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Injection centre not a honeypot

The NSW government may soon make a decision on the future of an injection centre trial in Sydney’s Kings Cross, as a report found it has not led to an increase in crime and drug use.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) released a report on Monday that said the injecting centre on Darlinghurst Road had not become a “honeypot” for drug-related loitering and crime.

Only a small proportion of drug dealing, trafficking and possession incidents in Kings Cross took place within 50 metres of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre during the past decade, the BOCSAR report said.

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El Chapo – the Mexican drug czar whose influence we should all fear

Although we should learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others, we persist in following the failed tactics of the US in relation to drugs. Our drug problems, which began in Dublin, have gradually spread throughout the country.

Gardaí currently estimate there are around 100 heroin users in Tralee. How long will it be before other places witness the gunplay currently blighting the Finglas area of Dublin?

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The Law (and Politics) of Safe Injection Facilities in the United States

Safe injection facilities (SIFs) have shown promise in reducing harms and social costs associated with injection drug use. Favorable evaluations elsewhere have raised the issue of their implementation in the United States. Recognizing that laws shape health interventions targeting drug users, we analyzed the legal environment for publicly authorized SIFs in the United States. Although states and some municipalities have the power to authorize SIFs under state law, federal authorities could still interfere with these facilities under the Controlled Substances Act.

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Shooting Gallery Operation in the Context of Establishing a Medically Supervised Injecting Center: Sydney, Australia

Shooting galleries (SGs) are illicit off-street spaces close to drug markets used for drug injection. Supervised injecting facilities (SIFs) are low threshold health services where injecting drug users (IDUs) can inject pre-obtained drugs under supervision. This study describes SG use in Kings Cross, Sydney before and after the opening of the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC), Australia’s first SIF. Operational and environmental characteristics of SGs, reasons for SG use, and willingness to use MSIC were also examined.

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Interest of drug injection rooms under medical supervision

On September 2, Jacky Le MENN drew the attention of the Prime Minister on the relevance of drug injection rooms under medical supervision for prevention, care and approaches to weaning and stopping products.

Indeed, this idea derives all its power of positive experiences conducted in eight countries, including Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands and is supported by the favorable opinion of the Committee of Experts of INSERM.

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Québec renounces to supervised injection sites

Ottawa - As Tony Clement, federal Minister of Health, incurred the wrath of the medical and political positions in trenches about supervised injection sites and drug addict in general, it is a unexpected ally on Quebec City. His new vis-à-vis, Dr. Yves Bolduc, abandoned open such sites in the province.

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Podcast on Schizophrenia.

Hepatitis C care quality condemned by UK MPs

Although hepatitis C’s exact contribution to rising mortality is difficult to calculate, the report from the All-Party Parliamentary Hepatology Group said it was certainly “underestimated” because so few people are diagnosed andcondemned the wide variation in the quality of patient services in NHS hospitals.

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Needle-sharing problem grew after fixed exchange closed, researchers say

Still Hidden, Still Harmed Conference, Swansea , Wales

Thursday 25th November 2010. at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea

Safeguarding & Parental Substance Misuse Conference The conference will seek to identify some of the issues services are facing around the “Hidden Harm” safeguarding agenda and will show case Good Practice Models from across the UK.

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