News in brief

15 February 2010
The latest news round up.
Tenderness or tension?
More than one in four relationships is marred by alcohol, according to new research from Drinkaware. Twenty-six per cent of British adults had argued with a partner because of alcohol, 14 per cent had worried about the effect of drink on their relationship and 11 per cent had been embarrassed by a partner’s drink-induced behaviour. ‘Lots of things influence our relationships and alcohol is no exception,’ said consultant psychiatrist and member of Drinkaware’s medical advisory panel Dr Jonathan Chick. ‘While many couples enjoy a drink together, for some alcohol can spoil the evening. You don’t have to be an alcoholic for alcohol to damage your love life. People should think more about the role alcohol plays in their relationship – they might see it’s causing more tension than tenderness. www.drinkaware.co.uk

Custody concerns
A new website providing independent advice to ministers on deaths in custody has been launched by the Independent Advisory Panel, part of the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody. The website features good practice and guidance on preventing deaths. ‘The aim is that, as the website develops, it will be used as a resource for those working within the different custodial sectors to share good practice and learning on preventing and reducing the number of deaths in custody,’ said chair of the panel, Lord Toby Harris. iapdeathsincustody.independent.gov.uk
Friendly business
Nearly 80 per cent of young people can get hold of cannabis in under an hour, according to research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). Most of the 11 to 19-year-olds questioned for Cannabis supply and young people said they bought the drug from friends, with only 6 per cent having used an unknown seller. Seventy per cent said they shared the costs with a group of friends. ‘The researchers conclude that cannabis supply among the young people was social rather than commercial and not linked to more overtly criminal drug markets,’ says JRF. ‘However, cannabis use was embedded in their social world. Change in the drug’s legal status may have little impact.’

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