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Daily news - 15th March 2024 |
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UK news
Early warning system will detect opioids to help prevent US-style fentanyl crisis in Britain
An early warning system to spot synthetic opioids and other drugs is being developed by ministers, in an attempt to prevent a US-style fentanyl crisis. It will test waste water and spikes of overdoses being reported by the emergency services to track the presence and strength of synthetic drugs across the UK in real time. Chris Philp, the crime and policing minister, will announce details in his speech at the annual conference of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in Vienna on Friday | Yahoo News, UK
Yousaf 'not complacent' over drug death figures
The suspected rise in drugs deaths dominated FMQs. It follows the release of estimated figures from the police - which suggest deaths are up 10% on the previous year. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, said the problem was Scotland's national shame and the SNP's plan was not working. Humza Yousaf said the government was committed to a range of measures to try and tackle "this insidious problem in our society". However, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said there was "no sense of urgency" from the government and accused the SNP of having "broken every promise" on the issue | BBC, UK
Alcohol dependence prevalence in England
Estimates of the number of alcohol dependent adults in each local authority in England. The statistics have been updated with alcohol dependence estimates for 2019 to 2020 and a section called 'Estimates of alcohol dependent adults in England: summary'. has also been added | OHID, UK
On the 40th anniversary of No Smoking Day young people and those damaged by smoking unite to call for a smokefree generation
People from across the country gathered in Parliament on No Smoking Day [13th March] to tell their stories about the impact of smoking on their lives and why parliamentarians should back the Government’s vision for a smokefree generation | ASH, UK
Parents warned over vapes 'laced with additional substances'
A head teacher has warned children are at risk of "serious harm" from vapes that could be laced with additional substances | BBC, UK
25 year trends in cancer incidence and mortality among adults aged 35-69 years in the UK, 1993-2018: retrospective secondary analysis
Cancer mortality had a substantial reduction during the past 25 years in both men and women aged 35-69 years. This decline is likely a reflection of the successes in cancer prevention (eg, smoking prevention policies and cessation programmes), earlier detection (eg, screening programmes) and improved diagnostic tests, and more effective treatment. By contrast, increased prevalence of non-smoking risk factors are the likely cause of the observed increased incidence for a small number of specific cancers | BMJ, UK
Alcohol brief interventions for people with cognitive decline webinar
On Tuesday 12 March, IAS hosted a webinar as part of its Small Grants Scheme, with Dr Philippa Case presenting her systematic review of 'Alcohol brief interventions for people with cognitive decline'. The number of older at-risk drinkers experiencing cognitive decline is likely to increase as a consequence of an ageing population and increased prevalence of at-risk drinking among older adults. This is likely to have a significant impact upon the individual, their family and community, and health and care services | IAS, UK
Industry News Show: 13 March 2024 - video
On this week’s show Paul and Katya focus in on drug policy news, particularly on some of the negative and controversial stories. We discuss: Dr Ben Sessa barred scandal; Dutch pilot not going ahead in Amsterdam; Teeside cannabis club update (a positive!); Oregon roll back on decriminalisation policies; France remove flower from the medical market and German artist advertises medical cannabis | Volteface, UK
A match made in Scotland: the relationship between alcohol & football
Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:45 - 14:00 GMT. The availability of alcohol at football matches in Scotland is subject to specific legislation, originally brought in following the 1980 Scottish Cup final. However, there is little understanding of stakeholders’ current attitudes towards alcohol, the role it plays in their matchday routines and how current legislation impacts on football fans’ drinking habits. Drawing from several recent studies this presentation will include data from interviews with key organisational stakeholders, focus groups with football fans, an online survey with football fans and photovoice data conducted with football fans in Scotland | SHAAP, UK
BDP Creative communities taster session [Facebook link]
Thursday, April 4th, 10am - 12pm. Malcolm X Centre. BDP Creative Communities are holding a free taster session, for new people to come and see what we’re all about, make some music or simply to plant a seed for your own creativity to be worked on in the future. We have a weekly choir, orchestra, beginners music, lyric writing and theatre group. We also run Bristol Sober Spaces. Free refreshments - no experience needed! | BDP, UK
BDP Creative Communities Spring Show [Facebook link]
Monday, April 8th, 3pm. The Unitarian Hall, Bristol, BS2 8PE. Let us bring the much needed sunshine into your lives, by getting our BDP Spring Show in your diary - starring members of Rising Voices, Lyrically Lifted, Bristol Recovery Orchestra, and the Changing Tunes Beginners Group | BDP, UK
Plymouth shop investigated after police cadet vape op
The Trading Standards operation involved cadets - under the age of 18 - dressed in plain clothes, entering a number of shops in Plymouth to try and buy a vape | BBC, UK
Dozens arrested during drugs raids by South West police
Three missing children have been found and dozens of vulnerable adults have got their homes back after a police operation to tackle drug crime | BBC, UK
Cocaine gang jailed for combined 106 years
Nine men who were part of a £53m cocaine supply plot spanning 15 months have been jailed | BBC, UK
International news
Fentanyl: War on Drugs 2.0? - audio
Fentanyl is a pharmaceutical drug that can be prescribed by a doctor to treat severe pain. But like its predecessors, that drug has been illegally manufactured and sold by criminal gangs. The president has called the crisis an “American tragedy” but many angles to the epidemic lie elsewhere in China and Mexico. Ben Westhoff was the first journalist to enter a Chinese fentanyl lab posing as a buyer. He spoke with us about the origins of the epidemic, the scale of the problem for US towns and cities and the hope that exists for solutions to the crisis | BBC Sounds, UK
Crisis and division at UN drug summit: Unprecedented pro-reform coalition led by Colombia challenges “war on drugs”
For the first time since 2019, world leaders gathered in Vienna today to assess the state of international drug policy, amidst a global drugs crisis that claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year, and drives systematic violations of human rights. In an unprecedented development, a coalition of 60 countries led by Colombia took the floor at the opening of the event to call for the reform of the international drug control system, which has remained unchanged since the height of the “war on drugs” | IDPC, UK
UN chief calls for people-centered approach to combat drug stigma
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday called for “putting people first” by ending the stigma and discrimination around those who use drugs and the expansion of prevention and treatment programmes. In his message to the opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Secretary-General António Guterres said the proliferation of powerful street drugs and pharmaceutical misuse needs to be addressed through balanced responses and collective action | UN News, Austria
Tissue samples show the deep genetic and cellular impacts of smoking
It's no secret that smoking is extremely detrimental to health. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including carcinogens, increasing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases | Medical Xpress, USA
Trial of drug checking services could provide lifesaving insights, say two Victorian coroners
Two Victorian coroners have today released new recommendations that the Victorian Government trial a drug checking service to gather evidence into how to reduce risks and prevent deaths associated with the use of drugs obtained from unregulated drug markets | Coroners Court of Victoria, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Rethinking Drug Laws: Theory, History, Politics – review
In Rethinking Drug Laws: Theory, History, Politics, Toby Seddon analyses drug control policy and argues for a paradigm shift that decentres the West and recognises China’s historical and contemporary influence. Unpacking the complexity of drug law as a regulatory system, Seddon’s well-argued, insightful book calls for more inclusive, evidence-informed and democratic policymaking, writes Mark Monaghan | LSE blog, UK
Opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs & Item 3. High-level segment (Thursday morning)
Statements made during the Opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs | CND Blog, UK