DrugWise Daily |
18th February 2026 |
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Dear Readers, so sorry I sent the wrong newsletter out this morning. Here is the correct newsletter for today. Thank you for your understanding, Jackie.
UK news
Drug-related hospital statistics
This annual release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) reports on inpatient or day case admissions (stays) that occur within NHS Scotland hospitals in relation to controlled drug use (substances for which manufacture, possession and use are regulated by government, due to their potential for abuse or harm). This release includes information on stays in general acute and psychiatric specialties for financial years 1996/97 to 2024/25. The topics covered include: the number of inpatient stays, the number and characteristics of patients admitted to hospital, substances used and geographical variations | Public Health Scotland, UK
AMV BBDO and the Department for Health and Social Care put the Power to Quit in smokers’ hands with new campaign
AMV BBDO and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) have today launched a new national campaign, The Power To Quit Is In Your Hands, to promote the NHS Quit Smoking app and Personal Quit Plan, highlighting that help to quit is never far away | Marketing Communication News, UK
'Supermarket car park health scan saved my life'
A man who had lung cancer after smoking 40 cigarettes a day over 40 years has said he owes his life to a health screening in a supermarket car park | BBC, UK
Ketamine is 'wiping out young people' in Lancashire, vicar says
A vicar who works with young people struggling with ketamine addiction has said it is "wiping out young people" in Lancashire and across the country | ITV, UK
Alcohol-specific Deaths
I rise with deep sadness and concern following publication of the latest NISRA figures on alcohol-specific deaths in the North. In 2024 alone, 397 people died from alcohol-specific causes: that is 397 lives cut short and 397 families devastated and left with an unbearable absence in their homes. Such deaths now account for 2·2% of all deaths registered here... | They work for you, UK
Synthetic Cathinones: Misuse
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of expanding drug testing on arrest powers to synthetic cathinones | They work for you, UK
Men who supplied cocaine wholesale jailed
Two men who supplied cocaine wholesale for local dealers have been jailed after police recovered drugs, an illegal firearm and a zombie knife | BBC, UK
International news
Push to close nicotine loopholes at EU level, WHO chief tells McNeill
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of ‘strong opposition’ from industry over vapes and pouches | Irish Times, Ireland
Why are more young Irish people using nicotine pouches?
Analysis: Health surveys show a steady rise in the use of nicotine pouches and vapes, particularly by people, who did not smoke cigarettes previously | RTe, Ireland
The Unique Challenges of Harm Reduction in Iceland: Interview with Matthildur
Matthildur is a non-profit, volunteer-led organisation in Iceland that provides harm reduction and mental health services for people across the country. Matthildur is one of C-EHRN’s focal points and provides valuable information about the state of harm reduction in Iceland. To learn more about the organisation’s projects and philosophy, we spoke with Svala Jóhannesdóttir, the chairman of the organisation | C-EHRN, The Netherlands
Early puberty may raise teen anxiety risk and alcohol, tobacco, drug use
The body changes, hormones surge, and the transition from child to teenager is well underway. But when puberty begins earlier than among peers, it may have consequences for young people—even when it falls within what medical science considers the normal range. That is one of the key findings of three new studies from the research group of Professor Cecilia Ramlau-Hansen from the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University | Medical Xpress, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Alcohol and other drugs agencies need to contribute to climate adaptation
People with intensive or dependent patterns of substance use may have to contend with poor physical or mental health, low income, insecure housing or homelessness, limited social support, and reliance on under-resourced services. These disadvantages interact to make people more vulnerable to climate risks | IAS blog, UK