MEDIA SAVVY
Wales. A cautious note of optimism is
struck by the fact that, while
previous increases had been
‘statistically significant’, rates since
2015 are only increasing slightly and
remain ‘broadly stable’. Fentanyl-
related deaths continue to rise,
however, and deaths related to
cocaine have now increased for six
years in a row.
The news, and the skews, in the national media
NOVEMBER
SEPTEMBER
As a WHO report states that one in
20 global deaths are now caused by
alcohol, PHE launches its ‘Drink Free
Days’ campaign in collaboration with
Drinkaware as a ‘clear to follow,
positive and achievable’ way for
middle-aged drinkers to reduce their
health risk. Partnering with the
industry-funded body, however, leads
to concern from some in the
treatment sector and the resignation
of PHE’s alcohol leadership board co-
chair Sir Ian Gilmore.
Scotland pledges a ‘person-centred,
health approach’ in its new drug
strategy, Rights, respect and recovery.
Meanwhile, the impact of price
increases associated with ongoing
buprenorphine supply problems
continues to be felt, compounded, as
PHE’s Pete Burkinshaw tells DDN, by
‘the financial pressures local
authorities and services are currently
under. We will continue to do
everything we possibly can.’
August: Fentanyl-
related deaths
continue to rise,
and deaths related
to cocaine have
now increased for
six years in a row.
OCTOBER
Canada becomes the second, and
largest, country to legalise the
recreational use of cannabis, with
justice minister Jody Wilson-
Raybould stating that this
‘progressive public policy’ would help
keep cannabis ‘out of the hands of
youth and profits out of the pockets
of criminals’.
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
DECEMBER
As the year comes to close
preparations are well underway to
bring people together for DDN’s 2019
conference, Keep on Moving. See you
on 21 February!
IN THE UK, ALCOHOL IS A NATIONAL
TREASURE. While advocates against the
status quo should continue to unroll
startling health data to the public, we
have another task that is equally im -
portant: dismantling the glorification
of alcohol. Regulating the messages on
billboards and products and, more
perniciously, on card racks and in gift
shops. The messages on t-shirts,
candles, coasters, and fridge magnets;
everywhere you look. The endorsement
and enabling of binge drinking sells,
because so many of us do it.
Catherine Gray, Lancet , 1 November
October next year. I
haven’t seen a single
good reason for the
delay… In the welter of
negativity about politics, it
is easy to forget that many
politicians have principles,
and that some of them
are even prepared to
stand by them. My view
is that most politicians are
more idealistic and sincere
than most people think.
Thank you to Tracey Crouch for
reminding us of that.
John Rentoul, Independent ,
4 November
‘It is easy to forget
that many
politicians have
principles, and that
some of them are
even prepared to
stand by them.’
THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE
ALCOHOL ARE LEGION. The Alcohol
Health Alliance, a group of more than
50 medical organisations, says 23,000
deaths a year are linked to alcohol…
The unpalatable truth is that the NHS
itself militates against individual
responsibility because its core
assumption of healthcare entitlement
is a one-way street. People will only
alter their risky behaviour if they have
to contribute to the cost of treating
the consequences. That means
replacing the NHS with some kind of
European-style social insurance
system, with higher premiums for self-
destructive lifestyles.
Melanie Phillips, Times , 6 November GAMBLING IS A SIMPLE BUT SOCIALLY
WASTEFUL BUSINESS where the
amount of money made by the
industry varies according to the losses
made by the punters. And when it
becomes addictive – as it often does –
there are higher healthcare, welfare
and criminal justice bills to be paid.
The government will never eradicate
problem gambling but it can take
steps to minimise it.
Larry Elliott, Guardian , 8 November
TRACEY CROUCH, THE SPORTS
MINISTER, earned widespread
admiration this week for her
principled resignation over gambling
machines. She wants a law to cut the
maximum stake from £100 every 20
seconds to £2, and was furious when
Philip Hammond in the Budget
announced it would be delayed until THANKS TO THE ‘COUNTY LINES’
BUSINESS MODEL of the gangs, huge
quantities of coke are now flooding
Britain’s market towns and villages,
bringing bloodshed in their wake. As
the wave of violence sweeps the UK,
those who snort this drug cannot
maintain their moral blindspot.
Clare Foges, Sun , 7 November
December/January 2019 | drinkanddrugsnews | 21