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Weekly news - 21st March 2025 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
PHS urges caution after increase in sudden overdoses in Scotland
Public Health Scotland (PHS) is urging caution, following reports of an increase in fatal and near fatal overdoses in people using heroin in recent weeks. Some overdoses have been characterised by sudden and rapid collapse, with many requiring multiple doses of naloxone to reverse the overdose. Rapid testing has identified a nitazene-type opioid in some heroin samples linked to these overdoses, with further testing underway to determine the specific type | PHS, UK
Raised concerns after a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland
There is concern about clusters of drug related harm including both near-fatal overdoses and deaths. As a result, Scottish Drugs Forum have launched refreshed information and resources to raise awareness of the signs of overdose and how we can reduce risk | SDF, UK
‘Brain pacemakers’: implants to be tested to help alcohol and opioid addicts
Trial will determine whether electrical pulses can control and decrease yearnings | Guardian, UK
Wastewater analysis: Measuring illicit drug consumption
This report presents the findings from the Home Office Wastewater Analysis Programme, including consumption estimates for key illicit drugs in early 2023 and 2024 | Home Office, UK
Health secretary admits 'risk of disruption' in NHS overhaul
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said there is a "risk of disruption" in the NHS as he attempts to overhaul the service and reduce waste, but has promised long-term improvements | BBC, UK
New pub rule coming into force from April 1 will be 'incredibly disappointing'
The temporary licensing regulation was a lifeline for the hospitality industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it will not be renewed when its time is up in two weeks' time | Mirror, UK
Councils unprepared for retailer licensing scheme to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine
Research conducted by the Express found that 92% of councils had not started preparing for the new licensing scheme | Convenience Store, UK
Growing concern over number of young people vaping
A new study has sparked growing concerns over the number of young people with a nicotine addiction through vaping | BBC, UK
Smoking rates in parts of England rise for first time since 2006, study shows
South-west sees biggest jump, up 17% between 2020 and 2024, while rate in southern England increases by 10% | Guardian, UK [See study below]
Trends in smoking prevalence and socio-economic inequalities across regions in England: A population study, 2006 to 2024
[Open access] In addition to national policies and interventions, certain regions in England (particularly in the North) coordinate regional tobacco control programmes. This study aimed to (i) examine trends in tobacco smoking prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in smoking across regions and (ii) explore how trends in smoking prevalence have differed between regions with and without dedicated regional tobacco control activity | Addiction, UK
Scottish Burden of Disease Future prevalence and burden of chronic liver disease (PDF)
Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases are long-term conditions. The consequences from chronic liver disease can vary from person to person and can include an increased risk of early death. The prevalence of chronic liver disease is therefore influenced through two main pathways: the incidence of chronic liver disease, and the survival rate of prevalent cases. If improvements in mortality are not met by equivalent improvements in disease prevention, the number of prevalent cases will grow. Preventing and reducing exposure to risk factors such as alcohol use, obesity and hepatitis C and B is key | Public Health Scotland, UK
UK pharmacies could cut hours unless NHS provides ‘new and sufficient’ funding
The National Pharmacy Association has recommended collective action for the first time in its history | Guardian, UK
Patients in mental health wards need better quit support as government prepares to ban smoking on hospital grounds
New research - Space to breathe - Findings from a survey of smokefree policies and tobacco dependence treatment services in NHS mental health trusts in England - by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), funded by Cancer Research UK, finds that people admitted to mental health trusts have better access to treatment for smoking than they did 5 years ago but are being let down by a failure to create smokefree care environments. The findings come as the government prepares to ban smoking on all hospital grounds | ASH, UK
Estimated Prevalence of Opioid Dependence in Scotland
The estimated number of people with opioid dependence in Scotland was 43,400 (95% CrI: 41,900 to 45,100). This represents an estimated prevalence of 1.23% (95% CrI: 1.19% to 1.28%) of 15- to 64-year-olds | Public Health Scotland, UK
More than 15 medical emergencies at UK's first drug consumption room
The facility, known as the Thistle, began operating in Glasgow on January 13 | STV News, UK
Latest wastewater data from 128 European cities: more stimulants but less cannabis found
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). The rise in MDMA, cocaine and amphetamine detections compared to 2023 takes centre stage in this year's study, along with decreases in cannabis detections | EUDA, Portugal
Capability framework for the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery workforce
The government has invested an additional £532 million between 2022 and 2025 to improve the capacity and quality of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services. The new capability framework will support the development of a multidisciplinary workforce with the consistent capability to deliver high-quality treatment and recovery services. It aims to enable safer and more effective practice by describing the skills, knowledge and behaviours required for 15 core roles in the adult and children and young people’s drug and alcohol treatment and recovery workforce. Commissioners and service providers should use this capability framework to ensure that their workforce has the required skills, knowledge and behaviours to enable services to deliver the rounded care and treatment required by their population | NHS.UK, UK
Just Existing? - Opiate addiction in prison
Half of opiate-addicted prisoners don’t get their prescription or access treatment after release. Even fewer reach a second or third. Last year, drug-related deaths rose to a record high of 5,448 – a reflection of chaotic lives marked by addiction, crime, and repeated prison sentences. This tells us what is happening, not why. So, our report published today, Just Existing?, and the accompanying infographic are unapologetically the independent lived experience of nearly 300 opiate-addicted prisoners, in their own words. At best, these accounts reflect the truth; at worst, they are perceptions. Either way, this is their reality | Lived Expert, UK