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Daily news - 10th April 2026 |
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UK news
Warning dangerous vape incident is 'not isolated'
A child falling ill from what is believed to be a dangerous vape was "not an isolated incident", according to an MP. An 11-year-old boy was hospitalised after using a vape in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset on Tuesday. The vape's contents are being tested by police. The town's MP Dan Aldridge said he was "deeply concerned" by the news, and was calling on the government to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future | BBC, UK
What Are the Characteristics of Households That Purchase Alcohol-Free and Low-Alcohol Drinks in Great Britain in 2018 and 2021?
[Open access] The increasing popularity of alcohol-free and low-alcohol (NoLo) drinks could reduce alcohol-related harm if those at greatest risk replace their standard alcoholic drinks with these products. This paper aimed to identify: (i) characteristics associated with occasional purchase of NoLo drinks in Great Britain in 2021; and (ii) whether these characteristics changed between 2018 and 2021 | Addiction, UK
Putting people first: A new, collaborative model for detox in London
Detox services can play a life-changing role in someone’s drug or alcohol treatment journey. Change Grow Live's new partnership approach to inpatient detoxification in the capital ensures people can explore the full range of treatment options and make informed decisions about their next steps | Change Grow Live, UK
Draft London Strategic Licensing Policy 2026–31
The GLA is currently working on a new Strategic Licensing pilot for London and we are hoping to make contact with voluntary and community sector organisations who have expertise to share that is relevant to the development of aspects of the pilot | Mayor of London, UK
'Watching my mum die from lung disease made me quit smoking'
"Having to sit there and watch her die was what made me realise I wasn't going to do that to my own kids." | BBC, UK
Cannabis – what do educators need to know?
Monday, Apr 20 from 11 am to 1 pm GMT+1. Online. This session on cannabis will cover the latest developments in the cannabis market, including changes in THC concentration, popular methods of consumption, well-established risks and more recently emerging concerns. It will also explore some of the reasons why people might take cannabis and some key considerations to be made when reducing its potential harms, and there will be opportunities to ask questions | DEF, UK
CGL are looking for a new trustee
Thank you for your interest in becoming a trustee at Change Grow Live. It’s an exciting time to join us, as we continue to deliver against our five-year strategy to help more people sooner, making the most of our scale, community connections and partnerships to tackle stigma, break down barriers and get people the support they need when they need it | Change Grow Live, UK
Bursaries
The SSA is offering funding for postgraduate study and professional development in the field of addiction. Apply for a research leadership bursary or treatment workforce bursary for courses starting Autumn 2026 | SSA, UK
'Transition needed' over NHS trust smoking ban
University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust became smoke-free on 1 April, with smoking not permitted anywhere at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Stafford County Hospital. But chief executive Dr Simon Constable told a board meeting he acknowledged people were still smoking on hospital grounds, and the trust would monitor it in the coming weeks and adjust the organisation's approach accordingly | BBC, UK
Boxing coach to repay thousands from drug dealing
A world champion boxing trainer and manager who was jailed for his part in a conspiracy to supply cocaine has been ordered to repay £82,000 | BBC, UK
Drink-drive ban for alcohol-free bar's general manager
The general manager of an alcohol-free bar has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel while more than four times the legal limit | BBC, UK
International news
A marijuana breathalyzer is one step closer to coming to market
Researchers set out to develop a THC breathalyzer that could deliver results within minut | Independent, UK
Alcohol and road safety (PDF)
Alcohol is a critical factor in road safety with alcohol involved in a third of driver deaths in Ireland. 1in 8 drivers admit to drink driving in the past year - that’s around 380,000 people. Meanwhile Ireland has the lowest level of roadside breath testing in the EU, with only 5,007 drink drivers caught in 2024 | Alcohol Action Ireland, Ireland
EUDA and Ecuadorian partners step up cooperation with new 2026–2028 work programme
The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility have agreed a new joint work programme for 2026–2028, reinforcing their cooperation in addressing drug-related challenges at European and international level | EUDA, Portugal
Why America is falling out of love with cocaine
Since last year, the United States’ attempts to stem the flow of cocaine through the southern border have taken new turns, in what is the sixth decade of its war on drugs. | SAN, USA
Reported 2025 drug overdose 'spike' was an illusion, new study finds
In June 2025, several mainstream media outlets reported a surge in U.S. drug overdose deaths in early 2025 that was based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Medical Xpress, USA
Cognitive performance and subjective effects the morning after last use of smoked cannabis by adults who use cannabis frequently: An observational study
[Open access] Adults reporting frequent cannabis use were tested 12–15 h after smoking cannabis at home. There was no evidence of cognitive impairment relative to a matched control group. Subjective drug effect measures were elevated relative to the control group. Higher THC levels were associated with worse cognitive performance | DADR, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Stigma Survives in Silence - And Breaks When We Speak
So, I had a drink and drug problem when I was younger. Said problem led me into many challenging situations, some of which could have been life-threatening. These experiences led me to the crushing realisation that I had two options: I could either continue drinking and using drugs and either die or end up in prison, or I could try to get sober | AntiStigma Network, UK
Magic mushrooms: new African species sheds light on the history of the famous fungus
Magic mushrooms” are consumed recreationally and for medicinal purposes around the world. These fungi gained their fame as “magic” because they produce chemical compounds (called psilocybin and psilocin) which have psychedelic effects. The most famous species of these mushrooms, due to their global distribution and ease of cultivation, is Psilocybe cubensis, known primarily from its preferred habitat of dung-laden fields | Conversation, South Africa