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Daily news - 9th July 2025 |
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UK news
One in four doctors say half their caseload is alcohol-related, RCP survey reveals
New survey findings from the Royal College of Physicians reveal the significant toll alcohol dependence continues to have on patient health and recovery amid new calls for urgent government action on alcohol-related harms | RCP, UK
Alcohol sales return to Scottish football matches for 66 fans as trial launched in cup ties
A small number of Ayr United supporters will be allowed to buy alcohol as part of a pilot scheme during two Premier Sports Cup matches later this month, the club has revealed | Scotsman, UK
More 999 alcohol calls in August than at Christmas
Almost 10,000 alcohol-related emergency calls to the London Ambulance Service (LAS) were made last summer, with paramedics urging people to drink sensibly. The service said it received more emergency calls in June, July and August individually, than it did in December during the Christmas party season. And May and June this year have seen greater numbers for alcohol-related calls than in the previous two years, LAS said | BBC, UK
Alcohol and work: Patrick's Story | Alcohol Awareness Week - video
Whether it’s a bonding tool, a reward, Friday night drinks, or a networking event, alcohol is often made to feel like the main attraction, particularly at workplace socials, to the point where many of us are made to feel uncomfortable if we don’t drink – no matter our reason | Alcohol Change UK, UK
Vaping and peer pressure: what you need to know
A recent NHS survey found that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds have tried vaping and that 9% do it frequently. But what's the deal with vaping and your health? And what can you do if you feel under pressure to start vaping? | BBC Bitesize, UK
Dorset: New group helping shape drug and alcohol services
The Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), known as CLARITY, is made up of individuals who have lived or are living through recovery. The group aims to reduce stigma, improve service access and ensure that support services meet the needs of those who use them. The initiative was set up by Intuitive Thinking Skills, commissioned by Dorset Council’s Public Health Team | Bournemouth Echo, UK
Forward’s second media breakfast: the prison crisis – under the spotlight
Generously hosted by the Financial Times, The Forward Trust led our second media breakfast discussion on Thursday 3rd July | Forward Trust, UK
GP suspended for drug-taking can return to work
Nathan Sandles was found acting "drowsy, sleepy and disorientated" while on shift at Church Langley Medical Centre in Harlow, Essex | BBC, UK
International news
New Report Shows US Drug Overdose Deaths Rising Again After Hopeful Decline
For the first time in more than a year, street drug deaths appear to be rising across the U.S. according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The latest available data, compiled in January of this year, shows fatal overdoses over the previous 12-month period increased by roughly 1,400 deaths | KQED, USA
Study finds 9% of young US employees use alcohol, drugs at work
Almost 1 in 10 workers in their 30s uses alcohol, marijuana or hard drugs like cocaine while on the job in the United States, a new study has found. The risk for substance use among young employees was highest in the food preparation/service industry and in safety-sensitive occupations, including construction—a sector linked in previous research with a high risk for drug overdose deaths | Medical Xpress, USA
Preclinical trials show Alzheimer's drug promising for alcohol addiction treatment
A research team from Virginia Commonwealth University has found that a drug currently in clinical trials for brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease might also have potential for treating alcohol misuse—one of America's leading public health concerns | Medical Xpress, USA
A single disorder upended Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program
Enrollment dramatically spiked after officials added anxiety to the list of conditions that could be treated with medical weed, researchers reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine | Medical Xpress, USA
Vaping linked to higher COPD risk, meta-analysis finds
Researchers find that both current and former e-cigarette users face elevated odds of chronic lung disease, raising new questions about the long-term safety of vaping | News Medical, USA
Drug Trends output: Trends in cocaine use, availability, price and purity in Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, 2003-2024
This bulletin draws on multiple data sources to summarise trends in cocaine use, availability, purity and price in Queensland between 2003 and 2024 | NDARC, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Jude Byrne Emerging Female Leader Award
This year’s round of the Jude Byrne Emerging Female Leader Award saw a record-breaking 40 applications from 15 countries, each comprising a written component and video presentation. The finalists were chosen after a deliberation by a panel of highly respected women in leadership including women leaders from INPUD’s global network of activists | INPUD blog, UK
ER docs are too quick to assume cannabis users are experiencing this rare side effect
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is real — but overdiagnosed | STAT opinion, USA
Alcohol sales changed subtly after Canada legalized cannabis
Before Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018, it was unclear how the change might affect beverage alcohol consumption. Would consumers drink less or more after cannabis became legal? | Conversation, Canada
Medicinal cannabis is big business. But the latest clampdown won’t curb unsafe prescribing
Australia’s key regulator of health professionals has announced it’s clamping down on unsafe prescribing of medicinal cannabis in the wake of surging patient demand. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, known as Ahpra, today warned health professionals they would need to put patients’ wellbeing ahead of profits | Conversation, Australia