News

In brief

Two of the UK’s leading drug information and policy organisations, the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence and the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse have merged to form DrugScope. Roger Howard, formerly chief executive of SCODA, has been appointed the first chief executive of DrugScope.

Tel: 020 79281211; email services@drugscope.org.uk, www.drugscope.org.uk

Share prices for the US biotech firm Celera rocketed by 19 per cent on the New York stock exchange when the company announced it had reproduced all the genetic fragments needed to map human DNA. Unlike the UK-US Human Genome Project, Celera is keeping its findings secret for commercial reasons.

A massive 88 per cent of respondents thought there was a link between their physical and mental health and vice-versa, according to a survey of 550 people with mental health problems by mental health charity MIND. Specific times of the year also had a negative affect with 76 per cent saying that January was the most ‘miserable’ month. Listening to music was the single most therapeutic activity, according to 39 per cent.

Details: www.mind.org.uk

A survey by national charity QUIT has found that 40 per cent of smokers continue to smoke even though their partners hate it; a quarter would rather give up their partner or job than kick the habit.

Robert West, professor of psychology at St George’s Hospital Medical School said: ‘Nicotine should be recognised as a powerfully addictive drug and this addiction is more than just a social problem — it is a medical disease.’

Experienced disability rights lobbyist Bert Massie has been appointed chair of the new Disability Rights Commission (DRC), an independent public body funded by the government. The main brief of the DRC is to enforce the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

The DRC helpline number is: 0345 622633.

Luis Appleby, professor of psychiatry at the University of Manchester, has been appointed national director of mental health for the NHS in England. Implementation of the national service framework for mental health began in April and sets seven national standards for mental health services. Other government appointments include Professor Mike Richards as national director for cancer and Dr Roger Boyle as national director for coronary heart disease.