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Daily news - 7th August 2025 |
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UK news
Health experts warn alcohol measures ‘are not sufficient’ to stop harm
Leading voices from across the public health, medical and treatment sectors have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to call for an urgent and ambitious strategy to address rising alcohol harm, after key policies on alcohol were reportedly removed from the final version of the NHS 10-Year Plan. The 34 signatories – including clinicians, researchers, treatment specialists, medical royal colleges, and charities – warn that alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions are continuing to rise, disproportionately impacting the most deprived communities | AHA UK, UK
Addictions: Health Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of third-sector providers on NHS pressures related to drug and alcohol treatment | They work for you, UK
Addictions: Charities and Pharmacy
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to support partnerships between local pharmacies and drug and alcohol support charities to deliver harm reduction services | They work for you, UK
Simplified summary of the National Benchmarking Report on the implementation of MAT Standards Scotland 2024-25
Over several years, drug-related deaths and drug-related harm in Scotland have increased. Research tells us that providing treatment is a way to lower the risk of harm linked with problematic drug use. The MAT Standards were published in 2021, by the Drug Death Task Force to help reduce drug-related deaths in Scotland | Public Health Scotland, UK
City wins vote to host National Recovery Walk
Each year a different place is selected for the National Recovery Walk which includes a public march and a "village" that hosts activities and performances, Wolverhampton City Council said. The annual event will this year be held at West Park on 13 September and will welcome former addicts, their families and friends | BBC, UK
Date set for launch of Cumbria-wide addiction service
Westmorland and Furness Council has set a date for the creation of its Cumbria-wide addiction service. The council has stated its intention to enter into a joint working agreement with neighbouring Cumberland Council | Times & Star, UK
Patient praises life-changing alcohol liaison service
A patient has praised the Royal Free London drug and alcohol liaison service for giving him his life back after supporting him on his journey to sobriety. The service provides treatment to patients attending hospital who have been drinking or using drugs. Operating out of Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, the team assess referred patients and direct them to their outpatient clinic or local community services based on their needs | NHS Royal Free London, UK
Scrapping patient watchdog 'like marking own work'
Healthwatch acts as the independent patient voice, feeding back experiences, complaints and local needs to NHS trusts and primary care providers, including integrated care boards (ICB). But the government has announced plans to scrap all 153 of the local boards with Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying the NHS needs "more doers and fewer checkers" | BBC, UK
Musicians and addiction: The darker side of pursuing your passion
The constant pressure for perfection experienced by many professional musicians, coupled with the need to network to progress their career, can put musicians at increased risk of alcohol addiction. Anne Templer talks to musicians about their experiences around alcohol dependence and addiction | Classical Music, UK
Pen y Fan Recovery Walk 2025
NEW DATE - Wednesday 24th September 2025. We are delighted to announce that the annual national recovery walk is back for 2025. The event will be taking place on 24th September at Pen Y Fan, within the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park | Barod, UK
Sober Comedy: A new partnership where laughter takes the spotlight
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Sober Comedy, an exciting new partnership between The Forward Trust, Taking Action on Addiction, and Sober IS Fun. Launching in September 2025, this alcohol-free stand-up comedy series brings together some of the UK’s top comedic talent in a supportive, inclusive, and substance-free environment | Forward Trust, UK
Increase in vapes found on Britain’s coastline by beach clean volunteers
Marine Conservation Society calls for swift action as its litter surveys show some forms of plastic are on the rise | Guardian, UK
Three arrests as drugs in socks found near prison
A bag of socks filled with drugs, needles and other items was found in a nearby bush, a force spokesman said, with a drone attached to a fishing line and tied to a sock with drugs also discovered | BBC, UK
GP suspended for withholding drugs convictions
