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Daily news - 26th June 2025 |
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UK news
Supporting the Drug & Alcohol Workforce: Guiding Principles
The Scottish Government has published the Guiding Principles for supporting employees with lived and living experience of problematic substance use. These six principles will support staff and help foster a supportive and inclusive workplace. The Scottish Government wants organisations to utilise and endorse the principles. This will show they support ensuring that people are given the appropriate support and the same opportunities. Organisations can contact: drugsandalcoholworkforce@gov.scot to endorse the ‘Guiding Principles’ or to ask any questions | Scottish Government, UK
New study calls for rethink on alcohol policy
A new study by a team psychologists, linguists and policy experts from University of Staffordshire, University of Liverpool, Oxford Brookes University and London South Bank University reveals stark differences in the way that policymakers and the public talk about alcohol consumption – and argues for a new approach to alcohol interventions and health campaigns | University of Staffordshire, UK
Addiction psychiatrist discusses the 'therapeutic potential' vs 'rising harms' of ketamine - video - see also editorial in blogs section below
Professor Owen Bowden-Jones CBE is an addiction psychiatrist who established the UK’s first club drug clinic offering treatment for emerging drug problems, including novel psychoactive substances and club drugs. In this interview, he speaks to the SSA about two parallel storylines around ketamine: growing excitement about its therapeutic potential, and rising concerns about the harms of illicit use | SSA, UK
Jury told to consider murder accused's drugs use
Jurors in a baby murder trial have been told to find the defendant not guilty of murder if they believe his cannabis consumption meant that he did not intend to kill her | BBC, UK
Prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Prize awarded to University collaboration
Ground-breaking research into the identification of synthetic drugs to advance policing and harm reduction recognised by Society | MMU, UK
Council scraps limit on alcohol licenses despite police and NHS opposition
Edinburgh Council voted to remove its overprovision policy which allowed alcohol licenses to be rejected on the grounds that too many exist in an area | STV News, UK
States panel upholds cannabis farm complaint [Jersey]
A States' panel has upheld a complaint over the way the government handled residents' concerns about noise and smells from a cannabis farm in Jersey | BBC, UK
International news
Support. Don’t Punish - Global Day of Action 2025
26th June 2025. The Support. Don’t Punish campaign is a lifeline for democratic accountability and civic participation. 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.’ | IDPC, UK
How to make America healthy: the real problems — and best fixes
The United States has lower life expectancy than most similarly wealthy nations. Chronic disease is part of the cause, but so are guns, drugs and cars | Nature, UK
Enterprise Minister asks for introduction of warning labels on alcohol to be delayed
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has formally asked Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill to consider pausing the introduction of health warning labels on alcohol. The mandatory warnings are due to come into effect on May 22 next year | Irish Independent, Ireland
HSE data management and performance profile reports January - March 2025
Substance users (under 18 years) for whom treatment has commenced within one week following assessment. Key messages, Q4 2024 - Early treatment helps prevent long-term addiction and related health and social problems. !) The year to date percentage of <18yrs substance users treated within one week following assessment is 98.1%. This is an increase of 4.5% versus the same period last year. 2) This represents 465 people YTD | HSE, Ireland
EU seaports must join forces to tackle maritime drug trafficking and strengthen data reporting, new report finds
EU seaports remain a prime focus for drug trafficking networks, serving as key entry points for illicit drugs into the region. As a result, there is a vital need for closer cooperation and better data sharing among ports to effectively tackle the problem. This is according to a new report released ahead of International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking (26 June). The report, entitled Seaports: monitoring the EU’s floodgates for illicit drugs, is a joint analysis by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Western Europe | EUDA, Portugal
Don’t ignore the people: The WHO and the EU must listen to consumers on tobacco harm reduction
While policymakers and international health officials gather in Dublin to shape the future of tobacco and nicotine regulation, one perspective remains glaringly absent: the voice of consumers | Brussels Times, Belgium
Some disposable vapes may release higher amounts of toxic metals than traditional cigarettes
Brightly colored, inexpensive and disposable electronic cigarettes and vapes continue to gain popularity. These devices turn flavored nicotine-containing liquid into a vapor that people inhale over hundreds or thousands of puffs—commonly called vaping | Medical Xpress, USA
Young adult women in the US report more binge drinking than men
Alcohol use among women has been increasing for years. It is unclear if this trend in increased consumption also includes increases in intensive binge drinking. This study looked at sex-based differences in heavy alcohol use using recent US survey data | Recovery Research Institute, USA
Synthetic opioids and designer benzodiazepines linked to driving impairment
A new study in Frontiers in Toxicology has now shown the urgent need of extending current tests routinely performed after traffic crashes to cover new drugs. It is the first comprehensive survey to measure the contribution of a broad range of so-called 'new psychoactive substances' to US roadway crashes | News Medical, USA
How does a smartphone app help college students drink less?
There are many reasons why young adults have the heaviest and most hazardous alcohol use. In part, it’s because they overestimate how much their peers drink. This study analyzed data from a trial of a smartphone app to see if it worked by correcting such misperceptions about peer drinking and increasing awareness of health risks | Recovery Research Institute, USA
Phase 3 Trial of Psilocybin for Depression Reportedly Shows Great Promise
An ongoing advanced clinical trial of psilocybin as a depression treatment reportedly shows great promise. Caution is required when the data have not yet been published. But if confirmed, this could be a landmark in the psychedelic drug’s journey toward federal approval as a medical treatment in the United States | Filter Magazine, USA
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia annual report
The Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia report presents detailed statistics about Australia’s publicly funded alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services. Information is presented about services provided to people who are seeking assistance for their own drug use and those seeking assistance for someone else’s drug use, including the treatment provided, and the drug of concern | AIHW, Australia
Epidemiology and management of invasive infections in people who inject drugs – the Australian story - Webinar
The rates of invasive infections amongst people who inject drugs are increasing globally. Data from North America and Europe have mainly driven knowledge regarding the epidemiology and management of these infections. This seminar presents findings from Dr Lucy Attwood’s PhD investigating the epidemiology and management of invasive infections in people who inject drugs in Australia | NDARC, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Responding to medicinal and non-medicinal ketamine use
Ketamine is an established anaesthetic and novel treatment for depression. Concurrently, non-pharmaceutical use of ketamine has increased across the world, with harms including accidental injury, psychological dependence and urinary tract damage. This editorial discusses how the harms and benefits of ketamine can be understood by professionals and the public | Addiction editorial, UK
What UK alcohol tax data tells us about drinking trends since the pandemic
There are lots of reasons why alcohol consumption in the UK might have changed since the start of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions dramatically changed many aspects of our lives, including closing pubs and turning almost all socialising into a strictly online activity for months on end | SARG blog, UK
Our response to plans to address NHS inequalities in working-class communities
On Wednesday 25 June the Government has announced a plan to address health inequalities in working class and coastal communities across the UK. Here's our response. Commenting on the announcement, Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, said:... | Alcohol Change UK blog, UK
Some people are turning to nicotine gum and patches to treat long COVID brain fog
Some people with long COVID are turning to an unlikely remedy: nicotine gum and patches. Though typically used to quit smoking, nicotine is now being explored as a possible way to ease symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue | Conversation, UK
M32 Youth Group takes on Capital’s Summertime Ball!
Capital threw their annual Summertime Ball this month, and our M32 Youth Group had the amazing opportunity to go along for the ride! In April 2025 Bristol Drugs Project received 3 years of funding from Sweet Projects. Thanks to this funding we were able to take some of our young people to the Capital Summertime Ball. And what a ball it was | BDP blog, UK