News and Notes

Abstract

AddictionVolume 106, Issue 4 p. 858-861 Free Access News and Notes Compiled by Jean O'Reilly and Peter Miller First published: 03 March 2011 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03382.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat DEATH OF ADDICTION RESEARCHER BRUCE ROUNSAVILLE On 9 January 2011, Yale University Professor Bruce Rounsaville died, age 61. Rounsaville, a psychiatrist, was schooled at Yale, did his residency there, and then joined the Yale School of Medicine faculty in the late 1970s. He pioneered several areas of addiction treatment and was an early advocate for the acceptance of compulsive gambling as a treatable disorder. He is particularly well known for developing the Stage Model of Psychotherapy Development, now widely used to evaluate pilot treatments for addiction. Addiction will run an obituary for Professor Rounsaville in a later issue. Source: Weir W. Yale professor Bruce Rounsaville dies: Pioneered addiction treatment. The Hartford Courant, 14 January 2011: http://www.courant.com/health/connecticut/hc-yale-professor-death-0114-20110114,0,5561201.story ADDICTION SEEKS NEWS AND NOTES EDITOR Addiction is seeking a News and Notes Editor. The News and Notes column is currently compiled by the Commissioning Editor, with support from the editorial staff. The News and Notes Editor will receive support from the Commissioning Editor and Editor-in-Chief as well as from the editorial staff. The job entails compiling and editing a selection of 7–10 news items each month that reflect a global balance as well as a balance among alcohol, drugs, solvents, gambling, and nicotine. Stories are typically gathered from summary news sources and listservs, the global press, and the occasional commissioned short report. The role is expected to occupy 10–15 hours per month. If you would like a detailed job specification, please contact Jean O'Reilly (jean@addictionjournal.org). We will be accepting nominations until 15 April 2011. Candidates who make the shortlist will be asked to prepare a News and Notes column for a particular month as part of the application process, which will be published in Addiction. COCHRANE RESEARCHERS SPEAK OUT AGAINST INDUSTRY- SPONSORED DRUG TRIALS Four members of the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group have outlined an approach to improving the integrity of published evidence regarding drugs trials. In an article recently published in the British Medical Journal[1], researcher Tom Jefferson said that robust, independent assessments of drugs were impossible as long as drugs companies that sponsored research were allowed to keep trial data secret on the basis that it is privately owned. ‘We believe we need to change the way information is identified, appraised and synthesised and regard any industry-sponsored trial published in journals as marketing, unless proved otherwise,’ he wrote. The Cochrane researchers advocate a new four-step method of conducting reviews: 1 Compile a full list of trials carried out by the drug industry and non-industry funders. 2 Request full clinical study reports for each trial. 3 Construct a table of all the evidence to clarify what kind and amount of information exists for each of the trials included in a review. 4 Decide whether a traditional review (including quantitative meta-analysis) can be done or whether the full trial programme and its dataset are of insufficient integrity to allow quantitative synthesis. Jefferson and his colleagues also call on journals to require, as a condition for consideration of publication of a randomised trial, submission of the most detailed report available (anonymised to protect patient privacy), in addition to the summary manuscript for publication. In the same edition of the British Medical Journal[2], editor Fiona Godlee said this issue was on the agenda of the annual meeting of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. References 1 Jefferson T., Doshi P., Thompson M., Heneghan C. Ensuring safe and effective drugs: Who can do what it takes? British Medical Journal 2011; 342: c7258: http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7258.full?sid=60be6a29-a99b-438a-a18b-ffb403974cf9 2 Godlee F. Goodbye PubMed, hello raw data. British Medical Journal 2011; 342: d212: http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d212.full?sid=d3512133-bcbf-494a-bff3-82f318258315 FORMATION OF EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH On 30 December 2010, the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) was formed to advance the science base of environmental, universal, selective and indicated prevention aimed at improving human health and well-being and addressing health inequalities. EUSPR supports cross-disciplinary networks of scientists, policy makers and practitioners, methodology development, promotion of higher education and career development in prevention and implementation research. Membership of the organization is open to scientists, practitioners, advocates, administrators, and policy makers from all European countries who are concerned with the modification of psychosocial and behavioural barriers to health, safety, and well-being. EUSPR will have its 2011 conference in Lisbon, Portugal from 8–9 December. Source: Mission Statement of the EUSPR: http://www.euspr.org/ DRUG COMPANY SUES MEDICAL JOURNAL FOR CRITICISING ITS PRODUCT According to a story in Le Figaro, Astellas Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, is taking the French medical journal Prescrire to court for criticising its anti-eczema ointment, Protopic. Protopic suppresses the immune system and the inflammation of eczema by inhibiting an enzyme (calcineurin) crucial for the multiplication of T-cells. Prescrire published an article in 2009 claiming that the costs of using the ointment outweighed its benefits, that some users of Protopic had developed skin cancer as a result, and that use of the ointment should be banned. Astellas Pharma's complaint was heard in a Paris court on 5 January 2011. The ruling is expected on 16 February. In the United States the Protopic Ointment drug label contains a warning of the possible risk of cancer. Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP). Un laboratoire attaque Prescrire, Le Figaro, 4 January 2011, translated by David Cohen: http://www.ahrp.org/cms/content/view/748/9/ AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION ISSUES ANNUAL REPORT ON U.S. TOBACCO CONTROL EFFORTS According to a Reuters story, the American Lung Association's annual report on the state of tobacco control in the United States—which includes a report card for the federal government and all states in key areas of tobacco control—revealed that the federal government has enacted ‘what will be regarded as the strongest tobacco control policies thus far in American history,’ according to President and CEO Charles D. Connor. The federal government received passing grades in all four areas under scrutiny, including cigarette taxes (D), the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (D), medical insurance coverage of cessation treatment (C), and FDA regulation of tobacco products (B). The ALA particularly applauded the FDA's landmark legislation to curb tobacco marketing and sales to children, to end misleading cigarette labels and to require larger health warnings on smokeless tobacco products. Individual states did not fare so well. In contrast to progress on the federal level, states lagged well behind, with Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia getting failing marks. In contrast, Arkansas, Montana, Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont did the best job at providing support to smokers trying to kick the habit, the group said. The American Lung Association said states continue to raise taxes on cigarettes, but many fail to invest that money in smoking cessation programs. ‘Most states are ducking the responsibility to help smokers quit,’ Connor said. The full report, State of Tobacco Control 2010, can be downloaded here: http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/ Source: Steenhuvsen J. Group praises US strides in tobacco control. Reuters, 20 January 2011: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE70J1DR20110120 UK NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE RELEASES ANNUAL HEALTH SURVEY FOR ENGLAND The Health Survey for England (HSE) is published each year and monitors trends in the health of the population of England. This year's report (2009) shows that one in four men (25%) and more than one in seven women (15%) had drunk more than twice the recommended levels on at least one day in the week prior to the survey. The survey also showed that, for the week prior to being surveyed: • Those in the top earning households were more likely to have drunk alcohol than those in the lowest income households. In the highest income households, 86% of men and 72% of women had drunk alcohol. This compares to 54% of men and 47% of women in the lowest income households. • Those in the top earning households were also more likely to have drunk frequently (on five days or more). In the highest income households, 29% of men and 17% of women had drunk frequently. This compares to 17% of men and 11% of women in the lowest income households. The chief executive of The NHS Information Centre, Tim Straughan, said ‘The figures show the extent to which people from all backgrounds drink alcohol both frequently and in quantities that could be harmful to their health. They show that a greater percentage in the richest households drink frequently than those in the poorest and that drinking more than twice the recommended levels on at least one day in the previous week is common irrespective of financial status.’ The full report is available at http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/hse09report Source: NHS press release: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/well-heeled-householders-among-the-biggest-drinkers-says-new-report UK DRUG POLICY COMMISSION RELEASES REPORT ON THE STIGMA OF DRUG USE The UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) has released a report, Getting serious about stigma: The problem with stigmatising drug users, which looks at public attitudes toward recovering drug users. At the heart of the report is a survey of nearly 3000 UK adults, which shows, on the plus side, that: • 81% say it's important for people recovering from drug dependence to be part of the normal community. • More than two-thirds agree we have a responsibility to provide the best possible care for people with drug dependence. • 59% see drug dependence as an illness like any other long-term chronic health problem. On the minus side, the report reveals that: • 58% agree that one of the main causes of drug dependence is lack of self-discipline and will power. • 43% would not want to live next to someone who had