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Weekly news - 23rd May 2025 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
'Ketamine addiction made my son a zombie'
A woman who said her son became "a zombie" through his addiction to ketamine is trying to raise awareness of the drug's dangers | BBC, UK
BDP Creative Communities Partners with Trinity
We’re excited to announce a new chapter for BDP Creative Communities: our partnership Trinity, that launched in April!| BDP, UK
UK mortality trends and international comparisons
While in the 2010s alcohol-related mortality rates for people aged 25–49 plateaued or declined and mortality rates for suicide slightly increased, the rate of drug-related deaths rose sharply. In contrast, rates of drug-related deaths continued to decline for peer countries. As a result, the drug-related mortality rate in the UK was more than three times higher in 2019 than the median of peer countries. Geographic inequalities in drug-related deaths are stark among people aged 25–49. In 2019, the drug-related mortality rate in Scotland was around 4 times higher than in England. Within England, the drug-related mortality rate in the North East was 3.5 times higher for men and almost 4 times higher for women than in London | Health Foundation, UK
Traveller who survived alcohol poisoning in Laos campaigns to get issue added to school curriculum
A woman who survived alcohol poisoning in Laos which killed six backpackers, including her friend, said travellers heading abroad this Summer should be aware of the dangers as she campaigned to get issue added to the school curriculum | ITV, UK
Statistics on Local Stop Smoking Services in England, April 2024 to December 2024 (Q3)
This report includes information on the number of people setting a quit date and the number who successfully quit at the 4 week follow-up. It also presents in-depth analyses of the key measures of the service including breakdowns by age, ethnic group, socio-economic classification, type of stop-smoking aids used in the quit attempt, as well as spend on services. The results are provided at national, regional, and local authority levels | NHS Digital, UK
Behavioural insights into youth vaping in Northern Ireland (PDF)
This report provides detailed information on the use of e-cigarettes and perceptions of vaping among young people, as well as insights into tobacco use, and will help inform the future design of targeted interventions and communications on vape use by young people | Public Health Agency, UK
Knowledge and Skills Framework & Learning Directory
The Scottish Government has published the Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Knowledge and Skills Framework. This guide is for practitioners, commissioners, managers and service providers to understand the knowledge and skills required, in addition to any professional or clinical standards. The Framework is not mandatory, does not affect the rights and duties of employees and employers and does not replace existing standards. This is complemented by the Drugs and Alcohol Learning Directory. This gives staff access to resources to help develop knowledge and skills and support personal and professional growth. The directory is based on the Framework and is divided into five themes: family-inclusive practice / tackling stigma / harm-reduction / human rights-based approach and trauma-informed care | Scottish Government, UK
The price is right: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol and the case for a windfall tax
Evidence shows that minimum unit pricing reduces alcohol harm. However, a key objection to the policy of setting a floor price for alcohol is that it unfairly creates a financial windfall for retailers, who benefit financially from being able to charge higher prices without competition. This report explores ways of taxing this windfall, examining potential changes to the alcohol duty system and the case for a new additional tax | SMF, UK
Nicotine pouches helped me quit vaping – but now I'm addicted
At one stage he was using 15 pouches a day, although the 16-year-old has now cut back to five | BBC, UK
Birkbeck study finds the availability of crack cocaine in marginalised areas is fuelling addiction and homelessness
Researchers are calling for a comprehensive approach that addresses not only addiction but also the underlying social and economic factors contributing to this crisis | Birkbeck University of London, UK
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee - Tuesday 13 May 2025 (PDF)
The official report of the evidence session given to the Health Committee on the 13th May 2025 on the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament, UK
Screen time, not health fears, behind drop in alcohol sales, says Asahi CEO
The global decline in alcohol consumption has more to do with digital distractions than health concerns, according to the boss of one of the world’s largest brewers | The Drinks Business, UK
Disposable vape ban about to start - here's everything you need to know
The popularity of vapes has skyrocketed in recent years - but the days of picking up a disposable vape from the corner shop are numbered as a ban comes into force on 1 June. Here's what you need to know | Sky News, UK
Semi-synthetic cannabinoids related to tetrahydro-cannabinol and cannabidiol
ACMD review into the use and harms of SSCs and THCA to identify compounds causing harm which are not captured by the current generic definition for cannabinoids | ACMD, UK
Independent Sentencing Review: Final report
The Independent Sentencing Review sets out proposals to address prison and probation challenges and support victims | MoJ, UK
Gauke review signals shift away from short prison sentences
Custodial sentences of less than 12 months should only be used in exceptional circumstances and use of community punishments should be increased, says the long-awaited final report of former justice secretary David Gauke’s Independent sentencing review. Suspended sentences should also be allowed for up to three years, the document states, including for low-risk offenders with substance use issues | DDN, UK
Number of vape shops in England rises by almost 1,200% in a decade
Research also shows deprived areas have up to 25 times as many bookmakers and pawnbrokers as affluent high streets | Guardian, UK
Drugs 'ruined our lives' as calls made for support
More funding is needed to support centres in Wales helping people with addiction, sector leaders have said. One service user at Penrhyn House in Bangor, Gwynedd, which helps people battling addiction said they were now 90 days sober from cocaine thanks to its help, describing the centre as a "life-saver" | BBC, UK
New addiction rehabilitation centre opens
A new hub offering support to anyone affected by addiction has opened in Blackpool. The Recovery Hub, on Church Street, is designed to "promote wellbeing, build resilience and support reintegration into the community", the council said. The team aims to provide practical support and guidance through counselling and sessions including IT and creative activities | BBC, UK