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Daily news - 9th September 2024

UK news

Two years on: a progress review of ‘From harm to hope': A 10-year drugs plan to cut crime and save lives’

Public Sector Access, in collaboration with the LGA, has engaged with nine councils across the country to review the progress of ‘From harm to hope’. This provides a snapshot of the strides made, challenges faced and opportunities uncovered in the pursuit of creating healthier, safer communities | LGA, UK

Steroids found in Scottish prisons increase from 1% to 10% in four years

Researchers at the University’s Leverhulme Research Centre of Forensic Science (LRCFS), part of the School of Science and Engineering, made the discovery while working in collaboration with Scottish Prison Service | University of Dundee, UK

Vaping damages young people’s lungs as much as smoking, study suggests

Research challenges idea that vaping could be a healthier alternative to smoking, say authors of research | Guardian, UK

Treatment engagement in comorbid alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related liver disease: A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators with service users

[Open access] At a hospital in London patients being treated for liver disease caused by heavy drinking were interviewed to find out what helped or hindered engagement in what could be life-saving treatment for their drinking. Among the considerable hindrances were a “lack of a structured approach” to organising treatment continuity and a shortage of specialist detoxification beds | ACER, UK

[Open access] Study based in Sweden but with online interventions in English explored the impact of telling contacts seeking help to reduce drinking that they had to wait four weeks versus immediate intervention. In reality, both sets were offered the same online feedback and advice. Over the four weeks those told to wait tended to drink more than the others and engaged less with the intervention | DAD, UK

Paul Corrigan appointed by the government to help shape health plans

Paul Corrigan brings extensive sector experience and will work on emerging policy to support the government on successfully delivering better health services | Department of Health and Social Care and The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, UK

Drugs: Scotland

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with the Scottish Government to (a) improve drug addiction treatments and (b) reduce drug-related deaths | They work for you, UK

Brave Greenock woman says recovery cafe saved her life

A brave Greenock woman who was trapped in heroin addiction for nearly 20 years says a recovery cafe saved her life when she was left homeless after losing her partner | Greenock Telegraph, UK

Landlord fears outdoor smoking ban will 'kill' pubs

Paul Keenan, who runs the Hairy Dog in the city centre, estimates he will lose around 20% of his revenue if the ruling comes in | BBC, UK

Alcohol Alert - August 2024 - podcast

Topis discussed: Excluding alcohol industry from policymaking - IAS report; Alcohol & Cancer: Explained; Killer Tactics of alcohol, tobacco, and junk food industries; and Shortage of Pabrinex is “an absolute disaster” | IAS, UK

Is your cocktail ultra-processed? Nutrition labels won’t tell you

Many ready-to-drink cocktails have as much sugar as Coca-Cola – but a loophole avoids the ‘ultra-processed’ tag | Guardian, UK

International news

Cannabis use falls among US teenagers but rises among everyone else – study

Research finds cannabis use increases among college-educated and high-income Americans | Guardian, UK

Consumption of alcohol-free and alcoholic beverages among Dutch university students: Substitution or addition?

[Open access] Do alcohol-free alternatives mean students drink less alcohol? Generally not at a university in the Netherlands, though a minority did say that since they started drinking alcohol-free products they had cut their alcohol consumption | DAR, UK

The clinic for psychedelic difficulties: where people go when the trip never really ends

Derealization and anxiety can result from use of psychedelics. A Berlin clinic provides nonjudgmental help | Guardian, UK

Probation expert says homelessness and addiction are almost like ‘manifestations of mental health difficulties’

Susan first started taking pills when she was 15 years old. She didn’t know then what they were, she says; she describes herself as a runaway child hanging around with older people who were “taking yellows” | Irish Times, Ireland

The impact of economic recessions on the use of illicit drugs

This report explores the intricate relationship between economic recessions and illicit drug use through an in-depth scoping review of the literature. Unravelling complexities among demographics and drug types, this analysis sheds light on potential impacts of economic downturns, suggesting that young and already socioeconomically vulnerable population groups appear to be most affected during economic downturns. Among young adults, several studies indicate that the use of cannabis may increase during economic downturns. In addition, there are indications that transitioning to more problematic patterns of drug use, such as from smoking or snorting to injecting, may also increase during times of economic turmoil | EUDA, Portugal

[Open access] Review finds research support for interventions integrating two or more psychosocial approaches (such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing) versus usual care or single-approach therapy | DAR, USA

[Open access] The first systematic assessment of the evidence found that overall the 11 categories of interventions tested so far significantly improved alcohol treatment entry and engagement. Many also also led to improved outcomes. Conclusion was that integrating such strategies in treatment services is vital to enhancing effectiveness | DAR, USA

Recreational drug use tied to repeat cardiovascular events

Recreational drug use is associated with a tripled risk for a repeat serious cardiovascular event within one year of hospitalization, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024, held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 in London | Medical Xpress, USA

Young vapers perform worse than non-vapers in exercise testing, research finds

Young people who vape perform worse than non-vapers in tests designed to measure their capacity for exercise, according to a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria. The research also showed that the performance of young vapers was similar to that of young smokers | Medical Xpress, USA

Disparity in access to medications for opioid use disorder persist in criminal legal settings: Study

Individuals involved in the criminal legal system have a high rate of opioid use disorder (OUD) and a high risk of overdose death compared to the general population, yet the most effective treatments — medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—are underutilized in criminal legal settings where treatment is mandated as part of a person's probation or parole. Medications are often not provided due to stigma or lack of adequate funding for evidence-based care | Medical Xpress, USA

Cannabidiol demonstrated to alleviate symptoms of Leigh syndrome

A study led by the UAB Institut de Neurociències and published in the journal Nature Communications demonstrates in animal models how daily administration of cannabidiol (CBD), a substance obtained from the cannabis plant, extends lifespan and improves symptoms associated with Leigh syndrome | Medical Xpress, USA