DrugWise Daily |
3rd November 2026 |
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UK news
DDN Magazine November 2026
A perspective from Ireland gives us fresh insight into diverting people away from the criminal justice system (page 6). What are the practicalities of implementing a health-led approach? How many ‘chances’ do we give people to engage with health services? How quickly can we join up people with screening and interventions? | DDN, UK
Forward Trust CEO to Take Part in London CEO Sleepout Following Personal Experience of Homelessness
The Forward Trust's Chief Executive, Mike Trace, will join this year's London CEO Sleepout this November, drawing on his own experience of homelessness to help raise awareness and funds for people facing some of society's toughest challenges | The Forward Trust, UK
Heart harm claims from study of just 17 vapers challenged by experts
Experts have challenged claims about vaping’s harm to the heart after a study involving just 17 vapers raised concerns about blood vessel function and fitness. Four researchers responding through the Science Media Centre questioned how far the findings could be taken, warning that the study could neither establish that vaping caused damage nor show it was as harmful as smoking | Clearing the air, UK
Bid to ban vapes from Scotland's jails clears hurdle as 'dangers outweigh prisoner backlash threat'
The Prison Officers Association Scotland had demanded the removal of “dangerous” vapes from the estate, saying the risk they pose has reached critical levels | Daily Record, UK
'A proud moment' - How The Alcohol and Drug Service is striving to 'professionalise' the recovery sector
A recovery worker supporting people affected by alcohol and drug use in East Yorkshire has gained her social work degree apprenticeship, supported through The Alcohol and Drug Service. Kate Harvey was the first student to complete the three-year programme at the University of Hull while balancing a full-time job, academic study and two work placements | Hull Live, UK
Is it true that … drinking alcohol warms you up?
A hot toddy might make you feel toasty, but drinking in cold conditions can be risky | Guardian, UK
Gang jailed over prison drug smuggling racket
Members of a gang who smuggled drugs into prison hidden inside hot dog tins, mouthwash and packets of washing powder have been jailed. South Yorkshire Police said the group used "any items" they could to smuggle ketamine, cannabis and spice into prisons across the UK | BBC, UK
International news
Drug use disorders among people convicted of drug supply crimes with Julie Brummer - podcast
In this episode, Dr Elle Wadsworth talks to Dr Julie Brummer, an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research at Aarhus University in Denmark. The interview covers Julie’s article on drug use disorders among people convicted of large-, moderate- and small-scale drug supply crimes in Denmark | SSA, UK
Predicting high-risk novel benzodiazepines: A surveillance study of novel benzodiazepine detections and a case series of bromazolam exposures in New South Wales, Australia
[Open access] The incidence of novel benzodiazepine detections in New South Wales, Australia, increased between January 2019 and December 2024. Bromazolam is a current concern due to increasing detections and severe clinical outcomes; however, polysubstance use likely contributed to clinical outcomes. Bromonordiazepam may be an emerging concern | Addiction, UK
Dutch police offer record €2m reward in hunt for drug lord
Dutch authorities have offered a record award of €2m (£1.7m/$2.24m) for information leading to the arrest of Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe's most-wanted men | BBC, UK
EUDA webinar: Trauma-informed care - Building safer, more inclusive services through understanding, dialogue and practice
4 Nov 2026. Online. This webinar will introduce the concept of trauma-informed care and explore how it can be applied in practice to improve access to services, reduce stigma, improve collaboration between service providers and service users, and create more compassionate and responsive systems. The session will bring together perspectives from research, dialogue-based approaches, and practical project experience | EUDA, Portugal
Study provides reassuring news for women using medications to treat opioid use disorder during pregnancy
Pregnant patients receiving medication to treat opioid use disorder should not reduce their medication dose out of fear that it will worsen withdrawal symptoms in their newborns, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) | Medical Xpress, USA
Energy drinks, stimulant products linked to cardiac arrest, heart attack in young adults
Caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements appeared disproportionately more often in FDA reports of serious cardiovascular events, including cardiac arrest and heart attacks, especially among adults ages 18 to 34, according to new, independent, preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, held Nov. 6–9 in Chicago | Medical Xpress, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
30 Years, 30 Decisions – Shootaz
Shot-based products have featured in several memorable moments over the 30 years of the Code of Practice. The term ‘shot’ can be taken to imply a small measure of drink rather than a particular style of consumption, but terms like ‘shooter’ or ‘slammer’ undoubtedly carry more risk of suggesting a rapid or ‘down in one’ approach | Portman Group, UK
‘I perfected deception’: My secret life as a relapsed alcoholic
Everyone knew about my years of addiction, the dangers I had put myself in. The second time around, after 11 years sober, not even my husband knew | Guardian, UK
And finally...
Man caught in car with £14k of drugs as a lamb ate chips in the back seat avoids jail
A man who was caught in a car with £14,000 of drugs, while a lamb ate from a bag of chips in the back seat, has avoided jail | BBC, UK