been dependent on drugs. • One third of respondents felt a person would be foolish to enter into a serious relationship with a person who has suffered from drug dependence, even if they seemed fully recovered. To help tackle stigma, Getting serious about stigma recommends: • Government communications and the media to be used more effectively to show the positive effects of rehabilitation and the dangers of stigmatisation. • Training and workforce development for professionals and services, to improve knowledge of drug related issues. • Action to address institutionalised stigma. • Support and promotion of community participation and increased contact with recovering drug users. The report is available at: http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/publications.shtml#Stigma_reports Source: UKDCP press release: http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/resources/Stigma_Press_Release_FINAL16Dec.pdf CONFERENCES AND EVENTS Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP) Thematic Meeting: Polypharmacy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, 1–3 April 2011, Groβe Universitätsaula, Salzburg, Austria. Website: http://cinp.org/congress/2011-thematic-meeting-salzburg/ International Harm Reduction Association's 22nd International Conference, 3–7 April 2011, Habtoor Grand Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon. Website: http://www.ihra.net/conference 37th Annual Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society, 11–15 April 2011, Melbourne, Australia. Website: http://www.kbs2011.theconferencemanager.com.au/ American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 42cd Annual Medical-Scientific Conference, 14–17 April 2011, Washington DC, USA. Website: http://www.asam.org/AnnualMeeting.html 32nd Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioural Medicine, 27–30 April 2011, Washington, DC, USA. Website: http://www.sbm.org/meeting/2011/ Australian Drug Foundation's 6th International Drugs and Young People Conference, 2–4 May 2011, Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Website: http://www.adf.org.au Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists 33rd Annual Meeting, 3–6 May 2011, Hilton-President Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Website: http://salis.org/conference/conference.html Royal College of General Practitioners 16th National Conference: Working with Drug and Alcohol Users in Primary Care 2011, 12–13 May 2011, Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, UK. Website: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/ National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers Annual Conference, 14–17 May 2011, Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Website: http://www.naatp.org/conferences/annualconference.php Fifth Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy, 23–24 May 2011, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Website: http://www.issdp.org/conferences.htm 3rd Asian Pacific Problem Gambling and Addictions Conference 2011, 2–3 June 2011, Hong Kong, SAR, China. Website: http://www.appgac.org/ 4th National Conference: Addiction and the Liver 2011, 8–9 June 2011, London, UK. Website: http://www.mahealthcareevents.co.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/conferences/detail.html?conference_uid=230 2011 UK National Smoking Cessation Conference, 13–14 June 2011, Novotel London West Hotel, London, UK. Website: http://www.uknscc.org/ College on Problems of Drug Dependence 73rd Annual Meeting, 18–23 June 2011, Westin Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida, USA. Website: http://www.cpdd.vcu.edu/ 34th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, 25–29 June 2011, Atlanta Georgia, USA. Website: http://www.rsoa.org/2011meet-Futures.htm 25th National Conference on Problem Gambling, 30 June—2 July 2011, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Website: http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4327 NAADAC National Conference on Addiction Disorders, 17–21 September 2011, San Diego, California, USA. Website: http://www.naadac.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=351&Itemid=118 13th European Federation of Therapeutic Communities Conference, 20–23 September 2011, Keble College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK. Website: http://www.eftc-europe.com/oxfordtest2011/ Beyond the Buzzword: Problematising ‘Drugs’, 3–4 October 2011, Prato, Italy. Hosted by Contemporary Drug Problems. Website: http://www.federallegalpublications.com/contemporary-drug-problems II International Congress on Dual Disorders, 5–8 October 2011, Barcelona, Spain. Website: http://www.patologiadual.es/cipd2011/en/index.htm Global Addiction 2011, 5–7 December 2011, Lisbon, Portugal. Website: http://www.globaladdiction.org/cnf-prog.php?confId=1 News and Notes welcomes contributions from its readers. Send your material to Peter Miller, News and Notes Editor, Addiction, National Addiction Centre PO48, 4 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8AF. Fax +44 (0)20 7848 5966; e-mail jean@addictionjournal.org Conference entries should be sent to Jean O'Reilly at jean@addictionjournal.org . Subject to editorial review, we will be glad to print, free of charge, details of your conference or event, up to 75 words and one entry only. Please send your notification three months before you wish the entry to appear. Volume106, Issue4April 2011Pages 858-861 ReferencesRelatedInformation