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Weekly news - 31st May 2024 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
News story: Licensed drug testing continues at music festivals this summer
Confiscated and surrendered drugs will be tested to identify toxic substances in circulation and help prevent drug-related overdoses | Home Office and The Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, UK
The Loop is set to resume festival testing in 2024!
The Loop will be delivering its pioneering ‘back of house’ drug testing during the festival period this year following the successful application and receipt of Home Office licences to proceed | The Loop, UK
Love Saves The Day’s clampdown on illegal drugs
"It felt really important to raise awareness around harm and reduction and also have that ability for some back-of-the house testing," said LSTD director Tom Paine | BBC, UK
Dangerous nitazene drugs linked to rise in deaths
The National Crime Agency has revealed that a dangerous new drug has been linked to almost 176 deaths in the UK - with 47 of these in Scotland | BBC, UK
Fourth person dies amid contaminated heroin probe
The force has said the current supply of heroin and crack cocaine in the area "may be contaminated with synthetic opioids" | BBC, UK
Trends in vaping and smoking following the rise of disposable e-cigarettes: a repeat cross-sectional study in England between 2016 and 2023
There has been a rapid rise in disposable (single-use) e-cigarette vaping among young adults in England since June 2021 (leading to a planned ban on these products). We examined how this has affected population trends in current (i) vaping, (ii) tobacco smoking, and (iii) inhaled nicotine use | Lancet, UK
General Report of Activities 2023 – key achievements and governance: a year in review
The General Report of Activities is an annual publication providing a detailed progress report of the EMCDDA’s activities over a 12-month period. It catalogues the Centre’s achievements in each area of its annual work programme. The report is a useful information source for all those seeking comprehensive information on the Centre and its work | EMCDDA, Portugal
Restricting the content of alcohol advertising and including text health warnings: A between-group online experiment with a non-probability adult sample in the United Kingdom
[Open access] Among a sample of adults in the UK, eliminating 'feel good' content from a mock vodka advert and replacing a typical 'drink responsibly' message with specific and multiple health warnings both reduced the attractiveness of the drink and weakened intentions to try it | Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, UK
Evaluation of the National Mission on Drug Deaths-Frontline staff survey 2023
This report presents findings from a 2023 survey of staff working in frontline alcohol and drug services in Scotland. The survey findings highlight some positive aspects about working in alcohol and drug services. More than eight in ten (82%) reported that they enjoy working in the sector a lot or all of the time. Seven in ten agreed that they get the support (70%) and the training (75%) they need to do their job a lot or all of the time. However, the findings highlight several less positive aspects. More than half (56%) of respondents felt under pressure a lot or all of the time | PHS, UK
Five Years After Medical Cannabis Was Legalised, Almost a Third of Police Officers Still Don’t Know and Patients Get ‘Penalised For Our Prescriptions’
Medical cannabis has been legal on prescription in the UK since November 2018, and an estimated 30,000 people use it, yet patients are being ‘discriminated’ against and even arrested and charged | Byline Times, UK
Snus Use in English Professional Football (PDF)
Anecdotal evidence from players and staff suggests that snus (a smokeless tobacco pouch placed between the lip and gum) is commonly used among professional footballers in England. Snus use has been associated with a variety of health conditions in the general population, but at present, there is no available evidence about how and why professional football players use snus to inform wellbeing plans. The aim of this research was to explore snus use in men’s and women’s professional English football to better understand prevalence, motivations, sources, and perceived health and performance effects | Loughborough University, UK
One in five professional footballers using snus or tobacco-free nicotine pouches, says study
Around one in five professional football players currently use snus, tobacco-free nicotine pouches or both, according to a study | Sky News, UK
Mum's campaign changes drug sentencing guidelines
From 1 April, supplying drugs to a child under 16 will be considered an "aggravating factor" at sentencing. Previously, courts could take into account the age of a victim when considering what term to impose but the new amendment would make it more explicit | BBC, UK
Illegal synthetic opioids: Can Europe prevent a crisis?
Potent synthetic opioids, illegally produced, are starting to emerge in Europe. Considering the damaging harms caused by the opioid crisis in North America, which has led to a substantial surge in overdose deaths, it is crucial that European leaders understand the challenges associated with synthetic opioids. In this Perspective, we present and discuss the current situation in Europe concerning synthetic opioids, and draw on earlier and ongoing crises involving this group of substances to reflect on likely challenges ahead and ways to improve preparedness | RAND Corporation, USA
EU Drug Markets: Drivers and facilitators — new report unveils dynamics of illicit drug market
In a new report out today, EU Drug Markets: Drivers and facilitators, the EMCDDA and Europol, provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of drug production, trafficking and distribution. The report is a key element in the EU Drug Markets: In-depth analysis from the two agencies, their fourth comprehensive overview of illicit drug markets in the EU. The analysis focuses on three main market drivers: globalisation, technology and innovation, and criminal tools | EMCDDA, Portugal
Decriminalising cannabis could cause harm - expert [Jersey]
A professor representing 26 European medical associations has said it does not make sense to decriminalise cannabis in Jersey | BBC, UK
French Open: Alcohol banned in stands after fan spits chewing gum at David Goffin
Alcohol has been banned in the stands at Roland Garros by French Open bosses after a fan spat chewing gum at David Goffin | ITV, UK