DrugWise Daily |
29th April 2025 |
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UK news
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
How well do you understand the dangers of nicotine pouches?
With a ban on single-use vapes coming into force, pouches are a new source of nicotine favoured by young people – so what do teachers need to know about the risks they pose? | TES, UK
Free vape kits boost quit rate among smokers, report finds
The rate of people giving up smoking has risen from 64 per cent to 75 per cent after the kits were offered in Calderdale, Yorkshire, during a trial funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research | Clearing the air, UK
Bedford council scraps advertising for junk food, gambling, vaping and more
Bedford Borough Council has adopted a new policy to ban advertising and sponsorship deals that promote products linked to poor health outcomes – such as junk food, alcohol, gambling, and vaping – across council-owned spaces | Bedford Today, UK
FESTIVAL FEARS - I told my 18-year-old girl ‘I love you, be good’ as I waved her off to a festival… then got the call every parent dreads
It has now been almost seven years since Georgia, 18, died from an MDMA overdose at Mutiny festival in Cosham near their home in Havant. For Janine, 48, the loss of her daughter in May 2018 remains unbearable but, as festival season begins, she’s determined to spare another mother the same agony | The Sun, UK
Boxer who beat alcoholism triumphs in comeback bout
A former heavyweight boxer whose alcoholism had left him "one drink away from death" has won his final fight after returning to the ring for the first time in more than two decades | BBC, 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
The Forward Trust’s Northern Reunion 2025: ‘The Heart of Recovery’
Saturday 24th May 2025. 11:00am – 3:30pm (doors open at 10am). 62 King Edward Street, Hull, HU1 3SQ. You are invited to The Forward Trust’s Northern Reunion 2025, ‘The Heart of Recovery!’. Whether you are a member of Forward Connect, a graduate of one of our northern recovery programmes, a client, a member of staff or have an interest or curiosity about recovery then you are welcome to attend | Forward Trust, UK
'Brutal' gang exploited vulnerable to sell drugs
Tommy Maughan, 21, Kai Bean, 21, and a 17-year-old boy used victims' Sheffield homes as bases to prepare drugs and forced them to sell them on in the local area | BBC, UK
Scouse Dave county lines drug gang pair jailed
The Liverpool-based county lines gang peddled crack cocaine and heroin in Gosport and Plymouth, Portsmouth Crown Court heard | BBC, UK
International news
I was 19 and on the trip of a lifetime – then I drank a cocktail laced with methanol
In a bar in Bali, Ashley King was given a lethal drink. A day later, she realised she was going blind. She thought all her dreams were over – but the reality proved very different | Guardian, UK
The Well-being and relationships of 25-year-olds in Ireland – What CSO data tells us
We used a measure from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assess levels of drinking in our respondents. When we spoke to this group at age 20 just over two in five of our respondents reported levels of drinking that could be categorised as risky or hazardous. At age 25, this figure had decreased slightly to just under two in five respondents reporting this level of drinking. Men (44.5%) recorded a risky or hazardous level of drinking more frequently than women (33.6%), with men educated to degree level or higher most at risk of hazardous consumption of alcohol at 51.2% | CSO, Ireland
EU exported 29.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages
In 2024, the EU exported €29.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages, indicating a 10.9% increase since 2019 (€26.9 billion). Exports were dominated by wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines, representing 56.2% (€16.8 billion) of all alcoholic beverages. Spirits and liqueurs up the second biggest category, with 29.7% of the total (€8.9 billion), followed by beer, with 11.5% (€3.4 billion); cider, perry, mead, saké, and other fermented beverages, with 1.7% (€0.5 billion); and vermouth and other wines flavoured with plants or aromatics, with 1.0% (€0.3 billion) | Eurostat, Luxembourg
High Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Mortality in Colon Cancer Patients
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found that individuals with colon cancer and a documented history of high cannabis use were more than 20 times more likely to die within five years of diagnosis compared to those without such a history | UCSD, USA
Daily exercise may protect against the negative impact of alcohol on longevity
The research comes amid a growing number of studies linking alcohol consumption with an increased risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions that can shorten lifespan. While drinking little or no alcohol is better for your health than over-consuming, the new study suggests exercise could reduce some of the health harms for people who choose to drink more heavily | Medical Xpress, USA
Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnoses Among Individuals Who Take HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis
In this cohort study of 43 913 individuals who take PrEP, 14.29% had an AUD diagnosis (2.84% before and 11.45% after PrEP initiation). Mood disorders and substance use disorders were associated with AUD diagnosis. Only 8.46% of individuals with an AUD diagnosis received a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved medication for AUD | JAMA Network Open, USA
GLP-1 medications: The next big thing in alcohol treatment?
Preliminary observation and research suggest the GLP-1 weight loss drug, semaglutide, can help reduce alcohol use, yet gold-standard randomized controlled trials have yet to be conducted. This study is one of the first randomized studies to test its effects on alcohol craving and consumption | Recovery Answers, USA
Cannabis-related hospitalizations associated with later mortality
People who use cannabis are at higher risk of adverse consequences and mental health conditions, which may increase risk of early death. This study examined whether receiving hospital care for a cannabis-related reason is associated with an increased risk of death | Recovery Answers, USA
Harm Reduction Activists Gather in Bogotá, as World Grows More Hostile
Around 1,000 people who use drugs, activists, scholars and policymakers have gathered in Bogotá, Colombia, for the 28th annual Harm Reduction International Conference, which opened on April 27. High-profile speakers also include Colombian Minister of Justice Ángela María Buitrago, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who sent a video salutation | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
A ketamine nasal spray will be subsidised for treatment-resistant depression. Here’s what you need to know about Spravato
An antidepressant containing a form of the drug ketamine has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making it much cheaper for the estimated 30,000 Australians with treatment-resistant depression. This is when a patient has tried multiple forms of treatment for major depression – usually at least two antidepressant medications – without any improvement | Conversation, Australia