News - August 2008
Open Door - August 2008 page 3
- Cannabis laws to be tightened
- Carers can't afford to be ill
- New formulation of Rebif
- The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain
- Stem cell research - MS Trust comment
Cannabis laws to be tightened
In May, the Government announced that from 2009 cannabis will be reclassified as a Class B drug. Although it is envisaged that warnings will be issued for first offences, tougher action is expected for further convictions and the maximum penalty for possession will rise to five years in prison.
The decision goes against the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs - a panel of scientists and health experts - which said it had uncovered no new evidence of health dangers beyond the known "probable, but weak, causal" link between cannabis use and psychotic illness.
Whilst the MS Trust does not encourage people to break the law, we are concerned that people will be criminalised whose only interest in the drug is to help manage their symptoms.
Carers can't afford to be ill
Survey results published during Carers' Week in June highlighted the impact caring can have on health, relationships, career and finances and underline the message of the week that carers can't afford to be ill.
More than three-quarters of the 2,000 people questioned felt that their health was worse as a result of the strain of caring and almost one in four said they frequently felt unable to cope with their day-to-day duties due to physical and emotional stress. More than half said they had not had a chance to discuss their concerns about their mental or physical health with someone else (either a friend or health professional).
Three out of five carers who were also in paid employment, said they used part of their annual leave simply to allow them to devote more time to their role as a carer. Of these, one in five said they used more than 10 days of their holiday allocation for this purpose.
New formulation of Rebif
Merck Serono has recently launched a new formulation of their interferon beta 1a (Rebif). If you are taking Rebif, please note that this new formulation has to be kept at 2-8°C at all times. If you have any queries about your medication please inform your health professional.
The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain
The latest addition to the Rough Guide series of travel books provides 100 ideas for accessible days out. Eleven sections range from 'family fun' and 'heritage' to 'outdoor activities' and 'scenic journeys and drives'. The guide costs £6.99 (inc p&p) and is free to Blue Badge holders, who just pay £1.99 for postage and packing.
- To order ring 0800 953 7070
or visit www.accessibleguide.co.uk
Stem cell research - MS Trust comment
The passage of the Embryology Bill through parliament in June focussed attention on the use of hybrid embryos in stem cell research. Whilst the MS Trust recognises the potential that embryo research may have in the future treatment of MS, we are concerned that this is proving a distraction from work currently being done with adult stem cells such as the early work in Bristol looking at the safety of treating people with cells derived from their own bone marrow.
Join the Open Door mailing list to receive your own copy through the post (UK addresses only) or by email.
