Bibliography: Domestic Policy Issues

Published in the June issue of the journal Health Affairs, the study shows that the increased number and geographic distribution of physicians obtaining waivers to prescribe buprenorphine has widened potential access to effective treatment for those with addiction to heroin or prescription painkillers (RAND)

The paper addresses a range of issues including prevention and treatment issues (Irish Medical Organisation)

Impact assessment of the bill (Home Office)

This blog attempts to briefly identify key components of the Bill and describe what it is proposing, as well as offering a few initial commentary notes (Centre for Public Health)

This law will probably (at least initially) wipe out the high street ‘head shops’ which the Daily Mail and Centre for Social Justice are so concerned about. However, banning something has never yet simply made a drug disappear (Adam Smith Institute)

Memorandum by the (Home Office)

To make provision about psychoactive substances; and for connected purposes (Parliament UK)

See pages 72-74 of the notes for information on NPS. The legislation aims to “Protect hard-working citizens from the risks posted by untested, unknown and potential harmful drugs and create a blanket ban which would prohibit and disrupt the production, distribution, sale and supply of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the UK (Cabinet Office, UK)

Progress Report to End 2014 (Ireland)

This report reviews the impact of the Forum during 2014 and looks ahead by setting out recommendations that seek to reduce the numbers at risk (SFAD)

This fourth NTI report provides 2012–2013 fiscal-year data from six provinces, one territory and one provincial association and has expanded its scope to include information on the primary substance for which treatment was sought. The report also includes information on the total number of hospital stays related to substance use disorders and their associated costs. (CCSA)

Submission on Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 (RCPI)

When 80 per cent of your clients have a dual diagnosis, asking whether the service needs a dual diagnosis worker is getting things the wrong way around (Advances in Dual Diagnosis)

A new strategy is required to address the current prevalence and nature of drug use in Ireland which needs to contain high level actions which can be broadly categorised under (1) National Substance Misuse Strategy, (2) Community Impact & Crime, (3)Health, Treatment & Rehabilitation, (4) Prevention & Early Intervention. (Fianna Fáil)

We believe that the federal government’s short-sighted policy will harm the very people it was meant to protect (NEJM)

This is the third in a series of briefings by DrugScope on behalf of the Recovery Partnership which examines some of the broader issues around recovery from substance misuse problems (DrugScope)

The contradictions and reversals involved in the reclassification of cannabis, it is argued, can be readily understood in terms of the broader politics of crime and control and the ‘structured ambivalence’ of state responses (Drug Policy)

Report presented to the crime prevention minister recommends a revised generic description, designed to control a broad-range of ‘third generation’ synthetic cannabinoids (AMCD)

List of proposals to review and amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (AMCD)

Letter from the Minister of State to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) about proposals to review the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (Home Office)