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Daily news - 21st February 2025 |
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UK news
New Alcohol and Drug Recovery Strategy launched
The way that recovery sessions at HMP Low Moss have “transformed” lives has been captured in a piece on STV News. Cameras came into the establishment to see a peer mentor group in action as part of the launch of the new Alcohol and Drug Recovery Strategy. The strategy looks to build on good work done across the prison estate, including at HMP Low Moss. The STV online article can be found here | Scottish Prisons Service, UK
'Vaping myths deter smokers quitting', says study
People are more likely to give up smoking and switch to vaping if they understand the reduced harm of e-cigarettes, according to a new study. The study was carried out by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, external | BBC, UK
Problem Recognition as A Discrete Concept for Change Processes in Problematic Alcohol Use
Alcohol problem recognition reflects the extent to which a person with any level of problematic alcohol use (PAU) acknowledges the associated risks/harms as potentially/actually problematic with a relative degree of objectivity. Notably, alcohol problem recognition is typically low amongst people with PAU not engaged in treatment or support. This review evaluates existing PAU problem recognition measures and related concepts such as ambivalence, readiness to change, motivation, cognitive biases and other self-evaluative appraisal processes | Current Addiction Reports, UK
Law change needed for Scotland’s drug crisis
A leading Scottish expert in substance use is calling for a change in UK legislation to support people struggling with drug use by expanding the safe consumption facilities being piloted across Scotland | Healthandcare.scot, UK
ACMD members' register of interests
Updated the register with declarations from new members | ACMD, UK
Pupils: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the (a) diagnosis of and (b) training for foetal alcohol spectrum disorders in schools | They work for you, UK
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential role of no and low alcohol products in supporting the Government’s public health objectives on alcohol harm reduction | They work for you, UK
Regulator investigates charity over site being used as a pub
A charity in Scotland is being investigated after concerns were raised about its property being rented to a pub for non-charitable purposes | Civil Society, UK
Complaint not upheld against Blackeye London Dry Gin
The complaint, made by a member of the public, raised concerns that the name of the gin suggested an association with violence and aggression | Portman Group, UK
Spotlight on social disapproval and stigma towards addictive behaviours
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM GMT. Join us as we explore whether ‘social disapproval’ can be separated from stigma, and the important implications of framing and language | UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health, UK
Drugs seized in police swoop at railway station
Polly, who is trained to sniff out drugs, was placed at key entrances and exits of the station to find people carrying drugs, Devon and Cornwall Police said | BBC, UK
International news
Evaluation of the national alcohol control strategy (Green Paper on Alcohol Policy) of Estonia
A wide-ranging national policy to reduce drinking and related harm adopted by Estonia in 2014 “was evidently instrumental in reducing the level of consumption and … contributed to the health and well-being of Estonians” | Addiction, UK
Malaysian man caught with 51 grams of heroin gets last-minute reprieve from execution
Pannir Selvam Pranthaman granted stay of execution day before he was set to be hanged | Independent, UK
American Shields tests positive for marijuana
American Claressa Shields is under investigation after testing positive for marijuana following her win over heavyweight Danielle Perkins on 3 February in Michigan | BBC, UK
Sorry we're open: the impact of extended opening hours on workload and worker safety
In this report AAI outlines the impact the proposals contained in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill/Sale of Alcohol Bill would have on the health service, on frontline workers, and on the staff who would have to service an expanded night-time economy (NTE) | Alcohol Action Ireland, Ireland
Daily cannabis use linked to public health burden
A new study analyzes the disease burden and the risk factors for severity among people who suffer from a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Researchers at the George Washington University say the condition occurs in people who are long-term regular consumers of cannabis and causes nausea, uncontrollable vomiting and excruciating pain in a cyclical pattern that often leads to repeated trips to the hospital | Medical Xpress, USA
Study reveals split opinions on long-term opioid use for chronic pain
With the goal of informing clinician practice, a new study explores the harms and benefits of continuing and of discontinuing the long-term prescription of opioid medicines to adults with chronic pain. The authors analyzed the opinions of 28 experts on the harms versus benefits of maintaining, tapering or terminating opioid pain medication prescriptions for chronic pain, a common condition worldwide that is typically quite difficult to treat | Medical Xpress, USA
Restricting flavored e-cigarettes cuts vaping rates but raises smoking rates for young adults, study finds
In recent years, vaping has become popular as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Flavored electronic cigarettes—known as e-cigarettes—have become so popular among young adults that some states have implemented restrictions such as flavor bans and taxes on e-cigarettes in an effort to reduce teen vaping | Medical Xpress, USA
Methadone treatment shown to improve HIV care for formerly incarcerated individuals
When transitioning from prison to the community, formerly incarcerated individuals face numerous challenges, including lack of employment, housing, and health care. This transition is more precarious for those with HIV or opioid use disorder, who—due to these diseases—have an increased risk of medical complications and even death | Medical Xpress, USA
Coca Summit in Peru Focuses Push to End Global Prohibition
The United Nations must “decolonize” global drug laws and deschedule the coca leaf, which is used daily by millions of Andean people for nutritional, medicinal, and cultural purposes, the vice president of Bolivia told a coca summit outside of Cusco, Peru | Filter Magazine, USA
Safer supply drug users will have to go to pharmacies multiple times a day under new B.C. model
B.C. Conservatives say safe supply program fuels addiction. Harm reduction advocates say it saves lives | CBC News, Canada
Blogs, comment and opinion
Addressing Stigma and Its Impact on Families
Substance dependence and its associated stigma are often seen as either a personal issue or a public health crisis. However, families and carers, who bear much of the emotional burden, are frequently overlooked. The Anti-Stigma Network’s first Accelerator session highlighted the barriers families face when supporting loved ones affected by substance use | AntiStigma Network, UK
The Dry January® challenge 2025 – embracing the true spirit of the experience
This year’s Dry January® challenge was one of the most successful so far, with hundreds of thousands of people taking part using our free tools: including our Try Dry® app, daily motivational emails, and an active online community | Alcohol Change UK blog, UK
WHO report urges EU to adopt alcohol warning labels
As Ireland prepares for new alcohol labelling next year, HRB Research Officer Anne Doyle reports on calls for other EU countries to follow suit | HRB blog, Ireland