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Daily news - 28th January 2025 |
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UK news
How do MPs’ views on drugs policy compare to the British public’s?
MPs have not voted on legalising cannabis since 2018, when proposals were voted down in a sparsely populated House of Commons, but a new YouGov survey offers insight into how a future vote might go. The results show that 50% of MPs are opposed to cannabis legalisation when asked in a support/oppose format, compared to 39% who would be in support | YouGov, UK
Welsh NHS Confederation response to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The Welsh NHS Confederation welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Health and Social Care Committee’s scrutiny of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill | NHS Confederation, UK
It's supposed to curb vaping... but could cause a boom in 'dangerous' black market sales
There are ambitious plans to create the first 'smoke free generation' - but there are fears it could lead to a surge in buying counterfeit items | Manchester Evening News, UK
Charity sees rise in people seeking help about alcohol and drug use
A charity providing help for "problematic substance use" in Guernsey has seen annual increase in community referrals, it says | BBC, UK
‘People are still doing it, but nobody talks about it’: queer collective Duckie break the chemsex taboo
The legendary nightlife group known for their groundbreaking nights at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London are back – and restarting the conversation about the controversial subject | Guardian, UK
Street Drug Discussions - ADHD and substance use - video
Join us in this webinar for a discussion where we'll explore: The science of ADHD; Diagnosis, prognosis, and risk factors; ADHD and substance use disorders; First hand experiences | Drug Science, UK
What are Parliament's bars really like?
The closure of Strangers' bar, in the House of Commons, while an alleged spiking incident is investigated has thrown the spotlight on Westminster's drinking culture and what goes on in its many watering holes | BBC, UK
Let’s Explore Dry January
Dry January has soared in popularity since its introduction in 2013, as many people find January the perfect time to reflect on their drinking and cut out alcohol for a month. But is cutting alcohol out completely the most important aspect of this movement? We’ll explore the benefits of taking a month off alcohol and how staying ‘damp’ this January can help you feel more in control of your drinking year-round | BDP, UK
Bin lorry fire prompts disposable vapes warning
People are being reminded not to throw disposable vapes into household bins following the latest fire in a dustcart | BBC, UK
International news
Is methamphetamine blood concentration in emergency department patients associated with the clinical picture?
[Open access] This study aimed to describe clinical features and outcomes of patients presenting to the emergency department with analytically confirmed methamphetamine intoxication, to determine the blood concentration of methamphetamine and to test its association with clinical findings | Addiction, UK
Belgian footballer Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking sting
The 36-year-old was one of several suspects apprehended by Belgian police on Monday morning, after a series of raids were carried out across the country | BBC, UK
Should the Government move to label alcohol as a cancer-causing substance?
Implementing a labelling regime could help make people aware of the potential cancer risks of alcohol consumption | Irish Times, Ireland
Three inmates overdose on synthetic drug in Cork Prison
While tests have yet to confirm the exact substance involved, it is understood the men’s symptoms bore all the hallmarks of having consumed spice | Irish Examiner, Ireland
Undercover investigation reveals scale of Ireland's illicit vape market
Over 80% of the shops visited by The Journal Investigates sold the team a disposable vape that breached regulations | Journal, Ireland
Global cannabis boom brings unexpected cardiovascular risks to light
Against the global backdrop of escalating cannabis use, a recent review published in Nature Reviews Cardiology reviews current knowledge on the effects of cannabis consumption on the human cardiovascular system | News Medical, USA
Analysis tackles the question of how many attempts it takes to quit different substances
Relapse is common when someone is trying to quit, regardless of whether they're giving up opioids or alcohol or cigarettes. To better inform treatment, researchers with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC's Addiction Recovery Research Center wanted to better understand how the experience of quitting differed across substances | Medical Xpress, USA
Combining self-help groups and medication boosts success in opioid treatment, research finds
Using artificial intelligence to narrow the data down to a manageable size, researchers found that when medication is combined with attendance at a support group, patients are over 25% more likely to finish opioid addiction treatment | Medical Xpress, USA
Methamphetamine-related psychiatric hospitalizations on the rise
There has been recent rapid increase in methamphetamine use, which increases risk for substance-induced psychiatric symptoms such as acute psychosis, depression and anxiety, and suicidal ideation. This study characterized trends in US methamphetamine-involved psychiatric hospitalizations between 2015 and 2019 and associations with sociodemographic characteristics | Recovery Research Institute, USA
Access to recovery residences limited for those taking buprenorphine: Results from South Florida
Evidence suggests that, despite federal policy to the contrary, those seeking care at recovery residences may have constrained access if taking buprenorphine – the most commonly prescribed medication for opioid use disorder. The present study investigated buprenorphine-related policies of recovery residences in South Florida, an area with a high density of treatment and recovery supports | Recovery Research Institute, USA
Patients with anorexia have elevated opioid neurotransmitter activity in the brain
A study showed that changes in the functioning of opioid neurotransmitters in the brain may underlie anorexia | Science Daily, USA
How ‘Sour Raspberry Gummy Bear’ — and Other Chinese Vapes — Made Fools of American Lawmakers
Everyone seems to agree candy-flavored vapes are bad for kids. So why can’t lawmakers find a way to block their sale? | Politico, USA
Vaping in pregnancy is harmful for babies and mothers: study
In a recently published paper in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the researchers reviewed evidence from studies around the world and concluded that using e-cigarettes during pregnancy is associated with harmful outcomes for both mothers and their babies | University of Alberta, Canada
HRA 2024 National AOD Data Report
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the key national data sources on alcohol & other drugs (AOD) and harm reduction in 2024 | HRA, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Why Trump’s tariffs can’t solve America’s fentanyl crisis
Americans consume more illicit drugs per capita than anyone else in the world; about 6% of the U.S. population uses them regularly. One such drug, fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine – is the leading reason U.S. overdose deaths have surged in recent years. While the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths has dipped a bit recently, it’s still vastly higher than it was just five years ago | Conversation, USA