Drug Policy News - DPN

15/09/2022

Here I met my colleagues in Strasbourg.

21/02/2022

Dr. , Pioneer of , TB and HIV treatment died today at 62. RIP.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/02/21/1082117707/global-health-champion-dr-paul-farmer-has-died

Known for his efforts to improve global health and as the founder of the nonprofit health organization Partners in Health, Farmer died in Rwanda at age 62.

14/02/2022

now kill more than 100,000 Americans a year — more than vehicle crash and gun deaths combined.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/13/briefing/opioids-drug-overdose-death-toll.html

Overdoses are increasing at a troubling rate.

07/02/2022

In a large, representative sample of adults in Germany, the majority were ever-drinkers and one fifth were hazardous drinkers. Higher consumption was prevalent in certain sociodemographic groups who may benefit from targeted alcohol reduction policies and support.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460321003440

06/02/2022

‘Opioid use stigma’ – this recent study examines student attitudes on and claims that creating stigma interventions specific to harm reduction may better inform attitudes and alter current perceptions towards a more positive and supportive stance on harm reduction.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-022-00756-7

05/02/2022

A recent study shows that experiences with take-home dosing in -assisted treatment in during the pandemic has benefitted many patients. The results show take-home dosing as feasible and safe.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395921004667

04/02/2022

According to the WHO, 90% of lung cancer cases can be prevented by not using to***co. A balanced and coherent drug policy must therefore aim to reduce or prevent harm from illicit and licit drugs at all levels: health, evidence-based and social.

WHO Regional Office for Europe

03/02/2022

Spanish authorities warn that growers are passing off illegal cannabis as h**p for industrial use. Recreational ma*****na is flourishing in the guise of legal h**p crops for industrial and medical purposes, and a multi-million-dollar business with it.

https://english.elpais.com/spain/2022-01-12/why-ma*****na-plantations-are-spreading-across-southern-spain.html

With seizures jumping eighteenfold in Almería province, authorities warn that growers are passing off illegal cannabis as h**p for industrial use

02/02/2022

According to CNN, ‘drugs, violence, and racism are creating a “cocktail of neglect” in Marseille. A spate of drug-related killings in the French city in recent months prompted visits from Emmanuel Macron as well as a promise of billions of euros to tackle the problem.

- https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/28/europe/marseille-drugs-violence-racism-france-intl-cmd/index.html

Ahead of the French presidential election early next year, Marseille looks set to become a battleground for candidates to show their commitment to addressing socioeconomic problems.

01/02/2022

A report by UK academics indicates that minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol may not change the habits of heavy drinkers in Ireland.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/minimum-pricing-may-not-alter-habits-of-heavy-drinkers-according-to-report-41223658.html

A report by UK academics indicates that minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol may not change the habits of heavy drinkers in Ireland.

31/01/2022

In this study published in Science, Dr Wang Sheng tests non-hallucinogenic analogues of psilocybin and L*D for their antidepressant properties:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl8615

27/01/2022

The BBC Documentary Podcast explores in this episode the major role played by UK dealers in the global business which is estimated to be worth more than a billion dollars a year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bkh5j5

The high stakes cat and mouse game between police and darknet drug dealers

27/01/2022

The science is split when it comes to the risks and uses of the cannabis plant for youth in particular.

https://www.dw.com/en/cannabis-legalization-health-risks-and-benefits/a-60550387

Better s*x and protection from COVID-19 versus reduced cognitive ability and long-term damage — the science is split when it comes to the risks and uses of the cannabis plant for youth in particular.

