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Daily news - 8th September 2025 |
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UK news
Scottish Government invests in drug support services
The Scottish Government has announced over £2 million in funding to support women affected by substance use and prevent drug misuse among young people. The investment was revealed by Minister for Drugs Policy Maree Todd during a statement to the Scottish Parliament, following the latest National Records of Scotland statistics showing a 13% decrease in drug-related deaths, down to 1,017 in the past year | PSE, UK
Collective Voice to hold webinar to share challenges and promising practice in supporting people who use ketamine
One of the reasons Collective Voice exists is to improve practice – by sharing promising practice and building connections across the addictions field and beyond. That’s why we’re working with a range of organisations, including the NHS Addictions Provider Alliance and the English Substance Use Commissioners Group, to establish a network of people looking to improve identification, access and support for people who use ketamine. Our first step in creating this network is to host a webinar on Tuesday 14 October 2025, 2pm-3.30pm | Collective Voice, UK
A Systematic Review of Substance Misuse Treatment Processes and Outcomes as Implemented in Prisons for Men in the UK
Four key themes emerged from research on substance use treatment in men’s prisons since the turn of the millennium: “the power of purposeful activity, strengthening support systems, bridging patient needs with treatment plans and, for those in opiate programmes, experiences and engagement with opioid substitution treatments” | CBMH, UK
Scotland faces growing nitazene threat as it grapples with drugs deaths crisis
Scotland is fighting to lose the unwanted title of Europe's drug deaths capital. But a new threat from synthetic opioids is making it harder to save lives | Big Issue, UK
I ordered drug-laced vapes on Snapchat. It was as easy as picking up pizza
It is a sunny spring afternoon in Warwickshire and I'm parked up in a nondescript hatchback with my cameraman, poised to meet a drug dealer. He has agreed to sell what he claims to be THC vape liquids - an illegal substance which is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis - to a reporter he believes to be a schoolgirl | BBC, UK
'I pretty much accepted ketamine would kill me'
At the height of his ketamine addiction, Tom Kirk felt that there was no way out and "pretty much accepted" the drug would kill him. Tom, from Scunthorpe, was introduced to "ket" at a festival when he was 19. By the age of 25, he was so weak he was unable to walk | BBC, UK
British music icon, 76, reveals alcohol addiction for first time after years of ‘shame’
In a new interview, she speaks about her drinking and the fears she had of tarnishing her ‘squeaky clean’ public image by admitting to it, having previously revealed her father’s own alcoholism | Metro, UK
Opioids
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to integrate synthetic opioid awareness into local authorities’ Drug Strategies since 5 July 2025; and how much of the 2025/26 targeted drug, alcohol treatment and recovery grant funding for local authorities in England, announced on 31 March 2025 he has allocated to public education on the (a) risks of synthetic opioids and (b) how to respond when witnessing an opioid overdose | They work for you, UK
Drugs: Misuse
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase funding for (a) addiction services and (b) wider support for people who use addictive drugs | They work for you, UK
Smoking: Health Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to implement automatic enrolment into stop smoking support at (a) A&E departments, (b) cancer screening appointments, (c) mental health services and (d) other NHS services (i) in Liverpool City Region and (ii) nationally | They work for you, UK
UK Recovery Walk 2025
The UK Recovery Walk 2025 will take place on Saturday, 13th September 2025, Hosted in the vibrant city of Wolverhampton, this year’s walk promises to be a powerful celebration of recovery, resilience, and hope. Together, we will gather to demonstrate the strength and unity of the recovery community, raise awareness, and advocate for improved support and services for those affected by addiction | FAVOR, UK
Boxing coach jailed for cocaine supply conspiracy
A world champion boxing trainer and manager has been jailed for 10 years for his part in a conspiracy to supply cocaine. Andrew Bulcroft, known as Stefy Bull, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court earlier after being found guilty following a trial in February | BBC, UK
International news
Increasing drug seizures as NI used in smuggling route, police say
International drugs cartels are increasingly using Northern Ireland to smuggle drugs into the UK and mainland Europe, a senior police officer has confirmed | BBC, UK
Huge drugs bust reveals battles on cocaine 'superhighway'
The text message came from Dubai with a Santa emoji. "OK lads. No need for luck. Really this couldn't be any more straightforward. Just relax and this will all be over soon." | BBC, UK
What can Scotland learn from Ireland on alcohol marketing restrictions? - video
We recently spoke to Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, about Ireland's experience of restrictions on alcohol marketing and learning for Scotland | Alcohol Focus Scotland, UK
Dutch doctors file complaint against Snapchat over illegal vape sales
Dutch doctors have filed a formal complaint against Snap – the parent company of messaging app Snapchat – accusing it of failing to prevent the sale of illegal vapes to teenagers in the Netherlands | Clearing the air, UK
Substance Abuse Among Healthcare Students: The Interplay of Stress, Knowledge, and Awareness
If healthcare students know the risks of substance abuse, why do some still fall into it? | Drug Science, UK
Cannabis campaigner to prime minister - Thailand's new leader wins decisive vote
US college graduate Anutin Charnvirakul, championed legalising cannabis, was the Thai health minister during the COVID pandemic, and flies emergency organs cross-country | Sky News, UK
‘The first day is the hardest’ – Man celebrates 33 years free of drugs and alcohol at addiction recovery ceremony
The ceremony honoured individuals who completed their addiction treatment at the Rutland Centre | Irish Independent, Ireland
Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades
Watch this new video series on how the opioid overdose crisis and Canada’s toxic drug supply impact people in the trades and construction sectors | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Massachusetts AG Certifies Ballot Measures to Recriminalize Adult-Use Marijuana Sales
The attorney general of Massachusetts has certified and prepared summaries for dozens of proposed 2026 ballot initiatives—including a pair that would roll back adult-use marijuana legalization in the state | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Letter in response to Times article on illicit tobacco
We were concerned to see a Times article promoting tobacco industry narratives (“Packs of choice at shops addicted to selling illegal cigarettes”, Sep 01). The article prominently features Will O’Reilly but fails to mention he is employed as a consultant by tobacco giant, Philip Morris. The tobacco industry has long used illicit trade concerns to undermine public health policy | ASH letter, UK
An animal sedative keeps turning up in opioid deaths – what you need to know about medetomidine
A dangerous new drug adulterant is spreading through America’s illicit opioid supply, and it’s making overdoses significantly harder to reverse. Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative normally used to sedate pets, is increasingly being mixed with heroin and fentanyl, creating a cocktail that experts warn could be far deadlier than previous street drug combinations | Conversation, UK
The Guardian view on the ‘war on drugs’: Donald Trump is turning a failed metaphor into a more dangerous reality
The strike on a speedboat allegedly containing Venezuelan drug traffickers may be performative, but sets a frightening precedent | Guardian opinion, UK
We Need to Double Down on Harm Reduction, Not Walk Away From It
We have come too far to turn our backs on what works when it comes to sound, life-saving drug policies. Now is the wrong time to politicize practical, proven responses to this medical emergency | Common Dreams, USA