UK news
Official Statistics: Liver disease profile, April 2024 update
New mortality data for the calendar year 2022 and hospital admission data for the financial year ending 2023 has been added to the liver disease profile, trend data has also been made available. In the past 20 years, the number of premature deaths from alcoholic liver disease has increased by 61.3% in England | OHID, UK
Exploring experiences of accessing support for alcohol issues and suicidal ideation (PDF)
This report has been created as we know the need to improve access to services is currently a priority issue. Around 4 out of 5 people experiencing alcohol dependence are not in treatment, and around two thirds of people who die by suicide are not in touch with mental health services a year before they die. So we wanted to identify in more detail what the barriers are stopping people from accessing mental health and alcohol services, how they appear to those experiencing them, when they are experienced, and how they can be overcome | With You, UK
Vaping – Youth perceptions and attitudes: evidence briefing
This briefing presents our understanding of youth perceptions of and attitudes towards vaping based on a review of the existing literature | Scottish Government, UK
£1.45million awarded for EDEN Project, a trial exploring ketamine for depression with anorexia nervosa
King’s researchers have been awarded the funds the MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme to run a randomised controlled feasibility trial of oral ketamine vs placebo in people with both anorexia nervosa and treatment resistant depression, marking the first time that ketamine has been used in a trial of this kind | KCL, UK
Forward’s new business bootcamp supporting ex-offenders in London
Forward Trust Enterprise Services have a limited number of free spaces available for their upcoming new business bootcamp. In partnership with The Financial Times, Enterprise Services will be holding a one-off information session at 2pm on 24th April 2024 via Microsoft Teams | Forward Trust, UK
Via – New Beginnings – Brent achieves micro-elimination of Hepatitis C
We’re thrilled to announce that our New Beginnings service in Brent has successfully reached the impressive milestone of Hepatitis C micro-elimination | Via, UK
Higher stout consumption driven by female drinkers and low alcohol options
New flavours and desire for more choice help stout consumption in UK increase by 23% between 2021 and 2022 | Guardian, UK
Major cocaine seizure on Jersey-registered boat
More than £55m worth of cocaine has been seized from a Jersey-registered boat in the Caribbean, authorities have confirmed | BBC, UK
Bar loses licence after police drug search
The Rooftop, on Westgate in the city centre, has been stripped of its permission to sell alcohol by a council sub-committee | BBC, UK
International news
Synthetic opioid production in Europe with Paul Griffiths - podcast
In this episode, Dr Elle Wadsworth talks to Paul Griffiths about synthetic drug production in Europe including the differences between lab-made substances and diverted medical drugs. They discuss organised crime and its impact on cocaine production, drug availability and the potential for drug contamination. They also cover fentanyl and the potential for a heroin drought resulting from changes in opium production in Afghanistan | SSA, UK
Australia's Seven Network denies buying interviewee sex and drugs
Australia's most-watched TV network has denied accusations it paid for sex workers and illicit drugs to secure an interview with an alleged rapist | BBC, UK
Breaking the Taboo – Discussing Drug Regulation at the UN
In this short film, produced at the 67th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, we give you an overview of the latest developments of drug policy reform across the globe | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Smoker’s face: scan estimates age of buyer at cigarette stores
Smokers in some parts of the Netherlands are being asked to have a face scan to see if they are old enough to buy cigarettes, the AD reported on Thursday | Dutch News, The Netherlands
France Takes Another Step Toward Banning E-Cigarettes
On Thursday, March 21, French lawmakers reached an agreement on a bill that proposes the prohibition of disposable e-cigarettes by the end of 2024 | MedScape, USA
Vaping additives harm a vital membrane in the lungs, researchers find
Writing in the journal Langmuir, Concordia researchers show how the e-cigarette additive tocopherol—an organic compound better known as vitamin E—and tocopherol acetate can damage the lungs | Medical Xpress, USA
Research explores liberalization of medical marijuana and mental health in the US
The approval of marijuana for medical use has had little effect on the mental health of the general population in the US. But legalization for therapeutic purposes does benefit those for whom it is intended. This is the conclusion of a study by researchers at the University of Basel. The research is published in the journal Health Economics, Policy and Law | Medical Xpress, USA
FDA faces backlash over approval of genetic test for opioid addiction risk
In a letter to the agency, a group of experts called on the commissioner to revoke its approval, saying the test doesn't work | nbc news, USA
New York court strikes down marijuana marketing rules
The ruling is the latest blow to the troubled rollout of the state’s recreational market | Politico, USA
Activists Pushing for Pennsylvania to Finally Authorize Syringe Programs
Pennsylvania harm reduction activists will rally at the State Capitol in Harrisburg on April 8, demanding that state lawmakers protect public health by authorizing syringe service programs (SSP). Pennsylvania is one of just 10 states not to have done so; its six neighbors—including Ohio and West Virginia—all have. A bill currently being considered by the legislature could change that, although lawmakers have previously failed to pass similar measures | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Touching fentanyl won’t kill you. Why won’t cops and policymakers get the memo?
The myth that fentanyl is deadly to the touch won’t die. This falsehood has devastating consequences | Salon commentary, USA