24/01/2022

A Russian court has sentenced four men to lengthy jail terms for trying to smuggle nearly 400kg (880lb) of co***ne in suitcases from the Russian embassy in Argentinia.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/20/four-jailed-for-trying-to-smuggle-co***ne-through-russias-argentine-embassy

Plan foiled after investigators replace drugs worth $62m with flour

22/01/2022

The history of drug use is old. It is clear that mixing hallucinogenic drugs with alcohol is not "safer use". And the conclusion of archaeologists that intimate dinner parties with drug use helped an ancient empire in the Andes rule for centuries is more than bold.

https://www.businessinsider.com/peru-drug-laced-beers-helped-ancient-empire-prosper-wari-2022-1

According to a new archaeological study, leaders of the Wari empire that ruled Peru added hallucinogenic seeds to beer to sustain political control.

21/01/2022

The world's largest drug survey, the (GDS), is now 10 years old. The 2022 edition is online and can be filled out. The results help researchers to better understand the drug phenomenon.

globaldrugsurvey.com

20/01/2022

The authors of this publication conclude that decriminalising drug use would reduce costs and HIV transmission through increased use of opioid agonists and antiretroviral therapy among people who use drugs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34895484/

18/01/2022

The EMCDDA and University Institute of Lisbon have issued updates on their European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools. The two-week online courses focus on different areas of and include various workshops, lectures, and guest speakers.

http://ow.ly/2iWV50HwiCh

17/01/2022

Middle-class drug users could lose UK passports and driving licences under Boris Johnson’s new plans to target wealthy professionals who use drugs, who the government argue are driving exploitative practices with their demand.

http://ow.ly/kaWb50HrSJR

16/01/2022

15/01/2022

In the USA states with some of the largest legal cannabis markets are also dealing with rampant illegal production — and the problem is getting worse.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/14/oregon-ma*****na-legalization-black-market-enforcement-527012

Legalization was supposed to take care of the black market. It hasn’t worked out that way.

14/01/2022

Sadiq Khan “could back decriminalisation in London boroughs” under a new pilot scheme. The scheme could see those aged 18 to 24 found with “small” amounts of cannabis in certain areas to be offered counselling or speeding course-style classes.

http://ow.ly/ykU050HrR0J

14/01/2022

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued some patrol officers with Naloxone that reverses certain types of drugs overdose.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-59511779

A number of Belfast officers are carrying the drug Naloxone, which reverses some types of overdoses.

12/01/2022

According to a recent study, cost savings from decriminalisation of drug use could greatly reduce HIV transmission through increased coverage of opioid agonist therapy and ART among people who inject drugs in Eastern Europe.

http://ow.ly/QKKQ50HrQA9

12/01/2022

Italian Mafia, welcome to the digital age: Last year, too, a Mafia member who is accused of trafficking co***ne in the Netherlands on behalf of the ’Ndrangheta mafia was caught because he left traces on the Internet.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/05/italian-mafia-fugitive-arrested-in-spain-after-google-maps-sighting

Convicted murderer Gioacchino Gammino tracked down in Galapagar, where he had lived undetected for 20 years

27/12/2021

The White House on Wednesday announced a new push to encourage measures that make illicit drug use safer. Interview with Biden's drug czar Dr. Rahul Gupta.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/08/health/drug-czar-gupta-exclusive/index.html

The White House on Wednesday announced a new push to encourage harm reduction measures that make illicit drug use safer. Its supplying $30 million in grants for services such syringe exchanges and naloxone, the opioid overdose antidote.

25/12/2021

For many, the Christmas season is a time to show more kindness and compassion. So you may like to read this interesting opinion piece in the , by on how to better reach vulnerable people with in times of .

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMpv2035709

21/12/2021

Since making ma*****na legal, the Canadian government has continued to inch toward a softer , experts say.

http://ow.ly/fVf250HaUe0

20/12/2021

A recent press release announces the largest ever increase in funding for . The 10-year drug strategy, which aims to tackle drug use and prevent crime, includes improving access to those in prison, peer mentoring programmes, and more.

http://ow.ly/Hcoz50HaU1G

19/12/2021

Malta is set to become the first country in Europe to legalise the cultivation and consumption of *****na for recreational use.

http://ow.ly/X2NY50HaTZi