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Daily news - 22nd April 2025

UK news

Call for 'health' powers to limit alcohol licences

Council chiefs say they want more powers to control the numbers of shops and bars licensed to sell alcohol in a bid to tackle health "challenges" | BBC, UK

Health warnings as high strength illicit nicotine pouches flood the UK

The education secretary has issued a health warning after ITV News uncovered a huge rise in illicit nicotine pouches flooding the UK | ITV, UK

Police warn drug users of 'potential bad batch'

Northamptonshire Police said users in the Wellingborough area had displayed "signs of drug-induced psychosis", with two men being taken to hospital | BBC, UK

'Drug use at building site shows need for legal drug consumption room'

A derelict building site that is being used by drug users to inject cocaine and heroin has prompted fresh calls for a drug consumption room in Belfast | BBC, UK

Naloxone dosing by non-medical first-responders at opioid overdoses: findings from a qualitative interview study

Though all the interviewees in this British study had been trained in administering naloxone, actually doing it was often an exercise in managing uncertainty in a situation demanding multiple decisions be made rapidly and complex contextual factors taken into account. More advanced training was recommended | Harm Reduction Journal, UK

‘My son killed himself after ketamine ruined his life – how many lives will this drug destroy?’

Barney Casserly took his life aged 21 as he struggled with a ketamine addiction which left him using the toilet 20 times a night due to irreversible bladder damage | Independent, UK

The Vivienne hid ketamine struggle 'to protect family'

The sister of James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne, says her family only learned of the drag performer's battle with ketamine addiction after watching Drag Race UK | BBC, UK

New Adfam & CGL service in Coventry

Adfam is thrilled to announce its new service for families affected by substance use living in Coventry, delivered in partnership with Change, Grow, Live. New Adfam & CGL service in CoventryThe service, officially launched on 9 April, provides remote 1:1 support for people living in Coventry that are affected by a loved one’s substance use | DDN, UK

Stepping Into the Frame: Becoming the Creative Director of the Recovery Street Film Festival

I’m beyond excited (and, if I’m honest, a little bit in awe)  that I’m stepping into the role of new Creative Director of the Recovery Street Film Festival, with Sobriety Films. It’s a role that feels deeply personal, incredibly meaningful, and one I’m truly honoured to hold | Phoenix Futures, UK

'Change resistant drinkers'? The blue light approach with Mark Holmes & Mike Ward - podcast

In this episode we talk to Mark Holmes and Mike Ward about the Blue Light approach, which aims to challenge the belief that nothing can be done with drinkers who may be deemed as 'not wanting to change'. | Alcohol Problem podcast, UK

Scotcast Take 2: drug supervision room - audio

Anne Marie Ward from Faces and Voices of Recovery UK has dedicated her life to advocating for those recovering from addiction. She tells us why we need to think differently about our drugs deaths crisis. And gives her take on drug consumption rooms, which we talked about in the very first episode of Scotcast | BBC Sounds, UK

Football legend Tony Adams helps addicts kick drug dependancy in Margate - video

Members at Forward Trust say having 'Mr Arsenal' as the new Chair, will help settle their score with addiction | Kent Online, UK

We’re in Bath and North East Somerset

We’re excited to announce that BDP will now be joining Turning Point in delivering drug and alcohol services in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES). Turning Point will be leading the treatment system, but BDP will manage 5 workers based in BANES that will be delivering part of the service; 4 Engagement Workers and 1 Young Adult Worker (18-25). This is a great opportunity for us to bring our passion for harm reduction and engaging young people to BANES | BDP, UK

In-demand substance misuse service looks to expand

A recovery programme that works with about 1,000 people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction has seen an increase in demand but still wants "to get bigger," its director said | BBC, UK

Patient Satisfaction and Resource Utilization Following Introduction of Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB) in Scottish Prisons

[Open access] Prisoners already being prescribed methadone or sublingual buprenorphine in three Scottish prisons were transferred to long-acting, monthly injections of the medication. Most greatly preferred the new regimen and it saved health service time | Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, UK

Patient's vulnerability 'not adequately considered' prior to hospital discharge

A health board did not “adequately consider” the vulnerability of a patient with addiction issues who died shortly after being discharged from hospital | ITV, UK

Free vape kits boost smoking quits in Calderdale

A new report has revealed that the number of people giving up smoking increased from 64% to 75% after the kits were offered during a trial funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and delivered by Yorkshire Smokefree Calderdale | Yorkshire Post, UK

‘Era of criminal enterprise’ feared ahead of UK disposable vapes ban

The UK’s disposable vapes ban is set to come into effect on June 1 with the aim of curbing youth vaping. However, shocking new figures reveal the Labour government is woefully unprepared to properly enforce the ban. Critics say its lack of manpower and financial resources risk the market for vapes being handed over to dangerous criminal gangs | Clearing the air, UK

Nightlife: Safety, Security & Policing

Wednesday, May 21 · 9am - 4pm GMT+1.The University of Liverpool Criminal Justice Unit and the N8 Policing Research Partnership are holding a nightlife event for stakeholders – from police, PCCs, public health, the event industry, the security industry and academia – to discuss current issues facing nightlife, including safety, security, alcohol and other drugs, violence, spiking and sexual harassment | N8 Policing Research Partnership, UK

Pubs to stay open late for VE Day 80th anniversary

Pubs in England and Wales will be able to stay open until 01:00 BST to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the government has confirmed | BBC, UK

 

International news

Prevalence, trends and outcomes from smoking in elective surgical systems: a secondary analysis of a prospective observational cohort study across 442 hospitals from 29 countries across Europe

