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Weekly news - 29th August 2025 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
Open call for evidence - The misuse and harms of gabapentin and pregabalin
This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 13 October 2025. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is currently reviewing the evidence on the misuse and harms of pregabalin and gabapentin (gabapentinoids) in the United Kingdom. This call for evidence will provide qualitative data to help the ACMD to: 1) inform the development of recommendations to government on how to best limit the harms posed by the potential misuse of gabapentinoids and 2) assess whether the classification of gabapentin and pregabalin to Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has had the intended effect. The call is for any individual or organisation with knowledge or lived experience regarding the potential for harm caused by the misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin | ACMD, UK
Ketamine Use in the UK: Insights from Phoenix Futures’ Residential Services
As ketamine use continues to rise across the UK we have surveyed our residential staff and residents to shed light on the growing prevalence, motivations, and harms associated with ketamine use, particularly among young people. We hope this will aid the development of much-needed support for people affected by ketamine use | Phoenix Futures, UK
Work with Collective Voice to review our approach to lived and living experience
This page should give you all the information you need to get involved in our review of how we engage with people with lived and living experience – but if you’d prefer to watch a short video introduction by one of our trustees, Vicki Beere, then just click here to see it on YouTube. Vicki tells you what you need to know about this project and how to get involved in under 3 minutes | Collective Voice, UK
Call for supermarkets to be banned from displaying alcohol near checkouts and entrances
Supermarkets should be banned from displaying alcohol near checkouts and entrances - a new petition has said | Manchester Evening News, UK
Addiction service sees rise in cocaine referrals
The number of referrals that an addiction charity has received for cocaine has surpassed those for cannabis-users for the first time, its Chief Executive has said | BBC, UK
Edinburgh identifies two potential sites for new drug consumption room
A report released by the city’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) revealed the facility could open on the Cowgate or on Spittal Street, both in the city’s Old Town | Daily Record, UK
Monitoring the Future Panel Study annual report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 65, 1976–2024 (PDF)
The percentage of young and midlife adults using nicotine pouches significantly increased last year, while cannabis use, vaping and the use of psychedelic drugs are at or near all-time highs, according to the latest data from the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Panel survey | University of Michigan, USA
Largest ever study into cannabis use investigates risk of paranoia and poor mental health in the general population
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, in partnership with the University of Bath, has found that the reasons why a person chooses to use cannabis can increase their risk of developing paranoia | KCL, UK
New guidance to help people with poor mental health and substance dependence get out into nature
Experts in substance use at the University have created how-to guidance manuals for nature-based programmes, otherwise known as greenspace programmes, that promote health through activities such as gardening, conservation, and forest walks. This builds on previous work by the team that has evidenced why these types of programmes appear to work for poor mental health and substance dependence | University of Stirling, UK
MDMA circulation sparks Electric Picnic warning
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has urged Electric Picnic festival goers to engage with its drug harm reduction teams, as it remains on alert for high-strength drugs in circulation at this year's festival | BBC, UK