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Daily news - 9th October 2025 |
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UK news
Taking stock: Counting the economic costs of alcohol harm
In this report we first use newly available data to dig deeper into the effects of alcohol harm on the UK workforce. We argue that alcohol has clear negative impacts on workforce productivity as a whole. Addressing alcohol harm should therefore be a core part of the UK’s industrial strategy | IPPR, UK
Drug Alert: Medetomidine Found in Heroin Samples (Essex and surrounding counties)
Essex Police have reported the presence of Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, in heroin seized in June 2025. While this particular sample was not linked to an overdose death, Medetomidine has previously been identified in other drug-related deaths in the county, including a case in March 2025 where it was found alongside Nitazine and Xylazine | Forward Trust, UK
Press release - Crackdown on rogue traders selling vapes to children
The government has published a call for evidence to seek expert views on introducing new rules for retailers selling tobacco, vapes and nicotine products | DHSC, UK
Open call for evidence - Tobacco and vapes: evidence to support legislation
This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 3 December 2025. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently being considered by Parliament. The bill will help us achieve our ambition for a smoke-free UK and protect future generations from the harms of nicotine. We are developing policy in a number of areas where there is good evidence. However, there are some topics that we need further evidence on, and this call for evidence will help inform policy development on potential future regulations | DHSC, UK
Young people think vaping is 'socially acceptable' as concerns grow over rising popularity
A survey of more than 4,300 islanders across Guernsey, Jersey, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man by Island Global Research found that younger people aged 18 to 39 were more likely to believe vaping outside in public was a socially acceptable behaviour | ITV, UK
Shops to require licence to sell vapes under proposed crackdown on rogue traders
A licensing system would ‘root out’ rogue operators and give enforcement officers stronger powers to shut them down, the Government said | Independent, UK
Convenience store trade body issues strong advice on nicotine pouches
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has issued advice to retailers on the sale of nicotine pouches | Talking Retail, UK
Scotland’s first fully virtual drug and alcohol support service launches in the Highlands
Highland Anywhere, the first fully remote drug and alcohol service in the UK, has launched (8 October). Highland Anywhere offers free confidential support to anyone aged 16 and over in Highland affected by drugs or alcohol - whether that’s them personally, or a loved one. The innovative service allows people to connect in whatever way works best for them: by phone, video call or text. Highland Anywhere’s team is available Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm, with appointments arranged flexible to meet individual needs | With You, UK
Woman gave 'balloons' drug warning days before death
Amy Leonard, 20, from Bolton, posted a video of herself on Facebook in the back of an ambulance on 29 September, describing how her use of balloons had led to her hospitalisation | BBC, UK
Guidance: County Lines Programme
In response to the threat of county lines, the Home Office established the County Lines Programme. This guidance explores the programme and its impact since July 2024. Updated to include data from April to June 2025. Added West Yorkshire to the list of areas with a county lines taskforce | Home Office, UK
Summer £1bn cocaine seizures 'record breaking'
In June, July and August, 15.6 tonnes of the class A drug was seized - more than half the total seized in the whole of 2024 | BBC, UK
Anti-smoking drive sees illegal cigarettes seized
Operation Stop, a Public Health England-funded project delivered in collaboration with Trading Standards and Northamptonshire Police, has targeted underage sales of tobacco and vapes through test purchases and enforcement action | BBC, UK
International news
The effect of fruit smoothie supplementation on psychological distress and biomarkers among people with opioid dependence receiving opioid agonist therapy: a randomized controlled trial
[Open access] Norwegian methadone and buprenorphine clinics tried to mitigate the poor diet of many of their patients by allocating some at random to daily fruit smoothies additional to usual care. Compared to usual care alone it made no significant difference to physical or psychological health, perhaps partly because roughly just half the drinks were consumed | BMC Public Health, UK
Turkish celebrities questioned in drugs investigation
During the probe by the Narcotics Crimes Bureau, 19 people - including actresses Berrak Tuzunatac and Demet Evgar, and singer Hadise Acikgoz - were summoned for questioning and blood sample collection | BBC, UK
Senate Republicans vote against check on Trump using deadly force against cartels
First vote in Congress on military campaign that White House says has hit four vessels and killed at least 21 people | Guardian, UK
Ministers for Health announce €27.4bn health budget for 2026
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, and the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD have today announced €27.4 billion in funding for health in 2026 | Department of Health, Ireland
Gardaí seize €8.2m worth of cocaine and heroin in raids across five counties
As part of an ongoing operation aimed at dismantling a "well-structured criminal organisation involved in large-scale drug distribution", gardaí say they executed search warrants at 16 properties across South Dublin, West Dublin, Meath, Westmeath, Laois, and Offaly over the past two days | Irish Examiner, Ireland
Germany restricts online cannabis sales amid import boom
Germany's cabinet passed plans on Wednesday to restrict the online sale of cannabis to tackle a surge in imports of the drug since the legalisation of its recreational use last year, the government said | Reuters, USA
Clinical Considerations for Engagement and Retention of Nonabstinent Patients in Care
“Despite low rates of treatment participation, patients are regularly dissuaded from initiating treatment until they are willing and able to commit to abstinence.” That recognition sets the scene for this summary of clinical guidance from the American Society for Addiction Medicine on working with patients not aiming for abstinence, a controversial topic with a long history | Journal of Addiction Medicine, USA
More people with psychosis are using cannabis. Medical professionals are worried
Marijuana use by people with psychosis is 10% higher in states where the drug has been legalized | STAT News, USA
Rise in young women ending up in hospital from GHB overdose: study
GHB-related emergency department (ED) presentations and hospitalisations in NSW increased substantially in the last decade, with young women accounting for a larger proportion of toxicity and overdose cases over time, according to new research in Addiction | NDARC, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
LGA responds to government proposals for new tobacco and vape sales licenses
Responding to the latest announcement from the Government on plans to introduce licenses for retailers on the sale of tobacco, vapes and nicotine products, Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “Councils have long supported the introduction of a comprehensive licensing regime for all tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes... | LGA, UK
Safeguarding rights in EU drug policy - Contribution to the European Commission's call for evidence on the EU drugs strategy and action plan against drug trafficking
The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), a global network of over 190 civil society and community organisations, welcomes the European Commission’s call for evidence on the new EU Drug Strategy. IDPC calls on the European Commission to deliver a drug strategy that reflects the EU’s core values of human rights, social justice, and public health. This includes broadening the strategy beyond supply reduction, protecting civil society, prioritising harm reduction, supporting national innovation, and continuing to lead by example on the international stage | IDPC, UK
Why people are watching livestreams of influencers gambling – and how it could be fuelling addiction
Every night, millions of people across the world tune in to watch influencers spin slot machines, chase jackpots and ride emotional rollercoasters of wins and losses. Online viewers erupt with cheers, emojis and pleas for “one more spin”. But behind the flashy graphics and charismatic streamers, lies a complex web of psychological triggers, parasocial relationships where fans feel like friends with creators who don’t know they exist, and normalised risk-taking | Conversation, UK
How vaping primes the lungs for COVID-19 damage
As colder months set in, respiratory infections begin to climb: everything from the common cold and flu to COVID-19. It’s a time when healthy lungs matter more than ever. Yet the very tissue that lets oxygen pass from air to blood is remarkably delicate, and habits such as vaping can weaken it just when protection is most needed | Conversation, Ireland
Restricting mobile health vans in Philadelphia will lead to more overdose deaths
Philadelphia's city government can address legitimate quality-of-life concerns in Kensington without constraining lifesaving services | Reason commentary, USA