DrugWise Daily |
18th May 2026 |
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UK news
Drug-Related and Drug Misuse Deaths 2014-2024 [Northern Ireland]
There were 251 drug-related deaths registered in 2024, 219 (87.3 per cent) of which fell within the definition of drug misuse. Like previous years, males accounted for more than two-thirds of drug-related deaths in 2024. The 35-44 age group had the highest age-specific drug-related and drug misuse mortality rates. Opioids was the most mentioned drug group. Benzodiazepines (which include drugs such as temazepam and diazepam) were the next most common group. Pregabalin was the specific drug mentioned most often, appearing on the death certificates of 101 (40.2%) of drug related deaths | NISRA, UK
'It's the risk we take'- the heroin users chancing death every day as contaminated drugs hit Merseyside
Special report: As batches of highly potent and hugely dangerous synthetic opiates circulate in the region, those trapped in addiction on the streets are staring death in the face each time they use | Liverpool Echo, UK
Extend smoking and vaping ban to all children's playgrounds, says LGA
The Local Government Association (LGA) is asking the Government to extend proposed smoking and vaping bans to cover all children's playgrounds to protect children from harmful tobacco and vape exposure | LGA, UK
Vaping in pubs: What operators need to know
After the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent last month, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has examined the current legislation around vaping in pubs | Morning Advertiser, UK
Alcohol Research 2026 conference - deadline extended
The deadline for submissions to the Alcohol Research 2026 conference has been extended to June 5th. The conference will take place at the University of Stirling on October 6th - 7th | NDSAG, UK
Free service helps hundreds of people quit smoking and improve health in Milton Keynes
One year ago, Milton Keynes City Council launched a new, easier way for people who live or work in the area to access free, personalised support to quit smoking and achieve a healthy weight. The launch came in partnership with Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils | MK Citizen, UK
Fire and ‘sheer volume’: how Britain’s 6m-vape problem is putting recycling under strain
Despite the ban on disposables, waste professionals say the mountain of discarded devices is a £1bn-a-year issue | Guardian, UK
Drugs traffickers jailed over airport conspiracies
Albanians Elton Hallaci, 32, (right) and Artur Iseberi, 27, were part of one crime group collecting the Class A drug from Manchester Airport while British nationals Dale Hosker, 49, and Dale Creen, 35, were from another crime group doing the same thing | NCA, UK
International news
How personality shapes the risk of problematic alcohol use with Igor Marchetti - podcast
In this episode, Dr Tsen Vei Lim talks to Igor Marchetti, an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Florence, Italy. The interview covers Igor’s research article that tests which personality traits are necessary conditions for problematic alcohol use, with insights from a 23-year longitudinal study | SSA, UK
Boy, 15, shot dead in France as prosecutors blame drug war
French prosecutors say a 15-year-old boy has been killed and a boy of 13 seriously injured in a suspected drugs-related shooting in the western city of Nantes | BBC, UK
13 men killed by US military boat strikes identified: ‘These were flesh-and-blood people’
All victims of US strikes in eastern Pacific and the Caribbean identified so far came from extremely poor communities | Guardian, UK
Big tobacco is exploiting fears of the illicit market to unwind health gains, experts warn
Cigarettes kill 66 Australians every day, health groups say, criticising MPs who heard evidence from Philip Morris in secret | Guardian, UK
Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the global growth of nicotine pouches
The report reviews evidence on how major transnational tobacco companies expand markets, often co-branding nicotine pouches with cigarette brands and advertising them across social media and digital platforms | WHO, Switzerland [See also expert reaction to this report in blogs section below]
Are people who use methamphetamine at increased risk of physical violence? Results from a nationally representative sample
The association between methamphetamine use and violent behaviour has received much attention in the research. The risk of violent victimisation among people who use methamphetamine is comparatively underexplored. People who use methamphetamine appear to be at a high risk of violent victimisation, but no studies have examined this association in a population-based representative survey. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between methamphetamine use and violent victimisation using a nationally representative sample of Australians | Addiction, UK
Psychedelic Research & Access in Ukraine
How could evidence-based psychedelic therapies help address war-related mental health challenges in Ukraine, particularly PTSD among veterans? This was the main question of the European Parliament event held on 6 May, which Drugreporter captured on video in its entirety | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Shortage of opium syrup threatens addiction treatment in Iran
Severe shortages of opium syrup are disrupting addiction treatment across Iran, Shargh daily reported on Sunday, raising fears that thousands of recovering drug users could return to narcotics use as clinics struggle to secure supplies of a key maintenance medication | Iran International, Iran
Alcoholic beverage warning labels may encourage reduced drinking, researchers find
A new US study finds that new alcoholic beverage labels carrying warnings about the risk of specific disease risks, including cancer and liver disease, could more effectively motivate consumers to drink less than current warnings | Nutrition Insight, USA
Stronger regulation needed to address injectable peptide craze
Tougher regulation on peptide supplies is needed as illegal use skyrockets among young Australians, University of Queensland researchers say. Dr. Timothy Piatkowski, of UQ's School of Public Health, said the country's regulatory and health systems are failing to keep up with a surge in illegal peptide use in young people—a wellness craze fueled by social media | Medical Xpress, USA
“Striking Increase” in Public Support for Legal Access to Psychedelics
There’s been a “striking increase” in support for legal and regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics as well as expanded research exploring their medical potential—with a new poll finding that voters have been “warming up” to the alternative treatment option over the last two years | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Huge variation in NHS stop smoking funding leaves high need areas underresourced - rapid response
Dear Editor, We read with interest the BMJ article (1) by Iacobucci, discussing the new ASH analysis of Integrated Care Board (ICB) spending on tobacco dependence treatment services in England. (2) The ASH report provides an important snapshot of variation in ICB investment in tobacco dependence treatment services in England. South East London (SEL) is identified as having the highest spend per smoker in England | BMJ, UK
Expert reaction to the WHO report on nicotine pouches
Scientists comment on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) report on nicotine pouches | Science Media Centre, UK
Garance review – Adèle Exarchopoulos gives it her all in ripe but flimsy portrait of alcohol addiction
Performer is as good as ever but her actor character is thinly conceived in a fundamentally implausible depiction of how to grapple with alcoholism | Guardian, UK