Read our round-up of what’s happening across the UK
International Overdose Awareness Day
The 31st August 2016 marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), a global event held annually to both raise awareness and reduce the stigma that still surrounds drug-related deaths.
Record drug fatalities ‘a national tragedy’ for Scotland
Scotland has once again recorded its highest ever number of drug-related deaths, at 706 – almost two per day.
There were 1.09m hospital admissions for an alcohol-related disease, injury or condition in 2014-15, up from 1.06m the previous year, according to the latest figures from the Heath and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).
Government unveils major prison reforms
Sweeping reforms of the prison system were announced as part of last month’s Queen’s Speech, including the establishment of six autonomous ‘reform prisons’
The Queen’s Speech saw the government announce a major shake-up of the prison system. DDN hears from a former governor about what sort of impact the measures might have
MDMA back in vogue as NPS numbers continue to rise
The declining levels of MDMA use in Europe since the early to mid 2000s have been reversed, according EMCDDA’s annual drug report
Muted response to first ungass since 1990s
The world needs global drug policies that ‘put people first’, UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov told the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs in New York
Doctors: e-cigarettes ‘no gateway’ to smoking
E-cigarettes are much safer than smoking, do not result in the normalisation of smoking and do not act as a gateway to smoking, says a report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
‘Put people first,’ Fedotov tells UNGASS
The world needs global drug policies that ‘put people first’, UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov told the opening session of the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs.
‘No slowdown’ in new psychoactive substances, says EMCDDA
There are ‘no signs of a slowdown’ in the development and discovery of new psychoactive substances (NPS), according to the EMCDDA’s latest report on the continent’s drug markets.
Services continue to feel cuts pain
Nearly 60 per cent of residential treatment services have reported a decrease in funding to the Recovery Partnership’s latest State of the sector report, along with nearly 40 per cent of community services.
Decriminalisation would mean global gains, say medics
Drugs should be decriminalised across the globe as existing policies are directly contributing to ‘many of today’s most urgent public health crises’, according to a commission of medical experts.
Lib Dems make legal cannabis case
A report setting out what a regulated cannabis market in the UK could look like has been published by the Liberal Democrats.
Publi
c health directors voice cuts concerns
More than 70 per cent of directors of public health say that drug and alcohol services in their area are likely to be reduced in the coming financial year, according to a survey by their membership body, the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH).
Prison staff overwhelmed by NPS crisis
Health staff at a large Nottinghamshire prison risk being ‘overwhelmed’ by the demands of treating people seriously affected by use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), according to a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
Public health directors voice cuts concerns
More than 70 per cent of directors of public health say that drug and alcohol services in their area are likely to be reduced in 2016-17, according to a survey by their membership body, the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH).
CMO toughens alcohol guidelines
Men should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, according to strict new guidelines from the chief medical officer. The previous recommendation was 14 units for women and 21 for men.
Ireland considers consumptions rooms and decriminalisation for personal use
The Government of Ireland is considering the introduction of drug consumption rooms, as well as decriminalising small amounts of drugs for personal use.
Laughable’ alcohol responsibility deal has worsened nation’s health, says charity
The government’s controversial public health responsibility deal for alcohol has pursued initiatives ‘known to have limited efficacy’ while obstructing more meaningful action, according to a damning report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS).
Medications in drug treatment: tackling the risks to children.
More children than previously thought are dying or being hospitalised after ingesting opioid substitution therapy (OST) medications, according to a new report from Adfam.
Treatment threatened by constant re-procurement, warns ACMD
The quality of treatment for heroin users is being threatened by diminishing funds and ‘disruptive re-procurement processes’, according to a new report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)
A round-up of national news
A look at local news from across the country