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Daily news - 12th March 2024 |
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UK news
Health bosses push for smoking law change
Health leaders have called for new smoking laws to be passed before a general election is called. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was announced by King Charles in his first King's Speech as monarch. It would see the legal age at which people can buy tobacco products increase each year meaning those turning 15 this year would never be able to buy one. Julia Weldon, the director of public health in Hull, said the bill is the "the most important change to public health in our lifetime" | BBC, UK
Work starts on Glasgow's safer drug consumption facility
Work has started on converting the premises in the east end into space for eight injection booths and an aftercare/recovery area for another 12. Construction is scheduled to last 24 weeks but it is hoped that can be brought forward and the service in operation this summer | Glasgow Times, UK
MEAM support: "A massive how-to guide with emotional support attached"
We recently commissioned Cordis Bright to evaluate the support we provided to the MEAM Approach network during 2022-2024. The Cordis Bright team, including a team of peer researchers, interviewed ten MEAM Approach areas and held a focus group with MEAM staff. Today, we are pleased to share the findings from this research, which we will be using to shape our support offer for future years | MEAM, UK
A World with Medical Cannabis: Setting the Stage
Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:00 - 21:00 GMT. We discuss how we're paving the way for medical cannabis in the UK - from T21 research to current medical cannabis prescribing | Drug Science, UK
Vapes sold to minors seized by Police in Gloucester
The confiscated vapes, worth up to £1,000, are non-compliant because they contain more than 2ml of nicotine liquid. The investigation is ongoing | BBC, UK
International news
Fresh calls for pill-testing after suspected drug overdose death at Victorian music festival
The 23-year-old man died after being airlifted to hospital from the Pitch Music and Arts festival in western Victoria | Guardian, UK
TGA investigating telehealth websites prescribing nicotine vaping products for exclusive pharmacies
GPs say patients should be able to fill scripts at any pharmacy and that a health professional should be consulted first | Guardian, UK
Killers and drug offenders given temporary release from prison as overcrowding issue grows
The largest category of prisoners granted release from their sentences were those guilty of controlled drug offences, where 100 offenders were set free with conditions | Extra, Ireland
Online press conference: EU Drug Markets – Key insights for policy and practice (EMCDDA-Europol) - video
On 7 March, the EMCDDA and Europol held an online press conference to launch 'EU Drug Markets: Key insights for policy and practice', drawing on their latest joint analysis and findings on the topic. This report offers a strategic and top-level summary of the EU drug market, based on a robust understanding of the current drug landscape and emerging threats. It is targeted at decision-makers who develop and implement policies and actions in Europe, as well as at practitioners working in the drugs field and the general public | EMCDDA, Portugal
SAMHSA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Seeks $8.1 Billion to Support Mental Health and Substance Use Services Across US
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 President’s Budget includes $8.1 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), $612 million more than the agency’s FY 2023 enacted budget. The FY 2025 budget proposal continues to support the President’s Unity Agenda to address the nation’s ongoing mental health crisis and overdose epidemic | SAMHSA, USA
Study finds restaurants, bars still serving alcohol to intoxicated patrons
Nearly every state has laws that ban restaurants and bars from serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated customers. But, at least in one region, few establishments seem to be complying, according to a new study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs | Medical Xpress, USA
'Study drugs' shown to set the stage for other drug use and mental health decline
Taking "study drugs" like Adderall without a diagnosis is not only dangerous in itself but can lead to other drug use and a decline in mental health, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York | Medical Xpress, USA
When it comes to ketamine, Meta's posting policy is no party to decipher
People keep talking about ketamine. The drug has become a favorite of celebrities, billionaires, and ordinary patients, many of whom view it as a potential miracle drug for depression and other mental health conditions | Medical Xpress, USA
Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural mushroom compounds to address psychiatric disorders
A recent study suggests that mushroom extract containing psilocybin may exhibit superior efficacy when compared to chemically synthesized psilocybin. The findings are published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry | Medical Xpress, USA
Our Research Shows We Need Compassion Clubs to Stop OD Deaths
On March 7, a judicial review began of Health Canada’s 2022 decision to deny the Drug User Liberation Front an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This would have allowed DULF to operate a compassion club, distributing tested drugs at cost to participants in order to reduce their exposure to the adulterated street supply of unregulated drugs | Filter Magazine, USA
GPs play 'vital role' in helping Australians quit nicotine
New provisional guidance from the RACGP on the use of e-cigarettes to help Australians quit smoking provides a balanced approach for GPs, according to tobacco control experts | MJA Insight, Australia
Cook Government creates dedicated Alcohol and Other Drug Office
A new Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs will be established as part of the Cook Government's commitment to addressing the harms associated with alcohol and drug use in Western Australia | WA.gov.au, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Women’s Drug And Alcohol Treatment Needs Overlooked
Women reported experiencing stigma in their personal relationship. Often friends and family regarded behaviour related to drug and alcohol use as problematic that created challenging dynamics in the relationship. This leads to women feeling isolated which ultimately increased their vulnerability as they were pushed into spending more time with others who are experiencing drug and alcohol use, making recovery more difficult. Women who made the choice to move away from these relationships struggled with loneliness | Russell Webster, UK
Steve Brine: Sunak’s smoking ban has the backing of the vast majority of Conservative voters
Two-thirds of adults in Britain back the Government’s smoking ban plan, including nearly three-quarters of Conservative voters, in a representative poll carried out by YouGov for ASH | Conservative Home, UK
Cannabis industry news show - 7th March - audio
On this week’s industry news show Paul and Katya discuss: CB1 Medical and the backlash from patients on their £40 admin charge;Medisonal, another UK clinic has launched making the total number at 43 for 35,000 patients ;Script Assist launch ‘Find a Doctor’ and more... | Volteface, UK
Frank takes on the Speed Project
We are really excited to announce that ultra-marathon runner and endurance athlete Frank Bingham is taking on the Speed Project later this month to raise money for Adfam | Adfam, UK
Adolescent Brain Development: Risk of Drug Use & Gang Involvement
Adolescence marks a critical period in brain development, characterised by significant neurological changes that influence behaviour, decision-making, and vulnerability to addiction. The maturation of the brain during this time is uneven, with different parts developing at different rates, leading to a period where the brain's reward systems are highly active while the cognitive control systems are still catching up | Tony D'Agostino, UK
Sheila Gilheany: Extending alcohol trading hours extends the harm
A one-hour extension of trading hours would equate to a 16% increase in alcohol-related crime, a 30% increase in road collisions in rural areas, and a 34% increase in alcohol-related injuries | Irish Examiner, Ireland
Mother’s little helper: interviews with Australian women show a complex relationship with alcohol
Men have historically, and still do, drink more than women. But in recent years there has been an uptick in women’s drinking, particularly among women in their late 30s through to their 60s | Conversation, UK
Australia’s restrictive vaping and tobacco policies are fuelling a lucrative and dangerous black market
Australia currently has the most restrictive tobacco and vaping policies in the developed world. Australian smokers are taxed at one of the highest rates among comparable nations, with taxes set to further increase at rate of 5% per year. Meanwhile, Australia is the only country to have a prescription model for accessing vaping products | Conversation, Australia