Reports: March |
Binge drinking rises sharply among gen Z in their early 20s
Research challenges idea of ‘generation sensible’ as alcohol and drug use increase after teenage years. Researchers from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) analysed data from nearly 10,000 people born across the UK in 2000-02 who are taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study | Guardian, UK
No More Half Measures Time to get serious about alcohol harm (PDF)
Alcohol Focus Scotland actively engages with communities- including recovery groups and children and young people - about alcohol. The voices, experiences, and insights we’ve gathered from those most affected by alcohol-related harms are reflected throughout this manifesto | Alcohol Focus Scotland, UK
The costs of tackling drug harms in prisons (PDF)
In April 2025, approximately 40,000 people in prisons in England and Wales (50%) had an identified drug problem. Misuse of illicit drugs by people in prison creates or exacerbates risks to their health, well-being and personal safety. Between December 2022 and December 2024, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigated 833 deaths, of which 136 (16%) were drug-related. Conveyance, supply and use of illicit drugs also increase risks to the safety and stability of the prison regime. Availability of drugs inside prisons creates an illicit economy that can fuel debt, which can lead to assault, extortion or self-harm | NAO, UK
Ketamine in Europe: EMPACT situation report
This publication presents a consolidated EU-level assessment of ketamine trafficking and related emerging risks, developed under Operational Action 1.5 of the 2024–2025 EMPACT Synthetic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances action plan. Drawing on contributions from 32 countries, complemented by expert discussions and EUDA monitoring activities, the report provides an evidence-based overview of ketamine’s availability, supply patterns, non-medical use and associated security concerns across Europe | EUDA, Portugal
Next phase of alcohol and drugs response
A new plan (PDF) to reduce deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs has been published. The joint Scottish Government and COSLA plan aims to improve collaboration between government and grassroots delivery with a locally-led, accountable system, guided by clear national direction and support. Backed by more than £160 million in 2026-27, the plan builds on the Scottish Government’s five-year National Mission on Drugs which ends in April. A key priority is to expand treatment standards to include alcohol and all drugs | Scottish Government, UK
NHS stop smoking services quarterly - Local Delivery Plan standard, 2025/26 (quarter 2)
In the period July to September 2025, NHS Scotland achieved 73% (1,286 quits out of 1,757) of a quarter of the annual LDP standard | PHS, UK
‘I signed the Pledge at an early age’ Investigating the long-term effects of involvement in the Band of Hope (PDF)
Hope UK aims to help children and young people make drug-free choices. To understand the long-term effectiveness of our work, we surveyed 65 former members of the Band of Hope (now Hope UK). We wanted to learn about their involvement and its impact on their attitudes towards legal and illegal drugs, and to compare these results to those of their peers in the general population | Hope UK, UK
ACMD work programme 2026
Letter to the the Minister for Policing and Crime from the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) discussing the ACMD work programme for 2026 | ACMD, UK
Over a Million Quit Smoking in 2025, as Health Charities Urge Smokers to Join the Smokefree Generation
New figures released to mark National No Smoking Day (11 March) shows that more than one million people in Great Britain quit smoking in 2025. Analysis from UCL’s Smoking Toolkit Study found that, among people in Great Britain who reported smoking in the past year, 35% tried to stop, and of those, 29% quit successfully– equivalent to more than a million people across the country. Separate YouGov polling for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) shows the appetite to quit is already strong: 53% of smokers say they want to stop, including 22% who “REALLY want to stop” | ASH, UK
WithYou Scotland Impact Report 2025
Across Scotland, thousands of people are living with challenges linked to drugs and alcohol. The right support can make a real difference. Our new Scotland impact report looks at the work our teams carried out in 2025 and the people we supported along the way | WithYou, UK
Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: October to December 2025
There were 1,146 suspected drug deaths in 2025. This was 8% (81) more than in 2024 (1,065). After following a downward trend in 2024, the rolling 12-month total of suspected drug deaths has been increasing in 2025 | Scottish Government, UK
Evaluation of the National Mission on Drug Deaths: feasibility and added value of an ongoing national lived experience feedback survey in Scotland
This report presents the findings from stakeholder consultations about the feasibility and added value of establishing an ongoing national lived experience feedback survey in Scotland. In 2024 we ran a national pilot survey of individuals with experience of using drugs, about the support available to them. We published the findings from that pilot survey in July 2025. Between July and October 2025, we spoke to 20 stakeholders about their involvement in developing and carrying out the survey, and their use of the survey findings. This briefing presents the findings from those consultations | Public Health Scotland, UK
