SAMARITANS' VALUES: An estimated 86,000 people contacted the Samaritans helpline in 2005.
Of these callers, 21 per cent expressed suicidal thoughts. The values behind the Samaritans service will be explained by Joe Ferns, deputy director of support services, in a talk tomorrow at 8pm in the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Foster Place, Dublin. This talk is the second in a series, entitled From Fragility to Resilience, organised by the Samaritans in response to the recently published National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention. See www.dublinsamaritans.ie/february
MORE SCREENING: Stricter screening services need to be introduced to pick up misuse of drugs and drink among people with intellectual disabilities, according to researchers from the University of Ulster. Early identification and co-operation between healthcare professionals, teachers, employers and staff in residential and day care centres is the best way forward, say researchers Laurence Taggart and Derek McLaughlin.
CHICKEN RISK: Almost half of samples taken from raw chicken in retail outlets have tested positive for bacterium campylobacter, a high risk factor for gastroenteritis in humans. A high percentage of food poisoning by campylobacter has been linked to the handling and eating of contaminated meat, particularly poultry, according to a study led by Dr Paul Whyte at UCD. Minimum handling and cooking poultry thoroughly is the best prevention. Not washing poultry before cooking also reduces the spread of bacteria.
(Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson)