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Daily news - 24th April 2024

UK news

New high nicotine vaping tax could drive riskier habits

Proposed new taxes on nicotine vaping products that increase with nicotine strength may have unintended negative health consequences, according to researchers at London South Bank University | LSBU, UK

National naloxone programme Scotland - Quarterly monitoring bulletin

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on the number of take-home naloxone kits issued by the National Naloxone Programme (NNP) in Scotland. Figures are presented separately for kits issued from community outlets, kits issued in prisons at the point of liberation, kits dispensed via community prescription, and kits issued by Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) | PHS, UK

Is standardised packaging an alternative to nation-wide vape ban?

A senior lecturer at King’s College London has suggested that alternative legislative methods, such as a ban on colourful vape packaging, could be implemented instead of an outright ban on the sale of disposable vapes | SW Londoner, UK

Elfbar: Vape firm claims it will survive UK disposable ban

The company behind two of the UK's most popular vape brands says new reusable versions leave it "well-equipped" to deal with the upcoming ban on disposables, despite concerns over producers exploiting "loopholes" | BBC, UK

Supporting drug and alcohol related treatment for veterans

The Army Benevolent Fund is delighted to award a £47,000 grant to drug, alcohol, and mental health charity, WithYou, towards its dedicated Armed Forces Community (AFC) programme | COBSEO, UK

Drugs: Misuse

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the NHS of the use of illegal drugs | They work for you, UK

Prisons: Naloxone

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the number of naloxone kits issued (a) within custodial settings in and (b) on release from HM Prisons in each of the last ten years | They work for you, UK

Drugs: Lancashire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to reduce levels of drug offences in (a) Preston and (b) Lancashire | They work for you, UK

Eight arrests in drugs and money laundering sting

Three men were arrested when police stopped a vehicle in London Road, Thetford, on Sunday, using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) | BBC, UK

International news

Minister Philp attends the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire promotes the UK’s balanced approach towards tackling drug use, with a focus on the challenge of synthetic opioids | Home Office and The Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, UK

55th Human Rights Council: Drug policy highlights

The 55th Human Rights Council took place between 26 February and 4 April 2024. This briefing highlights the key debates, decisions and documents that discuss drug control and its impact on human rights | HRI, UK

Spain accidentally releases alleged Dutch druglord Karim Bouyakhrichan

Justice officials in Spain have been left red-faced after accidentally releasing a billionaire Dutch drug lord from prison in a bureaucratic mix-up | BBC, UK

‘Will cost lives’: addiction experts condemn decision to scrap proposed safe injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD

Government claims no appropriate location could be found for long-mooted second facility | Guardian, UK

Bursaries offered for Lisbon Addictions 2024 to EMCDDA international cooperation partners

The EMCDDA is delighted to announce the availability of bursaries for Lisbon Addictions 2024. The bursaries are being offered via the agency's international cooperation projects, funded by the European Union | EMCDDA, Portugal

Blood test can detect laughing gas and help the police fight dangerous tendency

Forensic blood analysis can reveal whether drivers are high on laughing gas. Researchers hope the method can help the police | University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Experts recommend an evidence-based public health approach to excessive alcohol use

Policymakers and public health officials have a critical role to play in reducing excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder, says the American College of Physicians in a new policy | Medical Xpress, USA

Stress activates brain regions linked to alcohol use disorder differently for women than men, finds study

When exposed to stress, people with alcohol use disorder engage parts of the brain associated with both stress and addiction, which may cause them to drink or crave alcohol after a stressful experience, suggest the authors of a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research | Medical Xpress, USA

Social media use linked to tobacco initiation among youth

The tobacco industry has long appealed to youth through targeted marketing that glamorizes smoking with imagery of candy-flavored products, celebrity endorsements, social settings, and other enticing tactics. That marketing approach appears to be particularly effective on social media, according to a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researchers | Medical Xpress, USA

Magic mushrooms can treat medication-resistant depression—but are they safe?

New research suggests psilocybin has similar side effects to traditional antidepressants. Commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms," psilocybin is a promising alternative treatment for people with medication-resistant depression and anxiety | Medical Xpress, USA

Drug needles, syringes litter a Bronx park. This organization is taking action

New York City organization is taking action to clean up drug needles and syringes littering a South Bronx park | CBC News, USA

Vermont Advances Safe Consumption Site Bill, But Cuts Second Location

Lawmakers in Vermont have formally adopted changes to narrow the scope of a House-passed safe consumption site (SCS) bill, which in its amended form would create and fund a facility in Burlington where people could use currently prohibited substances—part of a pilot program aimed at quelling the ongoing overdose crisis | Filter Magazine, USA

[open access] Long-acting injectable depot buprenorphine has become an important treatment option for the management of opioid dependence. However, little is known about patients’ experiences of depot buprenorphine and its embodied effects. This qualitative study aims to explore patients’ experiences of depot buprenorphine treatment, including how it feels within the body, experiences of dosing cycles across time, and how this form of treatment relies on wider ecologies of care beyond the clinical encounter | IJDP, Australia

Blogs, comment and opinion

UK smoking ban would have many benefits for public health – but only if it’s effectively implemented

MPs have recently voted to ban anyone in England born after 2009 from buying cigarettes, as part of the government’s plan to achieve a smoke-free generation | Conversation, UK

Loss of Institutional Knowledge – a Critical Tipping Point in the SUD Workforce Crisis

Our substance use care system workforce has long faced very high turnover rates. One of the studies from years ago that always stuck with me as framing out the challenges and value of working in our field, was from 2003, the toughest job you’ll ever love: A Pacific Northwest Treatment Workforce Survey. It identified turnover rates of around 25% annually. It was part of a systematic review of workforce challenges conducted through our Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) system funded by SAMHSA | Recovery Review blog, USA

How corporate involvement in psychedelic research could threaten public safety

In the mid-20th century, psychedelics were deemed illegal substances with little medical purpose, a high potential for abuse and a lack of safety. However, emerging evidence suggests the opposite; a potential role for these “mind-altering” substances in the treatment of conditions like depression, PTSD and substance use disorders | Conversation, Canada

Can a drug like Ozempic help treat addictions to alcohol, opioids or other substances?

Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are taking drugs like Ozempic to lose weight. But what do we actually know about them? This month, The Conversation’s experts explore their rise, impact and potential consequences | Conversation, Australia

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