Drinking alcohol causes a pleasant feeling because it releases endorphins, the brain’s natural opioids. But a new study has found that problem drinkers differ from social drinkers in the way alcohol affects one part of the brain. The report appeared Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine. Researchers performed PET imaging on 13 heavy drinkers and 12 social drinkers after each had had a standardized amount of alcohol. The scientists traced the release of endorphins in two regions of the brain — the nucleus accumbens and the orbitofrontal cortex.
Via www.nytimes.com

Several cruise lines have further limited smoking on ships, leaving a few designated areas as the last refuge to light up at sea.Princess Cruises’ guests won’t be allowed to smoke in staterooms or on balconies starting with sailings on Monday. Three other lines recently tightened their smoking rules or will join Princess in doing so next week. “Our consumer studies now show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers, and that the large majority of passengers value having their primary living space onboard smoke-free,” Executive Vice President Jan Swartz said in a statement.In 2010, only 19.3 percent of Americans, or 45.3 million adults, smoked cigarettes, down from 20.9 percent in 2005, according to federal health regulators.The new smoking policy also reflects a worldwide effort to restrict areas where smoking is allowed, the Santa Clarita, Calif.-based cruise operator said.
Via www.sun-sentinel.com

CANNABIS is kidstakes when it comes to the overall health damage drugs do according to Wayne Hall, a substance abuse specialist at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research.Professor Hall’s new paper on the global pattern of drug consumption written with Louisa Degenhardt from the Burnet Institute, attracted media attention during the week for its finding that cannabis is the world’s most widely used illicit drug. On the basis of UN figures they argue between 125 and 203 million people across the planet used cannabis in 2009. This compared to a maximum of 21 million injecting drug users.The reason for its popularity, they argue in the new edition of The Lancet, is the drug is easily produced.But the good news is while the drug is a real problem among heavy-using adolescents overall it does a tiny fraction of the health damage heroin does. “Cannabis is at the bottom of the list of drugs causing disease, behind tobacco, alcohol and opiods,” they write.
Via www.theaustralian.com.au

This app, developed as part of the Federal Government’s National Drugs Campaign, aims to provide immediate access to information on illicit drugs and services for youth and parents. There is a list of commonly used illicit drugs, such as ecstasy, marijuana, ice, speed and heroin, covering information about what the drug is, signs and symptoms of use, consequences, physical effects and problems.
Via www.australiandoctor.com.au

The government has given its go-ahead to a national policy framework to control and regulate narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to stop the menace of trafficking and allow private sector to produce poppy straw concentrate.The Union Cabinet approved the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances on Thursday.”This would enable India to retain its status of a traditional supplier of opiate raw material to the rest of world, while remaining competitive,” an official statement said.The government will use satellite imageries for detection and destruction of illicit poppy and cannabis crops. It emphasises on developing alternative means of livelihood for growers in traditional illicit cultivation areas.”The policy attempts to curb the menace of drug abuse and contains provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and social re-integration of victims of drug abuse,” an official release said after the Cabinet meeting.
Via economictimes.indiatimes.com

The United States has appealed a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the Tobacco Act’s ban on flavored cigarettes is discriminatory and violates international trade agreements because it exempts menthol, thereby treating like products differently in a way that favors domestic cigarettes.According to an article at Law360, the U.S. appeals brief argued that the WTO erred in deeming that menthol and clove cigarettes are “like products.” The brief also argued that the WTO erred in concluding that the Tobacco Act treats imported cigarettes less favorably than domestic cigarettes.
Via tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com

Politicians have called for a complete overhaul of drinking guidelines, in a new report from the House of Commons science and technology committee.Before any changes in alcohol policy come into place, the public should stay away from drink for two days a week, the report says.”Sensible” drinking limits, of up to four units a day for men and three for women, should not be increased, MPs add.The advice is not aimed at people who drink to get drunk, but those who have a drink in the evenings after work, but the frequency of their drinking is pushing them over current safe levels.
Via news.stv.tv

Maryland’s Comptroller sent a scathing letter to the Worcester County Department of Liquor Control, telling them in the clearest of terms that an alcohol shipment bought from Alabama was illegal because the proper licenses had not been secured.”In the spirit of clear and forthright communication, allow me to put the Worcester County Department of Liquor Control on notice,” wrote Comptroller Peter Franchot in a two-page letter addressed to DLC head Robert L. Cowger, Jr. “This is a serious and costly violation of State law. Rest assured that any further issues arising from this purchase, or any other illegal activity, will result in vigorous enforcement actions by my Office.”
Via www.delmarvanow.com