Experts in topics including pharmacology, pharmacy, and health economics have been recruited to help deliver the ACMD’s ongoing work.

The ACMD is an independent body which makes recommendations to government on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs, including classification and scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its regulations.

The new appointees being announced today are:

• Mohammed Fessal, chief pharmacist for Change, Grow, Live, and a pharmacist special advisor at the Care Quality Commission
• Professor Graeme Henderson, professor of pharmacology at the University of Bristol and trustee of the Bristol Drugs Project
• Professor Roger Knaggs, associate professor in Clinical Pharmacy practice at the University of Nottingham
• Dr Carole Hunter, lead pharmacist at the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Professor Matthew Sutton, professor of Health Economics at the University of Manchester.
• Professor David Taylor, director of pharmacy and pathology at the Maudsley Hospital, and professor of psychopharmacology at Kings College London.

The Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, said:

I am delighted to welcome the new members to the ACMD. Their depth of expertise will ensure the Council provides the best advice on the harms of drug misuse and I look forward to working with each of them.

The 3 year appointments, which were approved by Home Secretary Sajid Javid and attract no remuneration, have been made in accordance with the code of practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). The newly-appointed members take up their posts today.

Published 16 January 2019

Six new members of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) have been announced today.

New measures are being introduced today (16 January) to protect the country against the tree pest known as the larger eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus), which was discovered in Kent in December 2018.

Legislation is being laid in Parliament that will restrict the movement of all susceptible material, including trees and wood with bark, within 50km of the outbreak sites where Ips typographus was found.

This legislation is a necessary precaution to prevent the spread of the pest further afield and will remain in place until further notice, but will be kept under review.

The exact boundaries of the restricted area and details of the materials under restriction are available on the Forestry Commission website.

Industry are also urged to remain vigilant for signs of the pest and to report any suspicions to the Forestry Commission.

Nicola Spence, the UK Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) poses no threat to human health, but it can be a serious pest to the spruce tree species and the forestry industry.

That is why we are taking robust action through this new legislation and its restriction of movement for spruce trees in a 50km area around the outbreak.

I encourage anyone who suspects a sighting of the bark beetle to report these to the Forestry Commission online through Tree Alert.

Further detail on how to report suspected cases is available here

New measures brought in after larger eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) was found in Kent

Pupils from Gosforth Primary School were given the chance to hone their presentation skills in front of an audience at LLW Repository Ltd (LLWR) ahead of their appearance in a major science and technology challenge.

LLWR are in the middle of a five-year sponsorship of the First Lego League, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) initiative, and Gosforth are one of three local schools supported by the organisation.

Youngsters were keen to rehearse their presentation before delivering it for real in front of a panel of judges later this month in the regional final.

The theme of this year’s challenge is ‘Into Orbit’ with pupils asked to consider a problem that astronauts may face in space.

Gosforth came up with loneliness as a key issue and youngsters have devised a robot dog companion as a solution.

Marc Goodwin, one of the LLWR volunteers assisting the nine to 11 year olds at Gosforth, said: “They got some constructive feedback from the LLWR audience and took away some good ideas that they may be able to incorporate into their presentation in the regional final.

“In addition, they really enjoyed the experience, which was great to see. Thanks go to LLWR for making it possible.”

Marc is one of four volunteers assisting Gosforth and additional colleagues are giving their time to work with pupils at Seascale Primary and St James’ Primary, in Millom, who will also compete in the regional final at Energus, Lillyhall.