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Weekly news - 18th October 2024 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
Researchers urge UK governments to tackle serious mental health illness and substance use
On World Mental Health Day (Oct 10), a study led by Professor of Substance Use Research Elizabeth Hughes, from Glasgow Caledonian University, has been published by the funders, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The study revealed services across the UK remain ill-equipped to meet the needs of people with co- existing serious mental health and substance use conditions. It said change requires joined-up government policy and local integration of health and social care services, with clinical leads supporting the workforce to come together | GCU, UK
Industry-backed apps designed to cut drinking ‘mislead users’, researchers warn
The use of features which aim to manipulate and influence consumers for their own interests was uncovered | Independent, UK
Scots panel drafted to help drugs crisis response
A group of randomly chosen Scots will help MSPs come up with creative solutions to tackle drug deaths, Holyrood has announced – launching the people’s panel on drug harms | HealthandCare.Scot, UK
MPs, smoking survivors and bereaved families gather in Parliament to back Tobacco and Vapes Bill
At the inaugural meeting of the newly formed APPG on Smoking and Health, smoking survivors and bereaved families heard from the Minister for Public Health on the Government’s bold plans to create a Smokefree country. This includes re-introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament which will raise the age of sale annually, ensuring no one born after 2009 will ever be legally be sold tobacco, alongside vital measures to curb youth vaping | ASH, UK
Former Blair adviser calls for higher taxes on fuel and alcohol
Rachel Reeves should increase taxes on fuel and alcohol in her Budget to help fund a “decade of renewal” in public services, a former No 10 adviser has said | i news, UK
Research centre for addiction and mental health announced
A new £11 million research centre has been announced focused on how to improve provision of, and access to, essential addiction and mental health services. A new £11 million research centre has been announced focused on how to improve provision of, and access to, essential addiction and mental health services | University of York, UK
First study to show high potency cannabis use leaves unique signature on DNA
High potency cannabis use leaves a distinct mark on DNA, according to new research by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London and the University of Exeter | University of Exeter, UK
Tackling hospital service burden of alcohol dependence in England: a service evaluation of alcohol care teams (ACTs) and care pathways for integrated care
[Open access] The aim in 2019 was that establishing alcohol care teams in acute hospital settings would reduce the alcohol-related burden on hospital services and improve care pathways between hospitals, GPs and community care. Interviews with staff in one city reveal the achievements and the impediments to further progress | DEPP, UK
Spice-spiked Vapes
Research conducted by the University of Bath has uncovered that one in six vapes confiscated in schools contained the synthetic drug Spice. Using a device developed at the university—the world’s first portable device that instantly detects synthetic drugs—Professor Chris Pudney conducted tests in 38 schools in London, the west midlands, Greater Manchester and south Yorkshire | They work for you, UK
Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England, 2023
This report contains results from the latest survey of secondary school pupils in England in years 7 to 11 (mostly aged 11 to 15), focusing on smoking, drinking and drug use. It covers a range of topics including prevalence, habits, attitudes, and wellbeing | NHS Digital, UK
Almost 1 in 10 secondary school pupils currently vape, new NHS survey shows
A quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) do it frequently, according to new statistics published [yesterday]. The Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England report for 2023 showed regular or occasional vaping in high school children had increased from 6% in 2018. The report also shows only 11% of young people have smoked at least once, the lowest level recorded by the survey | NHS England, UK
Rachel Reeves considers raising tax on vapes in autumn budget
Exclusive: news comes as figures show a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds in England have tried vaping | Guardian, UK
Press release: Virtual reality and wearable technology pilot to cut drug deaths
The government will fund research into wearable technology, virtual reality and artificial intelligence in a bid to support people with drug addictions | Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Life Sciences and Andrew Gwynne MP, UK
Alcohol-Free Childhood campaign wins First Minister backing
The First Minister John Swinney has given his support to a joint campaign aimed at ensuring that children and young people in Scotland grow up free from the harmful effects of alcohol marketing | Alcohol Focus Scotland, UK
The impact of Scotland's minimum unit pricing for alcohol policy on people accessing services for alcohol dependence: A difference-in-difference structured interview study
Alcohol-dependent clients seen at treatment services in England and Scotland were interviewed before and after Scotland effectively banned the sale of strong, cheap drink. There was no evidence that as a result the sample in Scotland reduced drinking or improved health, but neither were there any significant negative impacts on family or economic deprivation | DAR, UK
Minimum alcohol pricing looks set to be introduced in NI
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is seeking the backing of his executive colleagues to bring the legislation to the assembly | BBC, UK