ON THE COVER
DDN is an independent publication, entirely funded by advertising.
Publishers:
Partners:
Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals
Supporting organisations:
4
NEWS
Total number of NPS monitored in Europe tops 450, with two
detected every week.
DDN’s round-up of local and national news.
6
COVER STORY
‘Sugar consumption can share features typical of an addiction
pathway.’
Be wary of the dangers of sugar, warns Helen Sandwell.
8
NEWS FOCUS
Why anti-smoking groups are opposing the Welsh Government’s
planned e-cigarette ban.
11
PRACTICE EXCHANGE
Recovery rising across the north.
12
CONFERENCE REPORT
GPs fight to preserve access to shared care at this year’s SMMGP
conference.
14
NEW GUIDELINES
How to improve support for those bereaved through drugs or alcohol.
15
NALOXONE
Looking at barriers to naloxone distribution.
July/August 2015 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 3
editor’s letter
‘Have you thought about
how sugar interacts with
substance misuse?’
Contents
S
ugar has overtaken fat as the scourge of the modern diet and
you can’t turn on the TV without someone measuring your
favourite food against 20 teaspoons of the evil stuff. But have
you ever thought about how sugar interacts with substance
misuse – both as an addictive substance in its own right, and as a
contributor to ongoing ill-health? Nutritionist Helen Sandwell talks
to several practitioners who actively acknowledge the link between
sugar intake and client wellbeing and make the direct link with
outcomes in treatment (page 6). We’re excited to welcome Helen
back as our nutrition columnist – watch out for her healthy eating
advice in future issues.
Meanwhile, there’s a call for effective collaboration running
through this issue. At the RCGP conference (page 12) GPs were
vocal about the challenges they face, particularly those seeing
shared care dismantled around them. Three years ago the
conference discussed wide-ranging changes and a feeling of
moving into the unknown – particularly in England, without the
monitoring and protection of the NTA. For many in shared care
local systems are now unravelling, prompting calls for close and
urgent integration between GPs, primary care, commissioners and
public health to help ‘those that are vulnerable in our midst’.
We also take a look at how we can improve support for another
particularly vulnerable group – those bereaved through substance
use – and hope that new guidelines will provoke much-needed
discussion and support for people battling stigma on top of grief.
Claire Brown, editor
Published by CJ Wellings Ltd,
57 High Street, Ashford,
Kent TN24 8SG
Editor: Claire Brown
t: 01233 638 528
e:
Assistant editor:
Kayleigh Hutchins
t: 01233 633 315
e:
Reporter: David Gilliver
e:
Advertising manager:
Ian Ralph
t: 01233 636 188
e:
Designer: Jez Tucker
e:
Publishing assistant:
Millie Stockwell
e:
Subscriptions:
t: 01233 633 315
e:
Keep in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter!
/DDNMagazine @DDNMagazine
Website:
Website maintained by wiredupwales.com
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
by the Manson Group Ltd
CJ Wellings Ltd does not accept responsi-
bility for the accuracy of statements made
by contributors or advertisers.
The contents of this magazine are the
copyright of CJ Wellings Ltd, but do not
necessarily represent its views, or those
of its partner organisations.
Cover by PHB.cz/Fotolia
Hidden menace, p6
