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Day: September 10, 2016

Improving GHB withdrawal through the Club Drug Clinic

Posted on by Gary Hart

Researchers are investigating whether the withdrawal symptoms from the club drugs GHB and GBL can be reduced and outcomes improved by adding the drug Baclofen to the more conventional Benzodiazepine treatment.

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In this new ground-breaking study, the team, led by Prof Anne Lingford-Hughes, Consultant Psychiatrist at Central & North West London NHS Foundation (CNWL) and Professor of Addiction Biology at Imperial College London, is looking to see whether adding Baclofen can improve outcomes while detoxing from GHB usage.

GHB and GBL are both highly addictive and present a significant overdose risk to users. Withdrawing from usage can be life-threatening without medication.

There is some evidence that Baclofen, which is more commonly used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, including spasm, pain, and stiffness, might help.

The team, who are based at both CNWL’s Club Drug Clinic and St Thomas’ Hospital, are now looking to test the theory by recruiting nearly 90 patients for a 12-month feasibility study.

Dr Owen Bowden-Jones
Dr Owen Bowden-Jones

CNWL Consultant Psychiatrist and founder of the Club Drug Clinic, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, who is a co-investigator, said: “GHB and GBL are potentially dangerous drugs causing overdose, dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms. We hope that the use of Baclofen will make the withdrawal process less unpleasant and also improve long-term abstinence from the drugs.”

CNWL and its Club Drug Clinic are partnering with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College, London, the University of York and Antidote – the London-based LGB&T drug and alcohol support service.

To take part users must be aged over 18, be dependent on GBH/GBL or trying to withdraw from usage, be under the care of a drug treatment service and have a clear aftercare plan.

For details on how to take part email: ghbtrial.cnwl@nhs.net  

Or telephone the Club Drug Clinic on 020 3315 5800

Or click here:

 

Greens praise work of local suicide prevention group

Posted on by Graham Robson

Green councillors attend event marking Suicide Awareness Day today, helping local charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention raise awareness of suicide in the city.

Basic CMYKThe event, being held at the Synergy Centre, West Street has been part-funded by Public Health at Brighton & Hove City Council, as well as by community members who raised money for Grassroots and have funded a safeTALK (Suicide Alertness For Everyone) course.

Greens have praised the “invaluable” work of Grassroots Suicide Prevention, suicide prevention campaigners and other groups in seeking to tackle suicide rates and offer people support during crisis.

Cllr Dick Page
Cllr Dick Page

Green Councillor and spokesperson for Health & Wellbeing, Dick Page, says: “Brighton & Hove has had a higher rate of deaths by suicide than the national average for more than a century, and is ranked 136 of 144 local authorities for suicide rates.  It is essential that the Council, CCG and community groups like Grassroots work together to address this critical local issue, and I’m pleased to have this opportunity to support this vital work.

“At a time of increasing pressure on Council budgets, cuts to critical frontline services can have a devastating impact on vulnerable people.  While we as Councillors have a duty to ensure support is maintained to keep people safe from self-harm, abuse and neglect, we are increasingly reliant on the groundbreaking and practical work of Grassroots.

“As individuals we all must share responsibility for recognising and responding to our fellow residents who may be in need of help.  A friendly word or show of support is free, yet can sometimes make all the difference to people going through a difficult time”.

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Today is Suicide Prevention Day

Posted on by Gary Hart

Grassroots Suicide Prevention will mark World Suicide Prevention Day in Brighton & Hove on Saturday, September 10 with a day of activities at the Synergy Centre on West Street, Brighton.

Basic CMYKThe theme for World Suicide Prevention Day this year is Connect, Communicate and Care. All planned activities as part of this event will be centred around these three key themes.

9.30am – 1.00 pm:  Grassroots will be offering 30 free places on safeTALK (Suicide Alertness For Everyone) to members of the community, thanks to donations from members of the public who have fundraised for Grassroots via their JustGiving page.

To book your ticket for this training, click here:

1.30pm – 2.00 pm: Resource Marketplace: the Grassroots stand will be taking pledge signatures and sharing suicide prevention resources with the public.  Other local services will be represented too, including  Rethink’s Survivors of Suicide, MindOut and Samaritans.

2:00pm – 4.00pm: Main event

The main event will include:

♦         the presentation of new research findings from Grassroots’ award-winning Stay Alive suicide prevention app.

♦        guest speakers including:

♦         Queer Pakistani trans activist Sabah Choudrey (watch his TEDX talk here)

♦        Sangeeta Mahajan (the latter by video; read her blog here)

♦        Josh Quiglley, the Tartan Explorer (also by video)

♦         A two-minute’s silence, memorial tree and candles to remember those we have lost to suicide and those who are survivors

♦         Celebrate suicide prevention activities in Brighton & Hove and surrounding areas

♦        Learn about the Five Ways to Wellbeing in the context of the event themes

♦        Plus, a special announcement!

The afternoon event is free.

To book your free ticket, click here:

Grassroots Suicide Prevention received funding from Public Health Brighton & Hove City Council to stage this event.

Brighton Kemptown MP wears pink for Breast Cancer Now

Posted on by Sarah Green

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, dressed in Pink yesterday in Parliament to show support for women affected by breast cancer.

Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

He is encouraging his constituents to do the same and take part in Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s biggest and pinkest fundraiser which will take place on Friday, October 21.

wear it pink returns for its 15th year, calling on supporters across the country to add a flash of pink to their wardrobe for the day and raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving breast cancer research.

Mr Kirby joined fellow parliamentarians in wearing it pink in Westminster this week to encourage people across the UK to get involved and help Breast Cancer Now towards their ambition that, by 2050, everyone that develops the disease will live.

wear it pink raises close to £2 million each year for world-class research into breast cancer, and this year it’s going to be pinker and more fun than ever before. Anyone can take part, whether at work, at home or at school. All you have to do is wear something pink and donate what you can.

When you join the hundreds of thousands of people who take part in wear it pink, you become part of a collective force of scientists, supporters and people affected by breast cancer, passionate about putting an end to deaths from the disease.

 Mr Kirby said: “50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK, and sadly around 11,500 women and 80 men will lose their lives to the disease. Together, we must put a stop to this.”

“Through cutting-edge research, Breast Cancer Now are tackling the disease from all angles to ensure that, by 2050, everyone that develops the disease will live. But we all need to join forces and act now, and in wear it pink there is a fun and simple way for everyone to get involved.”

“I’m fully committed to standing up for the women and families affected by the disease in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven and I am very proud to take part in wear it pink. I hope everyone in the local community will join me by wearing it pink on Friday 21 October and show their support for Breast Cancer Now.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan
Baroness Delyth Morgan

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now said: “It’s wonderful to see so much parliamentary support for wear it pink. It’s a great opportunity for friends, co-workers and families across the UK to have some fun, wear something pink and show their support for those affected by breast cancer.”

“Far too many women are still losing their lives to this dreadful disease. On Friday 21st October, every cake baked, every feather boa or pink tie worn and every laugh shared will help us create a future where no one dies from breast cancer.”

“We will all be standing together, with colleagues and friends, to stop breast cancer taking the lives of the people we love – and we very much hope you’ll join us.”

To support Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving research and sign up to wear it pink on Friday October 21, click here:

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