Evaluation of the National Mission on Drug Deaths: exploring changes to family support
This publication presents findings from an externally commissioned study on the support available to families of individuals with experience of using drugs. The study explores any changes in the support since 2021, when the National Mission was introduced. The study also explores what family support provision is currently like in Scotland. The study captures the perspective of family members and family support providers | Public Health Scotland, UK
Evaluation of the National Mission on Drug Deaths frontline staff survey
This publication presents findings from a 2025 online survey of staff working in frontline alcohol and drug services in Scotland. This is a short follow-up survey to a longer earlier survey of staff in frontline alcohol and drug services in 2023. This report compares the 2023 and 2025 responses to 12 statements about staff's experience of working in frontline alcohol and drug services | Public Health Scotland, UK
National drug related death database (Scotland)
This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information from the National Drug-Related Deaths Database (NDRDD) on Drug-Related Deaths (DRDs) registered in Scotland in 2021 and 2022, with trend data from 2012. The report narrative and main points focus on DRDs registered in the most recently reported year, 2022 | Public Health Scotland, UK
Scotland’s Health First: A Manifesto for Tackling NCD Prevention and the Commercial Determinants of Health (PDF)
Scotland’s health is deteriorating. 85% of people believe commercial industries should take greater responsibility for the harm caused by their products.1 We are urging bold but practical steps that the next Parliament can implement in its early years to help reverse this trend and build the foundations of a healthier, more prosperous Scotland | NCD Alliance Scotland, UK
Europe’s wastewater tells a new story: sharp drop in MDMA, but ketamine and cocaine climb
The latest findings from the largest European project monitoring illicit drug use through wastewater analysis are released today in Wastewater analysis and drugs — a European multi-city study, published by the Europe-wide SCORE group, in association with the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). This year’s findings highlight a marked decline in MDMA residues across the participating cities, alongside strong increases in ketamine and cocaine detections | EUDA, Portugal
Pathways between probation and addiction: a follow-up study
This report presents follow-up analysis building on Pathways between probation and addiction treatment in England: report - GOV.UK focusing on people sentenced to community orders (COs) and suspended sentence orders (SSOs) with an Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR) or Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR). It examines engagement with alcohol and drug treatment, how engagement relates to reconvictions outcomes, and their characteristics | DHSC, UK
National guidance advises complete ban on vapes in Scottish schools
Schools told of legal responsibility to dispose of vapes and lithium batteries safely in new government guidance that also addresses other substances and their use in schools | TES, UK
Data suggests a million UK adults spiked in last year
Since 2021, forensic science academics at ARU have partnered with the UK’s leading alcohol charity Drinkaware to track the prevalence of drink spiking through national surveys, undertaken by YouGov | ARU, UK
The smoking ban has shown that meaningful change is possible
Smoking rates in Scotland have halved, and thousands of lives have been saved since smokefree legislation came into force twenty years ago. As the anniversary approaches, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is highlighting the profound impact of the ban — a public health success story that continues to shape the nation’s wellbeing. A new report, published by PHS, shows the positive impact this decisive measure has had on non-smokers too | Public Health Scotland, UK
Scotland losing up to £6bn a year to drug harm, think tank finds
Ahead of the Scottish elections, economic modelling shows the stark cost of drug addiction to Scotland, with the wider social and economic costs estimated as up to £5.7 billion annually | Social Market Foundation, UK
Estimated prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland
The estimated number of people with opioid dependence in Scotland was 43,400 (95% CrI: 42,000 to 45,400). This represents an estimated prevalence of 1.13% (95% CrI: 1.09% to 1.18%) of 15- to 69-year-olds | PHS, UK
National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times
10,863 referrals were made to community-based specialist drug and alcohol treatment services, a decrease of 10.9% from the previous quarter (12,195). Lower numbers of referrals in each quarter ending December reflect reduced service availability during the festive period | PHS, UK
Buckinghamshire Uncovered -Shining a spotlight on our county of contrast: Alcohol misuse in our community (PDF)
Alcohol use is of particular concern in Buckinghamshire. 1 in 4 Buckinghamshire adults drink above the government guidelines for lowrisk alcohol consumption (more than 14 units per week) – higher than the national average. This proportion has not reduced for a number of years. Alcohol is also the number-one cause of death and premature death in Buckinghamshire’s 15-49 year-old population. In terms of overall harm (to self and to others), alcohol is identified as the most harmful drug | Heart of Bucks, UK