29th October

Shooting Up: Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2006 
Health Protection Agency, Health Protection Scotland, National Public Health Service for Wales, CDSC Northern Ireland, and the CRDHB. London, Health Protection Agency, 2007
ISBN 9780901144959
Today the Health Protection Agency (HPA) releases its annual report on rates of infectious and communicable diseases among injecting drug users called Shooting up. The HPA is a special health authority with responsibility for matters of public health. Injecting drug users are at particularly high risk of a range of infectious and communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C and wound botulism, increasing the rates of mortality and ill health among this group. 

25th October 2007

Two statistical bulletins from the Home  Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate were published today
Seizures of Drugs in England & Wales, 2005
Reed E.
Home Office, 2007

 Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2006/07 British Crime Survey England & Wales
Murphy R., Roe S.
Home Office 2007

24th October 2007

The impact of heavy cannabis use on young people: Vulnerability and youth transitions 
Melrose M., Turner P., Pitts J., Barrett D. UK. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
ISBN 9781859356081
New research on impact of young people’s cannabis use demonstrates pre-existing social problems can be increased by heavy use of the drug. 

The mental health of prisoners: a thematic review of the care and support of prisoners with mental health needs
HM Inspector of Prisons
ISBN: 97818409901079
The report, The mental health of prisoners (1), highlights failings in the provision of mental health care for the prison population.  Many people in prison experience complex mental health problems that are frequently related to substance misuse.  In this context, the report also assesses responses to the needs of prisoners who are drug and/or alcohol dependent.