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The Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) has released a look back over 2017 highlighting its key moments as captured in the monthly IAS alerts.
Pricing issues of course feature as the year saw the conclusion to Scotland's long running minimum unit pricing (MUP) legal battle, as well as news and research covering a range of further policy issues including advertising, drink driving, parental drinking and other issues.
Continue reading "IAS looks back on 2017 'year in review'" »
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A new research report has issued a stark warning over England’s drug and alcohol treatment system in the context of ongoing cuts to public health budgets. The report was released by Adfam on behalf of the Recovery Partnership who have been releasing annual 'state of the sector' reports.
Key findings include:
Continue reading "Treatment system warnings from 'state of the sector' and CQC reports" »
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New figures from a survey commissioned by Alcohol Concern suggest over 3 million people in the UK are planning to give up alcohol over January.
In recent years we have reported on the rise of Dry January and other 'sober sprint' campaigns. This month Alcohol Concern encouraging drinkers to sign up and potentially experience a number of reported benefits such as saving money, having more energy or losing weight.
Continue reading "Three million plan for Dry January 2018: a boost for public health?" »
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The Welsh Government has been hearing evidence on Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) from a broad range of stakeholders as the deadline to submit evidence to the Welsh MUP consultation closes on 15th December 2017.
Wales' MUP move follows the recent legal go ahead for MUP in Scotland after a protracted five year legal battle spearheaded by sections of the alcohol industry. Scotland's current open online consultation runs until January next year though the Scottish Government will most likely be focused on key implementation questions before the law comes into force.
Continue reading "Wales MUP evidence heard as consultation closes" »
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Recent bulletins from the Findings drug and alcohol bank:
No clear role for medications in less dependent drinkers
In 2013 nalmefene was authorised for moderating drinking among patients not in need of detoxification, extending pharmacotherapy to less dependent drinkers. Though uniquely authorised for this purpose, this review found other (and probably cheaper) drugs have been just as or possibly more effective, but for none was there high quality evidence, and for some substantial safety concerns.
Can drinking be reduced in a single session?
Review finds that heavy-drinking college students respond best to single-session brief interventions that use motivational and/or personalised feedback approaches. Key question is whether the drinking reductions – which the authors acknowledge are ‘modest’ in clinical terms – would be replicated in real life (as opposed to study) settings.
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Forthcoming events & dates
On 12 December 2017 an event 'Tackling alcohol and addictions through applied health research' is hosted by King's College London and NIHR CLAHRC South London. The half-day conference will showcase current work iand provide a platform for PhD students to discuss the challenges of completing a PhD and present their projects. Further details and registration here.
On Tuesday 23rd January 2018 the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) and Centre for Mental Health is hosting an event on 'Alcohol and mental health'. The event will highlight new research findings and the issues facing alcohol and mental health services. The event is invite only but if you are interested in attending contact Kellie Donaldson (e-mail [email protected] / tel 02072224001.
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The Scottish Government has launched an open consultation on its minimum unit pricing (MUP) plans following the green light last month from the Supreme Court.
The short consultation offers a free text response on the Scottish Government’s 'preferred price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol', which closes on 26 January 2018. Download the consultation paper here.
Evaluating the impact of MUP
NHS Scotland has detailed the MUP evaluation portfolio with a slide set (pptx) setting out the theoretical, legal and practical elements of the programme. It sets out a 'portfolio of MESAS studies that are feasible, robust, necessary, sufficient and proportionate to fulfil the requirements of legislation' in addition to researchers applying for other grant funding to answer other important questions.
Continue reading "Scottish Government minimum pricing consultation & evaluation details" »
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Selected media stories since the October round-up:
Big alcohol policy news in November came with the Supreme Court's judgement to allow minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland. As the Guardian put it: The UK supreme court has backed the Scottish government’s plans to introduce a minimum price . After a five-year legal battle against the plans led by the Scotch Whisky Association, the court ruled that minimum pricing was legal on health grounds under EU law. The seven judges unanimously agreed it was “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”. See our coverage here and an Alcohol Concern explainer here.
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The latest Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) Alcohol Alert: November 2017 is now available (here for PDF version). Read the editorial here and articles below:
Continue reading "IAS Alert November 2017: MUP, white cider, GPs, deaths, AAW & more" »
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Its editor is Dr James Morris. Got a question? Email us.
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