Reports: April |
The impact of drug-related law enforcement activity on serious violence and homicide: A systematic review
This report presents the findings from a systematic literature review on the impact of drug-related law enforcement activity on serious violence and homicide. The report was prepared for the UK Home Office to inform work undertook to implement the Drugs Strategy ‘From Harm to Hope: a 10-year drugs plan to cut crime and save lives’, published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government (HM Government 2021) | Home Office, UK
Drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding: 2025 to 2026
Funding to local councils to help them improve their drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems, from 2025 to 2026 | DHSC, UK
A Roadmap to a Smokefree Country: No one starts, everyone stops, no profit in tobacco
This roadmap builds on the progress of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and outlines the comprehensive approach needed to protect future generations, close the gap in healthy life expectancy, and reduce the burden on the NHS | ASH, UK
New independent research reveals Pubwatch schemes are key to tackling disorder and creating safer drinking environments
Pubwatch schemes are key to reducing alcohol-related crime and improving the safety of the evening economy, a new independent study commissioned by voluntary organisation National Pubwatch (NPW) has confirmed. The research, conducted by Leeds Beckett University and supported with funding from JD Wetherspoon and Diageo, has shown that 86% of licensees, staff, police and those working within organisations such as local authorities, believe that Pubwatches help to create safer drinking environments | National Pub Watch, UK
Eliminating Hepatitis C in Europe: A Report on Policy Implementation for People Who Inject Drugs. Civil Society Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe 2024
The latest report in the 2024 Civil Society Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe series explores developments in hepatitis C care for people who inject drugs, based on observations from C-EHRN focal points in 40 cities across 35 European countries. The findings point to trends such as expanded access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), ongoing healthcare stigma, and disparities in harm reduction funding. To gain further insights into this year’s report, we spoke with primary author Tuukka Tammi | C-EHRN, The Netherlands
Pregnancy smoking rates as high as 25% - report
Up to 25% of women in certain areas of Bradford smoke while pregnant, a new report (PDF) suggests. The document, provided by the Action on Smoking and Health charity, said smoking had a "disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations" in the district | BBC, UK
Four decades of overdose prevention centres: lessons for the future from a realist review
Overdose prevention centres are spaces where people can consume previously obtained illicit drugs under the supervision of staff who can intervene to prevent and manage overdose. They have been provided in Europe and elsewhere for nearly 40 years, initially in response to the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. We can learn from their operation history to inform future developments in harm reduction services | Harm Reduction Journal, UK
Hepatitis C Impact Report 2024
Between April '23 – March '24, we tested 37,896 people for hep C & supported 1,358 to start treatment. Thanks to the dedication of service users, staff & partners, the national hep C programme made significant strides | Change Grow Live, UK
Policy Briefing: The sale and marketing of zero-alcohol drinks (PDF)
Zero-alcohol products are being marketed in areas that are deemed child-protected by the Public Health (Alcohol) Act (2018), exposing children to alcohol marketing which is a known driver of alcohol consumption in children and young people. Zero-alcohol products that use the same branding as their full-strength alternatives must be subject to the same marketing regulations under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act | Alcohol Action Ireland, Ireland
A wake-up call: our new research into alcohol harm across the drinking spectrum
Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, shares his thoughts on the recent report 'Alcohol Harm Across the Drinking Spectrum', which examined the drinking habits of more than 4,000 UK adults and the wide range of health harms associated with different levels of alcohol consumption | Alcohol Change UK, UK
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia: early insights
This report presents key statistics about Australia’s publicly funded alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services and their clients. Early insights is a companion report to the data and analysis presented in Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia: annual report | AIHW, Australia
Drug-related hospital statistics [Scotland]
There were 11,136 drug-related hospital stays (2022/23: 9,654). The European Age-sex Standardised Rate (EASR) of drug-related hospital stays was 212 stays per 100,000 population. This rate was an increase from 2022/23 (186 stays per 100,000 population) but remained below the 2021/22 level (242 stays per 100,000 population). In relation to drug types, the highest stay rate (91 per 100,000 population) was for opioids (drugs similar to heroin). This rate was higher than in 2022/23 (83 stays per 100,000 population) but remained below the peak of 144 per 100,000 population in 2019/20 | Public Health Scotland, UK
Routes of Marijuana Use — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 22 U.S. States and Two Territories, 2022
In 2022, 15.3% of adults reported current cannabis use, approximately 80% of whom reported smoking. Eating, vaping, and dabbing (inhaling heated concentrated cannabis) were also common, and approximately one half of respondents reported multiple routes of use. Vaping and dabbing were most prevalent among adults aged 18–24 years | CDC, USA
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report
Drug-related harms remained high during the most recent quarter (December 2024 to February 2025), with a notable rise in suspected drug deaths compared to the previous quarter. Intelligence indicates Scotland’s drugs markets are likely to be contaminated. Contamination is likely to involve toxic synthetic substances which increase the risk of overdose and death. Harm reduction interventions should routinely advise about the risk of contamination in pills, powders and counterfeit medicines. Adulteration of heroin with nitazene-type opioids continues to be reported through RADAR reports and WEDINOS. Nitazenes are associated with rapid onset of overdose and difficulty reversing overdoses with naloxone. They have been detected in post-mortem and hospital toxicology in Scotland | Public Health Scotland, UK