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Weekly news - 21st April 2023 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
Launch Phase 2 of the Reducing Demand Innovation Fund
OHID, the Joint Combatting Drugs Unit and the National Institute for Health Research launched the first phase of the Innovation Fund to Reduce Demand for Illicit Substances last August. We are pleased to announce that the information for phase 2 is now live. This phase is focussing on evaluation of interventions and is open to projects that are already funded through phase 1 and those that aren't currently funded by this programme. Information can be found on the NIHR website where the specification has been published. This page has links to FAQs and guidance for applicants. At present, organisations can view the documentation and begin planning their prospective bids, but will not be able to submit applications until Wednesday 24th May. If you would like to hear more about the fund and how it will operate, NIHR will be hosting an online launch event from 12-1pm on Monday 22nd May | OHID, JCDU and NIHR, UK
Ministry of Justice: Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD)
The Ministry of Justice led BOLD programme has been created to demonstrate how people with complex needs can be better supported by linking and improving the government data held on them in a safe and secure way. BOLD will initially focus on reducing homelessness, supporting victims of crime, reducing substance misuse and reducing reoffending | MoJ, UK
Cost of living pressures placing UK adults at greater risk of alcohol dependence
Alcohol consumption habits of people in the UK have changed due to the cost of living crisis, according to research commissioned by drug, alcohol and mental health charity With You. A survey of over 2,000 adults across the UK carried out by polling company Markettiers, finds nearly half (47%) of UK adults are prioritising drinking alcohol at home instead of at pubs, bars and restaurants due to the cost of living crisis | With You, UK
Some ‘nicotine-free’ vapes high in addictive substances, tests reveal
Concerns raised after some brands sold in shops in England and Wales found to exceed legal limits | Guardian, UK
Call to tackle rise in alcohol-related deaths in Scotland
Tougher measures are needed to tackle the highest level of alcohol-related deaths for more than a decade, medical experts have said | BBC, UK
Working alongside medicinal weed advocacy group Cancard, the Met are trialling a new scheme to reduce the smell of cannabis in social housing
Multiple police forces in the UK are trialling a scheme where they give out weed vapes to medicinal cannabis users to reduce the smell of weed in social housing. Cancard, an advocacy group who provide medicinal weed users with an ID card recognised by police, and a helpline for the police to validate cannabis prescriptions during a stop and search, are behind the scheme | The Face, UK
E-cigarette use among early adolescent tobacco cigarette smokers: testing the disruption and entrenchment hypotheses in two longitudinal cohorts
[Open access] Using longitudinal data from two large-scale cohorts in the UK and USA, we examine whether e-cigarette use steers adolescent early smokers away from tobacco cigarettes (disruption hypothesis) or deepens early patterns of tobacco smoking (entrenchment hypothesis) in comparison with early smokers who do not use e-cigarettes | BMJ, UK
Briefing - Emergency response required to prevent deaths from alcohol (PDF)
The Scottish Government has rightly recognised alcohol harm as a public emergency, alongside drugs deaths. As yet, unlike drugs deaths, there has been no emergency response. Over 30 organisations are calling on the Scottish Government to urgently take action to prevent further deaths and reduce harm from alcohol. We need strong leadership and priority setting. It is crucial that people who are experiencing alcohol problems and their families have quick, easy access to appropriate treatment and support. This must be coupled with effective prevention policies to reduce harm and protect future generations | Alcohol Focus Scotland, UK
'Generational shift' as figures show more Gen Z and millennials quitting alcohol
The number of young people choosing not to drink alcohol is on the rise, with the latest figures showing there are now more non-drinkers in their late teens and 20s than at any point in the last decade | ITV, UK
New data reveals record amounts of cocaine and ketamine seized
New data released today (20 April) reveals the largest quantity of cocaine and ketamine seized by Border Force and police forces since records began | Home Office, UK
Seizures of drugs in England and Wales: user guide
'Seizures of drugs in England and Wales: user guide' is designed to be a useful reference guide with explanatory notes on seizure of drugs | Home Office, UK
UK university launches postgraduate course in clinical use of psychedelics
Certificate at Exeter to include teaching about existing therapies and research in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience | Guardian, UK
Now you can get a cannabis card! 'Releaf' document will allow patients prescribed medical cannabis to show police they aren't breaking the law
A medicinal cannabis card launched in Britain today so patients carrying the drug can easily prove they aren't breaking the law. The card, the same size as a driving licence or bank card, shows a patient's name, picture, date-of-birth and address | Mail Online, UK
Medical cannabis is 'industry of the future' that will create jobs - Conservative MP
Medical cannabis is an "industry of the future" with the potential of creating thousands of jobs in rural areas if properly supported by the Government, a Tory former cabinet minister has said | ITV, UK
Opposition MPs’ amendment on Scotch whisky duty rejected in Commons vote
Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael (Shetland and Orkney) urged MPs to back his party’s amendment, which was supported by the SNP | Independent, UK