A trainee GP who failed to declare two drugs convictions when applying to work in the UK has been suspended following a disciplinary hearing | BBC, UK
International news
British woman sentenced over Thai drugs smuggling
A 24-year-old British woman has been given a two-year suspended sentence by a court in Germany for trafficking drugs from Thailand | BBC, UK
Update in case of ‘Ketamine Queen’ accused of selling Matthew Perry fatal dose
A woman accused of selling Friends star Matthew Perry the dose of ketamine that killed him will go to trial in September | Independent, UK
Drug and Alcohol Trends Monitoring System (DATMS) 2024: year 9
2023 key findings include: Increase in drug-related harm, hidden harm & low-levels of help seeking / normalisation of drug & alcohol use hampers help seeking / drug use in dublin 15 is a community wide issues crossing all socio-economic boundaries / Evidence of drug use during school hours in all local secondary schools | Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Ireland
European Toolkit for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Prisons (EuroHePP)
This toolkit has been developed to support the implementation and scale up of hepatitis B and C prevention and care in prisons across Europe. It includes a practical, interactive framework to assess your individual service and create a plan to drive forward elimination in your setting | ECDC, Sweden
Harm reduction techniques being phased out under Trump
The Trump administration is escalating its push against what has become a key part of the way states, localities and communities respond to the overdose epidemic: harm reduction | Medical Xpress, USA
Fake Friend: How ChatGPT betrays vulnerable teens by encouraging dangerous behavior
CCDH's new research shows that ChatGPT is betraying young people by generating dangerous advice about self-harm and suicide, eating disorders and substance abuse | CCDH, USA
Nonmedical use of prescription ADHD drugs among teens has dropped
Despite concerns about increased stimulant prescribing, nonmedical use of ADHD drugs among adolescents has declined in the last 20 years, a University of Michigan study shows | Medical Xpress, USA
Addiction Consult Services, Mortality, and Acute Care Utilization in Inpatients With Opioid Use Disorder
In this study, an interprofessional hospital addiction consultation service reduced ED visits but not hospital admissions or mortality among patients with opioid use disorder, highlighting the need for comprehensive care that goes beyond the hospital and addresses the complex health and social needs of people who use opioids | JAMA Network Open, USA
ToxIC Fentalog Study Group - Quarterly NPS Report: Q2 2025
Results were reported from 8 sites across the United States. Geographical differences were observed for opioids, poly-drug use, NPS and xylazine. Fentanyl overwhelming remains the most commonly detected opioid nationally. Numerous NPS were detected, including bromazolam, 5F-ADB, MDMB-4en-PINACA, and more | CFSRE, USA
Most Overdose Prevention Centers Are Urban. The Spot Was Different
In March 2024, lack of government funding led to the closure of The Spot, the only overdose prevention center (OPC) in the Northern Ontario city of Sudbury. The Spot had opened its doors in 2022, in response to a nearly 350-percent increase in overdose deaths—three times the average for the rest of the province | Filter Magazine, USA
NDARC Webinar: Hepatitis C elimination among people who inject drugs: Some successes, but still a long way to go - video
This seminar highlights why it is critical to consider hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among people who inject drugs (PWID). It discusses some of the successful features of HCV elimination efforts in Australia and globally and highlight some countries that have made progress to date. Lastly, it considers some of the remaining challenges to achieve HCV elimination in PWID globally | NDARC, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
The return of alcopops: sales are booming – and the reason is worrying
BuzzBallz are everywhere this summer, Bacardi Breezer has had a rebrand and Smirnoff Ice is trying to win over the gen Z market as rates of alcohol consumption climb ... | Guardian, UK
Why alcohol policies miss those at the highest risk from drinking
People living in the most advantaged areas of Australia tend to drink more alcohol. But people who live in the least advantaged areas suffer the most alcohol-related harms, such as dying from alcohol-related disease or from alcohol-related injuries. This puzzling phenomenon is known as the “alcohol harm paradox” And knowing what’s behind it has real-world implications | Conversation, Australia
And finally...
Talking parrot helps bring down drugs gang
A talking parrot has helped bring down a major drugs operation after a gang member taught the pet how to say phrases used by dealers, like "two for 25" | BBC, UK