Weekly news - 22nd May 2020


Weekly subscribe button

Coronavirus frequently updated resources

COVID-19 and addiction: webinars, podcasts and online discussions | SSA

Treatment and recovery services – and COVID-19 |Collective Voice

COVID-19 Information Hub | Scottish Drugs Forum

COVID-19 and smoking: resources, research and news | BMJ

Coronavirus: information and advice hub - alcohol | Alcohol Change UK

COVID-19 resources page for people who use drugs (PWUD) and drug service providers | EMCDDA

 

In date order, Monday to Friday:

COVID-19: guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol

Added clarification on guidance and legislation | PHE and DHSC, UK

Media Advisory: Ban on menthol flavoured cigarettes comes into force on 20 May 2020

From Wednesday 20th May 2020, the sale of menthol flavoured cigarettes and tobacco products will be prohibited | ASH, UK

Plan to study nicotine patches as potential coronavirus treatment

Doctors in Wales could stage trial after suggestion smokers may be less at risk of Covid-19 | Guardian, UK

Charity brings drug treatments to addicts' doors in lockdown

Support workers in Edinburgh making contactless deliveries of methadone to vulnerable clients | Guardian, UK

The UK Medicinal Cannabis Report: The Needs of A Nation - Part A: “The Current Landscape”

Free download on registration. This report intends to highlight some of the changes needed to achieve the aspirations behind the rescheduling of cannabis in 2018 | CDPG, UK

Coronavirus: Alcoholics Anonymous sees rise in lockdown calls

Alcoholics Anonymous said there has been a 300% increase in enquiries, and it is providing addicts with video call meetings and remote one-on-one support | BBC, UK

Alcohol-fuelled crime offenders may have to wear ‘sobriety tags’

Offenders who commit “alcohol-fuelled” crimes can be required to wear “sobriety tags” and banned from drinking under legislation that comes into force in England and Wales on Tuesday | Guardian, UK

Coronavirus: Can nicotine replacement products help combat Covid-19?

The three hospital consultants had already written in the British Medical Journal for investigations to be "urgently considered" to see if patches can help the body stop Covid-19 | BBC, UK

Responding to mental health and isolation in the pandemic - SDF COVID-19 Webinar - video

SDF's fourth free COVID-19 webinar focused on mental health among people who use substances during the pandemic | SDF, UK

Operational advice for alcohol, drugs and nicotine in emergency accommodation for people experiencing rough sleeping

This operational advice is for local authority public health commissioners and drug and alcohol treatment providers who are responding to the health needs of people using or dependent on drugs, alcohol and tobacco in the emergency accommodation. It will also assist managers working in these settings | PHE, UK

EDM: Treatment services during the covid-19 outbreak

That this House acknowledges the vital role being performed by drug and alcohol treatment services throughout the country during the covid-19 outbreak; recognises that key workers on the frontline of critical service provision are among the unsung heroes who rarely receive the recognition they deserve; commends the dedication with which they have maintained crucial support for a most vulnerable section of our society... | UK Parliament, UK

Inequalities in victimisation: alcohol, violence, and anti-social behaviour

New findings show that alcohol-related violence affects the poorest in society to the greatest degree, with the most deprived groups experiencing as much as 14 times as many incidents of alcohol-related domestic violence every year, compared with the least deprived | IAS, UK

Coronavirus: 'Tackle harmful lockdown drinking,' BMJ editorial warns

"It is increasingly clear that if we don't prepare for emerging from the pandemic, we will see the toll of increased alcohol harm for a generation," the editorial says | BBC, UK

Millions in UK smoking more amid coronavirus crisis, study suggests

About 2.2 million people in the UK may be smoking more than usual during the coronavirus crisis despite the serious harm it does to respiratory and immune systems, a survey has suggested | Guardian, UK

Tobacco industry tactics to circumvent and undermine the menthol cigarette ban in the UK

A ban on the sale of cigarettes with a characterising flavour, including menthol, was part of the revised European Tobacco Products Directive (EUTPD) (2014), which has been written into UK law and came into force in May 2016 | BMJ, UK

Testing for drug-related infectious diseases — a crucial step towards meeting international health goals

Testing for drug-related infectious diseases among people who inject drugs (PWID) is crucial if international health targets are to be met. This is among the conclusions of a new EMCDDA report out today | EMCDDA, Portugal

UK's pub gardens could host distanced drinking from 4 July, says trade body

More than half of pubs have outside space and these should be first to reopen, says BBPA | Guardian, UK

PPE and contactless delivery: drug dealers reveal how they are adapting to coronavirus

While the COVID-19 lockdown might have brought most parts of the economy to a halt, it seems to have had little affect on drug dealers. They have even found opportunity in the situation. They wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid infection, finding a neat way to cover their faces to avoid police surveillance in the process | Conversation, UK

We are in denial about alcoholism in this country – and it's going to get worse after lockdown

Only one in five harmful drinkers received the professional support they needed prior to coronavirus | Independent voices, UK