Reports: January |
Guidance: Medicine choices in opioid substitution treatment
Recommendations for prescribing methadone and buprenorphine to people in treatment for opioid dependence in England | DHSC, UK
Guidance: Local stop smoking services and support: funding for 2025 to 2026
Information about the additional funding of £70 million to local authorities in England for stop smoking services and support in 2025 to 2026 | DHSC, UK
Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, financial year ending 2024
Contains figures for seizures of drugs made by local police forces and the UK Border Force | Home Office, UK
Vapes four times more profitable to convenience stores than tobacco
Small convenience stores are selling less tobacco, and the tobacco products they do sell are much less profitable to them than vaping products, according to new analysis from the University of Edinburgh. Profit margins from vapes were far higher than those of tobacco products, with an average of 37.1% for vape products compared to 8.5% for tobacco products in September 2022. For comparison, profit margins were, on average, 21.0% across all product types | ASH, UK
YouGov survey shows more people drinking low and no alcohol alternatives than ever before
The results show that well over a third (38%) of UK drinkers are now consuming low and no alcohol alternatives semi-regularly (12% regularly and 26% occasionally) – compared to 35% in 2023 and 29% in 2022, with a notable increase in regular consumption from 8% in 2023 to 12% in 2024 | Portman Group, UK
Review of the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Wales: contribution analysis
This evaluation aimed to assess the contribution (if any) that the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol (MPA) in Wales has made to any alcohol related behavioural, consumption, and retail outcomes | Welsh Government, UK
People’s Panel on reducing drug harm and deaths in Scotland (PDF)
After two weekends of focused, determined, and dedicated work, the People's panel agreed a collective statement and 19 recommendations to answer the set panel question - ‘What does Scotland need to do differently to reduce drug related harms?’ | Scottish Parliament, UK
The political is personal: Exploring drinking cultures in Westminster and making the case for more alcohol support
We publish the findings of research with MPs, exploring attitudes to alcohol in Westminster and the impact on working culture across the Parliamentary estate | Alcohol Change UK, UK
AHA position on Alcohol-Free and Low-Alcohol Drinks
Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are becoming increasingly popular. From a low base in the UK, the growth has been rapid and alcohol companies are now increasingly recognising their commercial potential. This document sets out the full AHA policy position on alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks. It covers 8 key areas where we are calling for changes and/or new national policies | AHA, UK
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report
Drug-related harms decreased during the most recent quarter (September to November 2024). However, intelligence suggests the drug supply remains highly toxic and unpredictable, requiring ongoing vigilance and a heightened response. Significant disruptions and adaptations in the heroin and benzodiazepine markets, appear to be influencing levels and patterns of harm | Public Health Scotland, UK
1 in 4 drug-related deaths involve cocaine
Latest figures from Public Health Wales show that cocaine was involved in 65 deaths in 2023, accounting for a quarter of all drug misuse fatalities and ranking as the third most common substance, following opioids and benzodiazepines | Public Health Wales, UK
Data Insight: Enforced alcohol abstinence: does it reduce reoffending?
Faced with a crime related to the offender’s drinking, courts in England and Wales can impose treatment or require the wearing of a tag to enforce abstinence. Evidence for reduced reoffending emerged only for tags, not for treatment. Formal report here, researcher’s comments here and here | ADR UK, UK