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Weekly news - 2nd May 2025

In date order, Monday to Friday

Physical and psychological symptoms of ketamine abuse revealed in research

The study, led by the University of Exeter and University College London (UCL), is the largest to date to explore the experience of people currently living with ketamine addiction in-depth. Supported by NIHR, the research included interviews with users, in which many said they were not aware of the risks of addiction until their ketamine use was already out of control, with one calling ketamine “the heroin of a generation” | University of Exeter, UK

Drug Education Forum Summer 2025

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:30 - 17:00 BST. Our keynote speaker is Prof Owen Bowden-Jones, presenting the findings and recommendations from the ACMD Prevention Report, which is shortly to be published. Owen has a wealth of experience and expertise, as consultant addiction psychiatrist at CNWL NHS Foundation Trust, Honorary Professor at University College London, and Chair of the ACMD. The event will also feature three short spotlights featuring – Morgan Moore, Aimee O’Neill & Prof Chris Pudney.
They will present findings of research into the vaping market, an implementation of a prevention model for young people & opportunities for health research funding | Drug Education Forum, UK

Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report

Drug-related harms remained high during the most recent quarter (December 2024 to February 2025), with a notable rise in suspected drug deaths compared to the previous quarter. Intelligence indicates Scotland’s drugs markets are likely to be contaminated. Contamination is likely to involve toxic synthetic substances which increase the risk of overdose and death. Harm reduction interventions should routinely advise about the risk of contamination in pills, powders and counterfeit medicines. Adulteration of heroin with nitazene-type opioids continues to be reported through RADAR reports and WEDINOS. Nitazenes are associated with rapid onset of overdose and difficulty reversing overdoses with naloxone. They have been detected in post-mortem and hospital toxicology in Scotland | Public Health Scotland, UK

Police warn drug users of 'highly potent' opioids

Cocaine recovered by Norfolk Police in King's Lynn was found to contain nitazenes, man-made opioids that can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin | BBC, UK

'Alcoholism left me homeless, now I help others recover'

When Darren Fox said he hit "rock bottom" at the worst of his alcoholism in 2019, he was homeless and slept in a box car at a railway siding. Now, after being sober for five years, the 62-year-old from Rotherham is being recognised for his voluntary work with the drug and alcohol charity that helped him recover. He has been given the Determined Volunteer Award by charity WithYou for his work helping other people struggling with addiction | BBC, UK

'We are losing a generation of young people to drug gangs'

Somali families in north London say they are fighting a battle for their children's lives. "The issue is the supply and demand of recreational drugs," explains community champion and parent of seven, Sadia Ali. "The workforce is children and young people." | BBC, UK

Public needle bin 'not a silver bullet' for drugs issue

A proposed trial to install a waste needle bin in Belfast city centre is not a "silver bullet" but one step to dealing with drugs issues in the city, a councillor has said | BBC, UK

Drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding: 2025 to 2026

Updated - The IPS grant allocation has increased for Leeds, Oldham, Suffolk and Worcestershire councils because of proven and sustained high levels of demand for access to IPS. Also, Middlesbrough is now receiving funding as part of a consortium. And the council leading each consortium has been added to the table | DHSC, UK