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Daily news - 1st November 2024

UK news

Prevention focus needed to tackle alcohol and drug harm

Scotland’s drug and alcohol deaths remain among Europe’s highest – despite an increase in spending and better national leadership. The Scottish Government has made progress in increasing residential rehabilitation capacity and implementing treatment standards. However, it has been slow to progress key national strategies, such as a workforce plan and alcohol marketing reform. People in need still face many barriers to getting support. The workforce is under immense strain. And the increased focus on drug harm is shifting attention from tackling alcohol issues | Audit Scotland, UK

UK’s hidden disability: new codes to help thousands with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

People living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) — one of the most common yet under-recorded neurodevelopmental conditions worldwide — can now have the condition accurately recorded in their medical records thanks to new clinical codes | University of Bristol, UK

Worcestershire: Peer outreach support for people with substance misuse issues

In Worcestershire, a small team of service-user volunteers provide support and resources to people affected by drug and alcohol misuse who do not engage with conventional treatment services. This is just one element of the work underway to reduce the health inequalities for this vulnerable group of people | LGA, UK

Portsmouth: Outreach support for rough sleepers with substance misuse issues

Portsmouth City Council funds a project providing specialist support to rough sleepers with drug or alcohol issues and those at risk of rough sleeping. A multi-agency and multi-disciplinary team work in the community to help people access treatment, psychological support and accommodation | LGA, UK

Club Drug Clinic - video

Service users talk about how the Club Drug Clinic has helped them and staff members discuss the work the clinic does | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, UK

Potential drug death sparks police investigation

A man believed to have taken drugs at a Birmingham club night has died, prompting a police investigation. Three people were taken to hospital on Saturday after attending an event at The Forum on Dale End, West Midlands Police said | BBC, UK

Mum spends £24k a year on daughter's cannabis oil

A mother from Aylesham, Kent, who says she pays £2,000 a month for her daughter’s medicinal cannabis supply has called for greater access to the drug on the NHS | BBC, UK

Raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Thu, 14 Nov, 10:00 - 11:00 GMT. Online. As part of Baby Week, which runs from 14-20th November, Humber and North Yorkshire health and care partnership are hosting a free webinar to raise awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This one-hour webinar will provide the most up to date information, guidance and lived experience of FASD from the FASD Network, and is suitable for anyone to improve their knowledge on the subject | Humber and North Yorkshire health and care partnership, UK

Budget 2024: Key implications for charities

Our round-up of the new Labour government’s spending plans and what they mean for charities and communities | NCVO, UK

Rough sleeping in London hits record high amid predictions of worse to come

Homelessness charities call for long-term plan and say 18% increase to 4,780 people ‘should incense us all’ | Guardian, UK

Ban on smoking in cars with children to go live [Guernsey]

Guernsey's ban on smoking in cars carrying children aged under 18 comes into force on 1 November | BBC, UK

Council finds 'strong concerns' lorry drivers using drink and drugs

Edinburgh city council has found “strong concerns” that staff could be operating lorries while under the influence of drink or drugs | BBC, UK

'Cuckooing' suspects arrested in city crackdown

Police are targeting criminals who take over the homes of vulnerable people in Bath to use them as bases for drug dealing and other crimes. The practice, known as "cuckooing", involves individuals or gangs manipulating people to gain access to their properties | BBC, UK

Trio led police to largest heroin and cocaine seizure

Three men have been jailed for their involvement in what police described as the Isle of Man's largest ever Class A drug seizure - hidden in a van | BBC, UK

International news

International Drug Users Day 2024

1st November 2024 will mark our 16th International Drug Users Day, #IDUD24. And how far we have come in addressing our massive agenda, things like preventing & treating blood borne viruses; tackling stigma & discrimination; reducing fatalities from overdose; expanding harm reduction; and demanding drug law reform. And yet, despite this fistful of harm being so central to the life of a user in 2024 that it can feel like these issues are hardwired to our sense of self, none of them are putting on a one-issue show for 1 November | INPUD, UK et al

Iannone back in MotoGP for first time since drugs ban

Italian rider Andrea Iannone will return to MotoGP at this week's Malaysia Grand Prix for the first time since serving a four-year ban for doping | BBC, UK

DrugNet Europe - October 2024

Latest drug policy publications from the European agency | EUDA, Portugal

Exercise cuts dependence in those with alcohol use disorder, review finds

An exercise intervention can effectively reduce alcohol dependence in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a review published online Oct. 30 in PLOS ONE | Medical Xpress, USA

Cancer patients who stop smoking within the first six months of diagnosis see improved longevity, study finds

Smokers who are diagnosed with cancer now have more incentive to quit, as researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found survival outcomes were optimized when patients quit smoking within six months of their diagnosis | Medical Xpress, USA