Reports: September |
National Mission on Drugs Annual Report
Sets out the progress made between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 by national government, local government and third sector partners towards reducing drug deaths and improving the lives of those impacted by drugs in Scotland | Scottish Government, UK
The Use of Prescription Cannabis in Buildings: Guidance for tenants and landlords (PDF)
This position paper aims to provide guidance for landlords, housing associations, property managers, and tenants regarding the use of prescribed medical cannabis in properties and premises in the UK. The focus is on tenants, sub-tenants, leaseholders, individuals part of a commonhold, and the general public | Cannabis Industry Council, UK
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
Not Commissioned: Systemic confusion in NHS services for alcohol, pregnancy and FASD
The report shows that the majority of NHS Integrated Care Boards and NHS Trusts are missing a golden opportunity to protect baby’s brains and futures with their slow, non-strategic and uncoordinated responses to the 2022 NICE Quality Standard 204 on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) | The National Organisation for FASD, UK
Alcohol-specific deaths
This statistical report details information on the number of deaths that were registered in Scotland in 2023 which are classified as alcohol-specific. It also includes breakdowns by sex, age, cause of death and deprivation. Alcohol-specific deaths have generally risen since 2012. Before this point, deaths fell sharply from the peak of 1,417 in 2006 to 968 in 2012. Last year, there was one more death than in 2022 | National Records of Scotland, UK
Over 10 percent of deaths in Wales due to smoking
New analysis from Public Health Wales shows that were an average of 3,845 deaths in Wales in 2022 were due to smoking in Wales every year between 2020 and 2022: more than one in ten of all deaths amongst those over 35 | Public Health Wales, UK
National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times
10,688 referrals were made to community-based specialist drug and alcohol treatment services: 5,432 (50.8%) were for problematic use of alcohol, 3,770 (35.3%) for problematic use of drugs, and 1,486 (13.9%) for co-dependency | Public Health Scotland, UK
NHS stop smoking services quarterly
This release presents information on NHS Stop Smoking Services in Scotland and their progress towards their annual Local Delivery Plan (LDP) Standard. The LDP Standard for NHS Scotland in 2023/24 is to achieve at least 7,026 self-reported successful twelve-week quits through smoking cessation services in the 40% most deprived areas (60% in NHS Island Boards) | Public Health Scotland, UK
Alcohol Injustice: position paper on people with an alcohol disorder in the Justice system
This paper sets out why and how people with alcohol use disorders who come into contact with the justice system should have the best opportunities to access treatment and support. This approach would reduce reoffending and tackle inequalities – improving the health and lives of the people concerned and the lives of their families and wider communities, as well as alleviating pressure on the justice system | IAS, UK
Drug Poisoning Deaths in Ireland in 2021: Data from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) (PDF)
In 2021, 354 drug poisoning deaths were recorded in Ireland. This equates to seven deaths per 100,000 of the population in that year. The deceased were 227 (64.1%) males and 127 (35.9%) females. Opioids (68.9%), benzodiazepines (52.8%), and antidepressants (35.0%) were the three mostcommon drug groups implicated in poisoning deaths overall. The main specific drugs implicated were methadone (36.4%), diazepam (31.6%), alprazolam (30.2%), cocaine (30.2%), alcohol (25.7%), and pregabalin (23.4%) | HRB, Ireland
Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity (2024)
More than half of U.S. states have legalized cannabis for adult and/or medical use, but it remains illegal at the federal level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health tasked the National Academies with reviewing cannabis and cannabinoid availability in the U.S., assessing regulatory frameworks and describing strengths and weaknesses of surveillance systems. This resulting report finds that there has been limited federal guidance to states regarding protecting public health, which has led to inconsistent protection across the states. The report recommends a strategy to minimize public health harms | National Academies, USA