DrugWise Daily |
13th March 2026 |
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UK news
Rise in children and teenagers being sold vapes illegally in shops, ITV News investigation finds - video
Trading Standards have warned fines for shops selling to under-18s are not tough enough and are even factored into business costs | ITV, UK
Ketamine - EDM (Early Day Motion)2943: tabled on 11 March 2026
Motion text: That this House notes with concern the increased problematic use of ketamine, particularly among young people; further notes that its severe impacts can include cognitive impairment, psychological difficulties and physical damage to the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract, leading to dependency and contributing to deaths; recognises that those affected may require incontinence pads or surgery; pays tribute to those providing peer-support in friendly, safe groups free from stigma... | UK Parliament, UK
“Who the hell is upstream pushing them all in?” Reclaiming public health’s defining metaphor to counter the commercial determinants of health
[Open access] Public health policy and practice are often described by means of a metaphor that depicts interventions as “upstream” efforts to prevent people from falling into a river, from which they must be rescued “downstream” by overwhelmed healthcare services | PLOS Public Health, UK
The chance to make a difference
What do you do when a patient discloses alcohol misuse? There's definitely no quick fix, but Rachel Phillips was determined that her fellow GPs had access to the best possible resources | The Doctor, UK
Adults in treatment for ketamine addiction soars 250 per cent, Suffolk County Council report shows
According to the report, there are 183 adults in treatment in Suffolk due to ketamine use, a 251 per cent increase since 2022 | Suffolk News, UK
Reducing Overdose and Drug Deaths in People Facing Homelessness and Other Disadvantages Webinar - video
Recording of the webinar in collaboration with the Dr Richard Lowrie from the Centre for Homelessness and Inclusion Health. Reducing overdose and drug deaths in people facing homelessness and other disadvantages: breaking news from a randomised controlled trial involving NHS clinicians and third sector homeless workers on outreach | DRNS, UK
Alcohol industry’s Independent Complaints Panel welcomes new appointments
Following a rigorous and highly competitive recruitment process, Karen Betts OBE, Matt Barwell and Richard Schofield have been appointed to the Panel and have attended their first meeting | Portman Group, UK
Alcoholic Drinks: Licensing
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she will take to support a) local newspapers and b) digitally excluded adults in the context of the proposed removal of the legal requirement for alcohol licensing notices | They work for you, UK
Alcoholic Drinks: Labelling
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted research into the behavioural response of the public if alcohol labelling displayed the calorie, sugar and energy contents on the same basis as all other drinks; and, if so, when the research will be completed and published | They work for you, UK
Town mural to feature in TV stop smoking campaign
Turn The Corner, which shows a "movement from dark to light", has been created over five days on Castle Street by a local artist who goes by the name of Stake Art | BBC, UK
More than 200 arrested in county lines drug raids
More than 200 suspects have been arrested as police carried out a series of raids in an operation targeting county lines drugs networks | BBC, UK
Cannabis worth £2m found in suburban house
Cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £2m has been seized at a house in Leeds, along with more than £30,000 in cash and 10 high-value vehicles, police said | BBC, UK
International news
What anabolic–androgenic steroids reveal about the limits of current harm reduction models
Harm reduction has largely been shaped by responses to psychoactive drug use where the most urgent harms are acute. These models focus on overdose, blood-borne viruses, and rapid-onset toxicity related harms. When applied wholesale to anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS), they obscure the distinctive pharmacology, consumer typologies, and slow-developing physiological risks that define people who use AAS | Addiction, UK
HSE warns of dangers of highly potent 'pink cocaine' ahead of St Patrick's Day
The HSE’s emerging drug trends chief Nicki Killeen said that drugs are appearing on the market in Ireland that are multiple times stronger than a “normal dose”, and that it’s more important than ever that people are aware of the risks | Journal, Ireland
EUDA webinar: International drug checking day
30 Mar 2026. Online. Taking place on the eve of International Drug Checking Day, this webinar offers a timely opportunity to highlight the role drug-checking services play across three domains: harm reduction, drug market monitoring and public health alerts. The session will demonstrate the benefits of drug checking for a variety of stakeholders, including consumers, public health authorities and monitoring bodies | EUDA, Portugal
Factors associated with considering switching to nicotine pouches among US adults who smoke
Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) have gained popularity in recent years and are more popular among people who smoke. As ONPs are less harmful than cigarettes, understanding what factors are associated with considering switching to ONPs is critical. This study aims to examine the factors associated with consideration of switching from smoking to ONPs among US adults who smoke | DADR, USA
Teens and young adults with ADHD and substance use disorder face treatment gap
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting 12%–13% of adolescents in the United States, according to some studies. The pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity can interfere with daily life, raising problems at home, work or school. At the same time, individuals diagnosed with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing substance-use disorder. But treating the combination of these two conditions can be complicated | Medical Xpress, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Chief Exec's Blog on Scottish Government's new Strategic Plan "Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery"
'Why do so many people die in Scotland of drug and alcohol related issues?' As the Chief Executive of a charity working in Scotland to support people affected by drug and alcohol issues, it’s a question I often get asked. The answer of course is complex – the answer to many of the questions worth asking in health and social care policy usually are. But a mix of social factors and a shift in the drugs people are using, is at the root of it | Phoenix Futures blog, UK
Working Together to Tackle Stigma: Welcoming Jon Shorrock to the Anti-Stigma Network
We’re delighted to welcome Jon Shorrock to the Anti-Stigma Network Steering Committee. With more than 30 years’ experience across drug and alcohol services, Jon has been a passionate advocate for challenging stigma and improving outcomes for people who use drugs and alcohol. In this short blog, Jon reflects on his journey through the sector, the many ways stigma continues to shape people’s experiences, and why collective action across systems is essential if we are to create meaningful change | AntiStigma Network, UK
Doubling Down on Recovery: How Scotland Transformed Access to Residential Rehab
When I wrote my first SHAAP blog on residential rehabilitation (RR) in Scotland – five years ago – we were just starting a long‑overdue journey. At that time the data painted a grim picture: postcode lotteries, missing pathways, and stark access inequalities. Back then, to be sure of getting to RR, you had to be rich, insured or just plain lucky. Fast-forward to today: we’ve made real progress, but there’s still work to do. Let’s take a quick look at where we began, what’s improved, and where the next steps lie | SHAAP blog, UK
What problem would a vaping ban solve?
The government is wasting no time in using the Henry VIII powers it granted itself in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Although that Bill has not yet become law, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is already consulting on a vaping ban that the Bill will allow the government to pass using secondary legislation. The proposals are far more extensive than many people realise | IEA blog, UK
Why is smoking so addictive – and what are the best ways to give up?
That first cigarette can lead to a lifetime of dependency, as well as cancer, strokes, heart attacks … Here’s why smokers crave their nicotine hit – and how they can fight back | Guardian, UK