DrugWise Daily |
7th August 2026 |
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UK news
‘It can make you psychotic or give you a cardiac arrest’: why are so many children vaping the ‘prison drug’ spice?
Parents and teachers worry about the number of kids who vape cannabis. But many of them are using something far more dangerous – without even realising it | Guardian, UK
Official Statistics - Stop smoking service data explorer
Updated with the latest data. This data explorer presents latest published analysis on stop smoking service data, alongside indicators relating to the prevalence of smoking | OHID, UK
People experiencing homelessness and their experiences with substance use services for alcohol treatment in England: Journey mapping based on semi-structured interviews
[Open access] Alcohol consumption at high levels is common among people experiencing homelessness and contributes to inequalities. In relative terms these individuals are underrepresented in substance use services. This study captured common trajectories and identified barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment among a group of people currently experiencing homelessness and who have used or have been eligible for alcohol treatment | Addiction, UK
Magic mushrooms can ease depression resistant to other treatments, major study finds
A major new study has found that just a single dose of magic mushrooms could significantly ease depression. Results found the psychedelic could help with symptoms that is resistant to other treatments. Symptoms went into remission in four in 10 patients taking part in the first publicly-funded trial of the therapy. One person described the treatment as “very emotional” at times, but said it helped them to understand their depression more | Independent, UK
Daily smoking falls by a third as six in 10 UK vapers are former smokers
Daily smoking in the UK has fallen by almost a third since 2020, while six in 10 people who currently vape are former smokers, new figures from Action on Smoking and Health suggest | Clearing the air, UK
Meet the 63-year-old former IT professional who found his purpose in recovery support
After a 30-year career working in IT for an American software company, Ken found himself at a crossroads. At 63, he took a leap of faith by volunteering with WithYou in Cornwall. A decision that would transform his life and the lives of people around him | WithYou, UK
Parker's positive test for cocaine caused by nutritionist
Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker's nutritionist was the reason traces of cocaine were found in a UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) test on the day of his defeat to Fabio Wardley, according to an investigation conducted by Ukad | BBC, UK
Man in court after cocaine worth £2m seized on A14
A man charged with drug offences after police seized cocaine worth more than £2m has appeared in court | BBC, UK
'Slurring' teacher who smelled of alcohol banned
Tina Digby, 47, was handed the prohibition order from a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel over her time at Colnbrook Church of England Primary School in Slough | BBC, UK
International news
The European drug index: Measuring and comparing national substance use across the European Union to aid policy and planning
[Open access] There is currently a lack of tools to holistically assess substance use and related problems across the EU. We present an index that measures substance use and related problems for every EU member state in the general population, and by age, sex, and substance class, relative to the highest and lowest performers in class | IJDP, UK
Woman with advanced Alzheimer’s ‘regains speech and mobility after magic mushrooms’
The woman in her 80s began recalling memories from her own life after she received psilocybin-containing mushrooms | Independent, UK
‘I have an ego that needs to be put in check’: ex-Gawker editor AJ Daulerio on life after addiction
After his fall from grace, media’s former enfant terrible is now sober and helping others with his addiction recovery newsletter and podcast, The Small Bow | Guardian, UK
European Web Survey on Drugs 2024: Irish Results
The most commonly used drug in the last year was cannabis (85.4%), followed by cocaine (46.0%), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (36.0%), magic mushrooms (30.6%). semi-synthetic cannabinoids (SSCs) (29.2%) and ketamine (24.8%). For most drugs, the proportion of males and females reporting last-year use were similar; however, males were much more likely than females to use magic mushrooms, SSCs, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Those aged 18–24 years were more likely than older age groups to report last-year use of SSCs, ketamine, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and nitrous oxide | HRB, Ireland
Coroner warns 'no safe level' of cocaine use after chef's sudden death
A coroner has warned that there is no safe level for consuming cocaine following the death from the drug of a hospital chef, described as "hard working" and "football crazy" by his family | RTe, Ireland
Drugnet 95
Drugnet Ireland is the Health Research Board’s quarterly drug and alcohol research and policy newsletter. It provides summaries and analysis of recent publications and policy developments and well as overviews of particular issues relating to the drug and alcohol situation Ireland. Experts from the EUDA national focal point and from the HRB Evidence Centre contribute content to the newsletter | HRB, Ireland
Rise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports find
Latest annual reporting by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney shows more than 2,000 deaths in 2024 – about 5.5 deaths per day – from drug overdoses. Nearly 57,000 drug-related hospitalisations – or 156 per day – were also recorded in 2023-24, marking a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year | NDARC, Australia
NDARC researcher awarded $1.64 million to bolster drug monitoring systems and better detect ‘hidden harms’
Australia’s drug monitoring systems will be strengthened to better detect and respond to emerging drug-related harms through a $1.64 million grant awarded to Dr Rachel Sutherland at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney | NDARC, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
“Their drugs all tested as expected.”
The NY Times published an article about the Shambhala music festival’s approach to harm reduction | Recovery Review blog, USA