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Weekly news - 18th August 2023 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
Research and analysis. Advice on scheduling and lawful access to nitrous oxide
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has provided advice on the scheduling of nitrous oxide | ACMD, UK
Open consultation: Mandating quit information messages inside tobacco packs
We are holding a consultation about mandating quit themed information messages and advice (also called pack inserts) inside tobacco packets to help more smokers quit. We know from the existing international evidence and practice that introducing these messages can help people quit smoking. So, this consultation is seeking the views of interested people, businesses and organisations on this policy initiative | OHID, UK [See also, Government Press release | DHSC ]
Commending Public Health Scotland's evaluation of minimum unit pricing
We are concerned that the complaint from a member of the Scottish Parliament to the UK Statistics Authority regarding the findings of Public Health Scotland's evaluation of a minimum unit price for alcohol, whether intentionally or not, gives the impression of seeking to undermine the policy | Lancet Correspondence, UK
Two teens die within hours of each other following SWG3 DJ event
One of the 18-year-old's took unwell outside SWG3 in Glasgow, while another took unwell on Constarry Road, Croy | STV News, UK
Vape adverts on London buses criticised for recycling message
The advertising watchdog is reviewing complaints that disposable vape adverts carried on London's transport network give out "misleading" environmental messages | BBC, UK
Open consultation: Mandating quit information messages inside tobacco packs
This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 10 October 2023. We are holding a consultation about mandating quit themed information messages and advice (also called pack inserts) inside tobacco packets to help more smokers quit. We know from the existing international evidence and practice that introducing these messages can help people quit smoking. So, this consultation is seeking the views of interested people, businesses and organisations on this policy initiative | OHID, UK
Adfam launches Combating Drugs Partnerships Guidance
Adfam is pleased to publish new guidance on involving families in Combating Drugs Partnerships (CDPs). CDPs were established following the Government’s Harm to Hope Drugs Strategy, providing a setting in each local area for understanding and addressing shared challenges related to substance use, improving practice, and ensuring coordination across different local delivery partners | Adfam, UK
Reduced grey matter in frontal lobes linked to teenage smoking and nicotine addiction – study
Findings may demonstrate a brain and behavioural basis for how nicotine addiction is initiated and then takes hold in early life, say scientists | University of Cambridge, UK
Study finds 11% of patients in cardiac intensive care have taken recreational drugs
Researchers conclude there is ‘potential value’ in testing heart patients’ urine for substances such as marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine [see item below] | Guardian, UK
Major conditions strategy: case for change and our strategic framework
Ahead of the government's forthcoming major conditions strategy, this report sets out our approach to tackling the groups of conditions that drive ill health in England. [This report includes discussion throughout of the contribution of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use to ill-health] | DHSC, UK
Phone app helped students cut down on drinking, researchers say
Smaart, which gave users personalised feedback about alcohol intake, had ‘significant’ impact, study finds | Guardian, UK
Non-Prescribed Substance Use during the First Month of Treatment by People Receiving Depot Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder
[Open access] Non-prescribed substance use (NPSU) during the treatment of opioid use disorder is a recognized phenomenon. The use of non-prescribed substances is associated with discontinuing treatment and drop-out can occur before benefit from treatment occurs. Recent developments in treatment include long-acting, slow-release depot buprenorphine injections. This article focuses on NPSU during the first month of treatment with depot buprenorphine, addressing the frequency with which it occurs, the substances used, and reasons for use | Substance Use & Misuse, UK
Leeds Festival steps up anti-drugs measures after David Celino death
Measures will be brought in to "weed out" drug dealers at Leeds Festival after the death of a teenager at last year's event, an inquest has heard | BBC, UK
Police issue warnings after ‘particularly dangerous’ supply of contaminated heroin hits Wiltshire
Police have issued a warning to drug users about a ‘particularly dangerous' batch of heroin that is circulating in Wiltshire. The warning comes after a number of people became seriously ill after overdosing in the Devizes and Chippenham area over the weekend | ITV, UK
Media campaign boosts community naloxone supply
An independent evaluation of a mass media campaign on how to prevent drug deaths show it has had a positive impact on public awareness and increased the community supply of life-saving naloxone | Healthcare News Scotland Limited, UK
Met Police officers could carry 'lifesaving' drug overdose treatment as London battles opioid issue
A Met Police spokesperson said: "In relation to naloxone there are trials being completed across England and Wales and there is a full roll out in Scotland. These trials, and where appropriate other evidence, will be subject to further review in the Met over the next 12 to 18 months. This is being overseen by the MPS’ senior advisor for first aid and the MPS clinical panel." | MyLondon, UK
Monitoring the Future Panel Study Annual Report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 60, 1976-2022 (PDF)
Since 1975, the MTF study has annually surveyed substance use behaviors and attitudes among nationally representative samples of eighth, 10th and 12th graders. The MTF longitudinal panel study conducts follow-up surveys on a subset of the participants after the 12th grade to track their drug use through adulthood. After high school, the participants are followed every other year through age 30, then every five years afterward, with the oldest participants now in their 60s. “In 2022, we are seeing that marijuana and hallucinogen use, and vaping of nicotine and marijuana, are higher than ever among young adults ages 19 to 30,” Patrick said. “In addition, midlife adults ages 35 to 50 have the highest level of binge drinking we have ever seen in that age group.” University of Michigan, USA