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Weekly news - 14th March 2025 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
Children investigated for ketamine offences, data shows
A total of 86 people, including children, were investigated for possessing, intending to supply or supplying ketamine in Dorset between 2020 and 2024, new police statistics show. The figures released by Dorset Police, external show 15 children were investigated between 2020 and 2024 and 70 adults, aged 18 and over | BBC, UK
Study reveals rise in smoking and drinking after separation
A new study by researchers at Oxford Population Health and Trinity College Dublin finds increased smoking and drinking during marital separation | University of Oxford, UK
The Future of Drug & Alcohol Services in Bristol
Over the 38 years BDP has been operating in Bristol many things have changed. Governments have formed and left, the needs of our communities have evolved but our commitment to providing the best possible services for people who use drugs and alcohol in Bristol has been resolute. On April 1st 2025, the next evolution in BDP’s history will begin as we embark in a new partnership that will be delivering drug and alcohol services in Bristol for at least the next 5 years | BDP, UK
Warning over super-strength drugs linked to deaths
An addiction support service is warning about the danger of super-strength drugs that have been linked to a number of deaths across the UK | BBC, UK
Today is the day - 12th March 2025
A range of resources to help you support No Smoking Day are now available to download from the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre. These can be used immediately to help drive awareness and encourage smokers to make a quit attempt as we approach No Smoking Day on Wednesday 12 March 2025 | NHS, UK
Former smoker tells of heart attack 'nightmare'
A former smoker who almost died from a heart attack says he does not want others to go through the same "living nightmare". John Stephenson, from Stockton, Teesside, had three stents fitted two years ago, at the age of 48, having been told by doctors he may not survive the operation following a lifetime of smoking. He has been chosen as the face of a health campaign in north-east England encouraging people to kick the habit ahead of No Smoking Day on Wednesday | BBC, UK
Concern over rise in alcohol-related harm in city
Incidents of anti-social behaviour in York city centre's alcohol restriction zone went up over the past year, councillors have been told | BBC, UK
13% of ‘nicotine-free’ vapes contain the addictive substance – Trading Standards
All 10 products found to contain nicotine were also found to exceed the limit on the amount of e-liquid permitted in vapes | Independent, UK
Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: October to December 2024
There were 1,065 suspected drug deaths in 2024. This was 11% (132) fewer than in 2023 (1,197). Suspected drug deaths in Scotland have fallen over recent quarters but remain at a high level | Scottish Government, UK
Only 4% of pharmacies offering smoking cessation service claimed payment in three months
Exclusive: Of the 4,721 pharmacies registered to provide the service, 203 claimed payment for a consultation between July and September 2024 | Pharmaceutical Journal, UK
Sons worst affected by smoking in pregnancy - study
University of Aberdeen researchers looked at data from 500,000 people around the UK to assess genetic links. They said the results indicated that men born to women who smoked through pregnancy were more likely to die younger if they went on to smoke themselves | BBC, UK
Vaping is linked with breathing issues in young people
The more often people vaped, the more likely they were to report breathing issues. Those who had vaped more than 20 days in the past month were about twice as likely as never-users to report breathing problems | NIHR, UK
Scottish Football in alcohol ban ‘own goal’: study concludes ending alcohol ban could increase risk of disorder and add to alcohol harms
Football authorities in Scotland pushing to reintroduce alcohol in Scottish football grounds have scored an ‘own goal’ according to Scotland’s national alcohol charity, Alcohol Focus Scotland, after an exploratory study funded by them concluded that doing so could result in increased alcohol consumption, reduced fan safety and increased public disorder | Alcohol Focus Scotland, UK
Record high alcohol related deaths in Wales highlight urgent public health concerns
Latest figures on substance misuse from Public Health Wales have revealed worrying trends in alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions across the country. The report, which examines data from health, social care, education and criminal justice services highlights the continuing need to recognise and address the growing public health impacts of alcohol consumption | Public Health Wales, UK
Prolonged-release opioids: Removal of indication for relief of post-operative pain
The indication for the treatment of post-operative pain has been removed from the licences of all prolonged release opioids due to the increased risk of persistent post-operative opioid use (PPOU) and opioid-induced ventilatory impairment (OIVI) | MHRA, UK
Correspondence: ACMD work programme 2025
Letter to the Home Secretary from the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) discussing the ACMD work programme for 2025 | ACMD, UK
New residential rehabilitation service opens
First Minister John Swinney has officially opened the first phase of a new residential rehabilitation service in Aberdeenshire, which will increase capacity in the North East of Scotland. The 27-bed facility, named Rae House and run by Phoenix Futures, will be followed by a second phase which will consist of 53 units of housing and therapeutic community ‘Dayhab’ in Aberdeen City, which in total could provide up to 200 placements a year | Scottish Government, UK
NHS England to be brought under government control
NHS England will be abolished and brought under "democratic control" in an attempt to cut bureaucracy and duplication, Sir Keir Starmer has announced | BBC, UK
After the high: Chemsex, beyond the myths - video
ITV News investigates a 'silent' crisis of drug deaths shaking parts of the gay community across the UK. Police, charities and the NHS are warning without wider action around 'chemsex' and its related drugs, many more will spiral into addiction | ITV, UK