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Daily news - 16th August 2024 |
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UK news
There has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs, says NCA as annual threat assessment is published
The National Crime Agency has today released its annual assessment of serious and organised crime, with a stark warning that taking drugs has never been more dangerous. The threat from drugs to the UK has increased due to a rise in the production of cocaine, an expanding synthetic drugs market, an increase in the availability of synthetic opioids, and more cannabis being imported | NCA, UK
TikTok updates alcohol advertising policy
Social media app TikTok has quietly updated its advertising policy to allow alcohol adverts on the platform, subject to certain restrictions. | The Spirits Business, UK
Are vapes going to be banned in the UK? Studies reveal alarming rise in vaping among Brits
Record levels of people in the UK use vaping products – but what could next year’s ban mean? | Evening Standard, UK
Tottenham suspend Yves Bissouma for Premier League opener after laughing gas video
Bissouma apologised for a ‘severe lack of judgement’ after he was recorded inhaling nitrous oxide | Independent, UK
IZZAT: South Asian Women & Substance Use
Friday, September 6, 6-8pm GMT+1. A gathering for South Asian women and others to discuss substance use and reclaim their IZZAT (honour) in a safe space! | Portraits of Recovery, UK
Hundreds of airline passengers smuggling 'suitcases' of cannabis into UK
Hundreds of airline passengers are “brazenly” arriving in the UK with suitcases full of cannabis - without even trying to hide it - according to the National Crime Agency (NCA) | ITV, UK
Thousands of illicit cigarettes seized
Officers from East Riding of Yorkshire Council's trading standards team raided stores in Beverley, Hornsea and Driffield | BBC, UK
Man jailed after cocaine found in tea bag
Scott Hannon, 27, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis | BBC, UK
International news
'Ketamine Queen' and cover-ups: Five things discovered in the Matthew Perry probe
When Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last year, it seemed like it could have just been an accident | BBC, UK
I wish they had told us how to be safe
An effective drug education is needed, perhaps more so now than ever: across the world, the lack of regulation has meant that lethal contaminants have unknowingly spread into many drug supplies. This makes the need for a realistic, evidence-based and pragmatic drug education programme all the more pressing: children and young people should understand how they can best reduce the harms from drug use, while understanding motivations for use in the first place | YouthRISE, Ireland et al
HSE appeals to festival-goers to surrender drugs at Electric Picnic for testing
Festival-goers can seek information and support on drug use and surrender drugs for "back of house" checking, which will help to detect high-risk drugs | Irish Independent, Ireland
HSE to send over 50 harm reduction volunteers and onsite drug testing lab to Electric Picnic
"MDMA pills, powders and crystals are more potent, making it easier to take too much without knowing, which can lead to drug emergencies" according to HSE Drug Trends Project Manager Nicki Killeen | Hotpress, Ireland
More Americans in new poll believe drinking alcohol is unhealthy
The Gallup poll found that 45 percent of Americans believe drinking in moderation — one or two alcoholic beverages a day — is unhealthy. This percentage marks a new historic high and is 6 percentage points higher than when the poll was taken last year | The Hill, USA
Heineken partnership with US Open focuses on zero-alcohol and moderation
Longtime sponsor producing custom cans for its 0.0 beer as it looks to tennis’ growing cultural clout | AdAge, USA
Racial and economic barriers hinder access to medicine for treating opioid use disorder, study finds
Patients with a prescription for an opioid use disorder medication may have a tough time getting it filled if their pharmacy is in a community that's racially and economically segregated, according to a new study led by scientists at Oregon State University and Johns Hopkins University | Medical Xpress, USA
An implantable sensor could reverse opioid overdoses
In 2023, more than 100,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. The most effective way to save someone who has overdosed is to administer a drug called naloxone, but a first responder or bystander can't always reach the person who has overdosed in time | Medical Xpress, USA
Olympia, WA, Decriminalizes Psychedelic Plants and Fungi
Leaders in Washington State’s capital city of Olympia voted unanimously on August 13 to pass a resolution locally decriminalizing psilocybin and certain other psychedelic plants and fungi. It’s the latest locality in the state to pass such a measure, following similar changes in Seattle, Port Townsend and Jefferson County | Filter Magazine, USA
Auckland booze crackdown: No alcohol sales in supermarkets, liquor stores after 9pm; two-year freeze on new outlets
A two-year freeze on new liquor stores in the central city and 23 other areas with high alcohol-related harm and crime is also on the cards | NZHerald, New Zealand
Blogs, comment and opinion
There are many reasons it’s not a good idea to make alcohol more available. Countries that limited sales saved lives
In Europe, from Ireland and Scotland to Lithuania and Poland, governments are putting in place policies that raise the price of alcohol, restrict where and when it can be sold, and how it can be advertised. Correspondingly, we are already seeing reductions in alcohol-related harms and associated health costs in these jurisdictions | Toronto Star opinion, Canada