[Open access] Smoking remains a significant public health issue in Europe, with elective surgery offering a key opportunity for intervention. Knowledge gaps exist around its prevalence and the optimal timing for preoperative cessation to improve outcomes, despite current guidelines recommend smoking cessation up to six weeks prior to surgery. This study aims to address this gap in a large observational prospective cohort study of patients undergoing abdominal surgery across Europe | Lancet, UK

Walgreens to pay up to $350 million in U.S. opioid settlement

Walgreens has agreed to pay up to $350 million in a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, who accused the pharmacy of illegally filling millions of prescriptions in the last decade for opioids and other controlled substances | Mail Online, UK

More people aged 65+ are trying out cannabis. Here’s what to know about the risks and benefits

Polls suggest Americans aged 65 and older are trying cannabis for the first time more than any other group in the country. This trend is propelled by decreased stigma and increased legalization, with 24 states and the District of Columbia allowing recreational use (in the UK, recreational use is still illegal) | Guardian, UK

Californians can now buy opioid reversal drugs from the state online

Californians can now buy opioid reversal drugs directly from the state under a program aimed at making the life-saving medication less expensive and more accessible, officials said Monday | Mail Online, UK

‘Kush destroys them’: the Guinean rehab clinic tackling a drug epidemic

Experts say a crisis is under way in Guinea, fuelled by a growing market run by cross-border trafficking syndicates | Guardian, UK

Adolescent substance use in Africa with Sandra Jumbe and Chris Newby - podcast

In this episode, Dr Elle Wadsworth speaks to Dr Sandra Jumbe from the School of Social and Health Sciences at Millenium University in Malawi and the Wolfson Institute of Public Health Queen Mary, and Dr Chris Newby from the Medical School at the University of Nottingham. Sandra and Chris discuss their findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis on factors associated with adolescent substance use in Africa between 2000 and 2020 | Addiction, UK

Support. Don’t Punish - Global Day of Action 2025

For over a decade, we have organised a powerful and decentralised movement that centres communities challenging punitive drug policies and advocating for harm reduction. On 26 June 2025, we invite you to join us once more in collective action to build sustainable alternatives to the ‘war on drugs.’ Deadline for applications: 27 April 2025 | IDPC, UK

DUP blocking Stormont minimum alcohol pricing policy, say senior executive sources

The party that once railed against the consumption of the ‘devil’s buttermilk’ is resisting the health minister’s efforts to curb the sale of cheap drink | Irish Times, Ireland

Tusi (a mixture of ketamine and other drugs) is on the rise among NYC nightclub attendees

“Tusi”, also known as “tucibí” or “pink cocaine”, is a drug concoction that emerged in Latin America and Europe within the past decade and is becoming increasingly popular in the USA.  A new study published in the scientific journal Addiction estimates that in 2024, 2.7% of electronic dance music-nightclub attending adults in New York City (NYC) used Tusi in the past year, with higher use among Hispanic people and people who use other drugs | EurekAlert, USA

Legalizing Youth-Friendly Cannabis Edibles and Extracts and Adolescent Cannabis Use

Except for Quebec, in 2019 Canadian provinces legalised supply of edible cannabis products, possibly offering a way for children to use in secret and in a palatable form that avoids smoking. Among secondary school pupils, surveys found a three to four per cent increase in cannabis use in those provinces relative to Quebec | JAMA Network Open, USA

Texas considers ban on cannabis products 6 years after legalization in the state -audio

Texas lawmakers are considering outlawing cannabis products 6 years after they became legal and led to a multibillion-dollar market. Lawmakers say sales have led to abuses and health problems | npr, USA

Why CDC cuts are being called ‘the greatest gift to tobacco industry in the last half-century’

The Office on Smoking and Health at the CDC is no more, putting state quitlines and national data on youth tobacco use at risk | STAT News, USA

Opioid control policies linked to drop in domestic violence

A new study led by the University of South Florida reveals opioid control policies may offer broader public health benefits, including reducing instances of domestic violence. As policymakers continue to grapple with the opioid epidemic, this study highlights the power of research to inform effective public policy | News Medical, USA

Psilocybin use rises across all age groups following 2019 decriminalization

A multisource observational study aimed to quantify the change in prevalence and health care utilization of psilocybin users between 2014 and 2023. The study found that the prevalence of psilocybin use increased across all age groups, with those with mental or physical comorbidities among the most common users | Medical Xpress, USA

Are ‘The Munchies’ Real? Cannabis, Science, Food & Flavor, Explained

Yes, it’s more than a meme. The “munchies” effect—those sudden, often intense cravings for salty, sweet, or high-fat snacks after cannabis use—isn’t just anecdotal. It’s biological | Forbes, USA

Young women now binge drink more than young men

Young women ages 18 to 25 in the United States are now binge drinking more than their male peers, a reversal of prior trends, according to a new research letter published Wednesday | abc.net.au, Australia

Experts warn of increased alcohol harms over the Easter long weekend

Heavy alcohol consumption is usually associated with the summer months, not with Easter. But new analysis of Victorian ambulance data shows that there are regularly more than 500 alcohol-related attendances over the Easter long weekend | Monash University, Australia

 

Blogs, comment and opinion

The true harm of stigma: media language and its impact on female perpetrators of non-violent crime - Guest blog from Francesca Barker-Mills

Who hasn't picked up the local paper or scrolled through social media to see the latest mug shot of Brenda who's been caught shoplifting from Tesco again? And I'm sure much like the many "Brendas" I see in my local rag or on my Facebook feed; she's one of many women up and down the country being publicly shamed for a misdeed too many | AntiStigma Network blog, UK