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Daily news - 4th November 2026 |
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UK news
Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2025 registrations
Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales from 1993 to 2025, by cause of death, sex, age and substances involved in the death | ONS, UK
Drug alerts: Fentanyl Found in Heroin Supply in Thurrock and Essex
Forward Trust has been made aware of reports that, since early October, some heroin supplies circulating in the Thurrock and Essex area have tested positive for fentanyl. This information has been verified through fentanyl testing strips and intelligence received by our Thurrock Drug and Alcohol Service. Several people have also reported that heroin currently in circulation appears stronger than usual and has caused them to feel unwell following use | The Forward Trust, UK
Find a Residential Rehab Centre
This new directory brings together residential rehab centres in England that accept publicly funded placements, so you can find out what they offer and learn more about your options. For information about how to access funded rehab, see the Rehab Access Guide | Open Houses, UK
Residential rehabilitation bed capacity in Scotland, August 2026
As at August 2026, the maximum residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation bed capacity in Scotland was 619 beds across 30 facilities. This is an increase of 45 beds (8%) compared with October 2025 (574 beds) | Scottish Government, UK
Drinkaware says increasing-risk drinking represents one of the UK’s biggest opportunities for prevention
Findings from the 2026 Drinkaware Monitor show that nearly one in five (18%) UK drinkers reported drinking at increasing-risk levels in the week prior to the survey | Drinkaware, UK
Smoking ban on school grounds and children’s play areas supported by 93% of polled Scots, as new report is published
A huge majority of people surveyed in Scotland support proposals to extend smoke-free spaces to outdoor areas mainly used by children such as school grounds and play areas, according to an opinion poll commissioned by ASH Scotland | ASH Scotland, UK
Learning lessons from drug and alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol Change UK believes that learning from deaths and serious incidents is essential to improving systems and preventing further harm. We have led multi partner work to develop alcohol death review models and to strengthen local approaches to Drug and Alcohol Related Death reviews | Alcohol Change UK, UK
Ketamine is 'leaving people in nappies', warns deputy mayor
The deputy mayor of West Yorkshire says the effects of taking ketamine can be "catastrophic" - and tackling it is one of her priorities | BBC, UK
K-HOLE: The Ketamine Documentary | The Hidden Reality of Ketamine - video
This documentary, produced by Inspired Youth in partnership with Believe in People, explores ketamine addiction, ketamine bladder damage, substance misuse, trauma, recovery, treatment and the impact ketamine is having on individuals, families and communities. Hosted by Matthew Butler, K-HOLE travels across Northern England, bringing together lived experience, families, clinicians and frontline professionals to explore the realities of ketamine | Inspired Youth in partnership with Believe in People, UK
How addictive is cocaine?
From what you know, how addictive do you think Cocaine is? | YouGov, UK
How addictive is cannabis?
From what you know, how addictive do you think Cannabis is? | YouGov, UK
How addictive is heroin?
From what you know, how addictive do you think Heroin is? | YouGov, UK
How harmful is cocaine to people who regularly use it?
From what you know, how harmful do you think cocaine is to people who regularly take it? | YouGov, UK
How harmful is heroin to people who regularly use it?
From what you know, how harmful do you think heroin is to people who regularly take it?
Detective who tested positive for cocaine barred
A detective sergeant who tested positive for cocaine at work has been barred from ever serving as a police officer again | BBC, UK
Public toilets to charge after drug and alcohol use
A charge will be introduced to use public toilets in the centre of a seaside town after reports of drug and alcohol use and anti-social behaviour | BBC, UK
International news
Nicotine Pouch Use Triples Among US Tobacco Users
Nicotine pouch use among US adult tobacco users more than tripled between 2021 and 2024, research shows. The findings highlight a substantial shift in nicotine consumption patterns, particularly among younger adults, men, and individuals already using other tobacco products | EMJ, UK
Webinar | Shaping Spaces, Shaping Services: Designing Drug Consumption Rooms - video
This is the recording of the webinar held on the 27th October 2026 which explored how interior and spatial design can influence the effectiveness, accessibility, and client experience of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) | C-EHRN, The Netherlands
Psychedelics: Ancient Traditions and Modern Myths | Interview with Manvir Singh, PhD
Did psychedelic traditions emerge independently across the world, or are they concentrated in specific cultural contexts? At ICPR 2026, we spoke with anthropologist Manvir Singh about the history of human relationships with psychoactive plants and fungi, indigenous knowledge systems, and the anthropological evidence surrounding psychedelic use | Drug Reporter, Hungary
About half of drinkers on GLP-1s say they imbibed less
Nearly half of drinkers who take GLP-1 medications have reported declines in consumption, with the effect higher among those at risk of unhealthy alcohol use, a new Harvard study shows. The work, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, explores an unexpected side effect of GLP-1s used to treat diabetes and obesity | Medical Xpress, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Britain’s failing jails are putting the public at risk
As his tenure as inspector of prisons for England and Wales approaches its end, Charlie Taylor offers a damning assessment of Britain’s overcrowded jails, where prisoners are neglected – and dangerously unrehabilitated | Independent editorial, UK
‘My energy levels have increased’: Our readers share their own health experiences giving up alcohol
As Sober October comes to an end, our readers took to the comments to explain their experience with sobriety and the benefits it can bring in the short and long term | Independent views, UK