Taking party drug ecstasy may help boozers break their addiction to alcohol. Scientists are set to carry out the first ever trial to see whether the controlled substance can help treat heavy drinkers. A group of patients from England will be given two doses of MDMA -- another name for ecstasy -- over the course of two months. The trial has just received approval from regulators in the United Kingdom. It is the first in the world to use ecstasy to treat alcohol addiction. [continues 379 words]
The number of adults being treated for cannabis use has risen by 50 per cent since Labour downgraded the drug to Class C. The Government's decision to reclassify the drug has seen the number of adults seeking medical help for its effects rise to more than 16,500 in the past year. Cannabis misuse also accounts for 75 per cent of under-18s who require treatment for drug use, with 9,200 children needing medical aid for its use. A total of 25,944 people sought cannabis treatment at hospitals and clinics last year - almost 500 adults and children a week. [continues 407 words]
