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Weekly news - 7th August 2026 |
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In date order, Monday to Friday
Under the influence? Perspectives of alcohol in the parliamentary workplace among UK MPs and staff
This report looks behind the curtain to explore the prevalence, perceptions, and impact of alcohol-related harm among MPs and staff working both in Westminster and constituency offices. It also looks at what support is available in the parliamentary workplace for people experiencing challenges related to alcohol | IAS, UK
‘MPs have had their stomachs pumped’: concerns over ‘alcohol-soaked’ culture in Westminster
Alcohol is embedded in profession where long hours, loneliness and lobbying are the norm, report finds | Guardian, UK
Switching from chlordiazepoxide for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Guidance to help healthcare organisations affected by the supply shortage of a medication used to manage medically assisted alcohol withdrawal has been published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The group led by Professor Julia Sinclair Chair of the UK Alcohol Care Team Innovation and Optimisation Network ACTION brought together experts in the field to help organisations navigate some of the challenges posed when supply chains are disrupted, in an area where clear guidance is lacking | RCPSYCH, UK
Glasgow residential drug service to close over rent and repairs dispute
A residential drug service in Glasgow is to close its doors after a long-running financial dispute with its council-owned landlord. The service run by the charity Turning Point Scotland will shut down, while a nearby drug crisis centre will move to the site instead. This had also been run by Turning Point, but will now be taken over by Glasgow City Council and the city's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) | BBC, UK
Drinking culture embedded in cricket - Stokes
Ben Stokes says "cricket has a drinking culture and that has not changed", but does not believe the England team has a problem with alcohol | BBC, UK
Fashion brand Jaded has ad banned for 'glamourising smoking'
Jaded London, whose clothes have been worn by Beyoncé and Kylie Jenner, used a picture of a woman on holiday holding a cigarette in one of its marketing emails. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the advert was "heavily stylised and presented the model in a fashionable and attractive manner", which made smoking seem appealing | BBC, UK
Snapshot Report: The Depiction of Under 25s in Alcohol and Gambling Ads Online
This Snapshot Report examines the extent to which people aged under 25 feature in social media and online display ads in the gambling and alcohol sectors. The rules for these sectors are clear that people who are, or seem to be, under the age of 25 cannot play a prominent role or be seen gambling or drinking. Our findings show that the vast majority of advertisers in these sectors play by the rules and don’t take risks when it comes to the age of people in their ads | ASA, UK
Medetomidine found in drug supply in South West London
Surrey Substance Use Partnership's Local Drug Information System have received intelligence that Medetomidine, a potent non-opioid veterinary sedative, has contaminated the drug supply in Sutton, South West London | Forward Trust, UK
‘It can make you psychotic or give you a cardiac arrest’: why are so many children vaping the ‘prison drug’ spice?
Parents and teachers worry about the number of kids who vape cannabis. But many of them are using something far more dangerous – without even realising it | Guardian, UK
Official Statistics - Stop smoking service data explorer
Updated with the latest data. This data explorer presents latest published analysis on stop smoking service data, alongside indicators relating to the prevalence of smoking | OHID, UK
People experiencing homelessness and their experiences with substance use services for alcohol treatment in England: Journey mapping based on semi-structured interviews
[Open access] Alcohol consumption at high levels is common among people experiencing homelessness and contributes to inequalities. In relative terms these individuals are underrepresented in substance use services. This study captured common trajectories and identified barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment among a group of people currently experiencing homelessness and who have used or have been eligible for alcohol treatment | Addiction, UK
Magic mushrooms can ease depression resistant to other treatments, major study finds
A major new study has found that just a single dose of magic mushrooms could significantly ease depression. Results found the psychedelic could help with symptoms that is resistant to other treatments. Symptoms went into remission in four in 10 patients taking part in the first publicly-funded trial of the therapy. One person described the treatment as “very emotional” at times, but said it helped them to understand their depression more | Independent, UK
Daily smoking falls by a third as six in 10 UK vapers are former smokers
Daily smoking in the UK has fallen by almost a third since 2020, while six in 10 people who currently vape are former smokers, new figures from Action on Smoking and Health suggest | Clearing the air, UK