DrugWise Daily |
14th May 2026 |
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UK news
Drug use in ethnic minority groups: a review and recommendations
This report reviews drug use in ethnic minority groups and outlines recommendations for further data collection | ACMD, UK
Genetic link between cannabis use and psychosis could help to identify those most at risk
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London has highlighted the distinct and shared molecular pathways linking cannabis use disorder (CUD) and psychosis, offering the potential for identifying those at risk, as well as targeted interventions for cannabis-related psychosis | Medical Xpress, UK
After a hard-fought victory to legalise medical cannabis in the UK, why is it still so hard to access?
Two mothers fought British bureaucracy to obtain lifesaving cannabis medicines for their children. But most patients are having to go private – at huge cost | Guardian, UK
Framing addiction as a compulsive brain disease lowers readiness to change addictive behavior in alcohol consumers, in two exploratory experiments
[Open access] In two studies, heavy/regularly drinking university students in England who were randomly allocated to read scientific passages describing addiction as a brain disease were less willing to reduce their drinking than students allocated to quotes portraying addiction as a value-based choice. The results were "consistent in demonstrating a [relative] harmful effect of framing addiction as a brain disease" | Addiction Research Theory, UK
Greenspace programs and recovery from substance use and mental health challenges: evaluating nature-based interventions through the lens of recovery capital
[Open access] Interviews with staff and users suggest that "Connecting to nature through greenspace programs helped participants reflect on life meaning and purpose." | DEPP, UK
Nested family support: the axial role of support workers for families in which a parent is in treatment for substance misuse
[Open access] In-depth exploration of a specialist service in England aiming to support the whole family of a parent in substance use treatment. Key finding is that "supporting the support worker is vital to the [service's] successful operation". | Journal Addictive Diseases, UK
Smokers in Yorkshire offered free digital quitting support
As part of the new Turn the Corner campaign, the Centre of Excellence, in conjunction with Yorkshire Cancer Research and all 15 local authorities across North Yorkshire and the Humber, is offering a package of tools to support quitting | York Press, UK
Alcohol: Drinking in Unlicensed Public Spaces
Mr Martin asked the Minister of Justice to outline why provisions to prevent drinking alcohol in unlicensed public spaces were not included in either of her Bills currently passing through the Assembly | They work for you, UK
The new Justice Ministerial line-up
MoJ Ministerial Team updated 13 May 2026 | Russell Webster, UK
Celebrating National Staff Network Day 2026: The Forward Trust Releases Annual ERG Impact Report
Wednesday 11th May marked National Staff Network Day, and here at The Forward Trust, we are celebrating the incredible work of our brilliant staff networks by releasing our annual Employee Resource Group (ERG) Impact Report. Our ERGs offer a unique space for colleagues to discuss different lived experiences, provide mutual support and insight into unseen barriers | Forward Trust, UK
Complaint upheld against Cactus Jack’s alcoholic schnapps products
A complaint against Fortitude Spirit’s Cactus Jack’s alcoholic schnapps products has been upheld by the alcohol industry’s Independent Complaints Panel (ICP) | Portman Group, UK
High street 'no go area as drug incidents surge'
A seaside town in Devon is calling for help amid rising crime and anti-social behaviour, saying its high street is now seen as a "no go" area for some | BBC, UK
International news
Drug addiction counsellor sentenced in Matthew Perry's overdose death
A man involved in the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry has been sentenced to two years in prison, US media report | BBC, UK
EUDA webinar: Ketamine in Europe
27 May 2026. Online. This webinar aims to provide insights into the European ketamine market and will expand on health-related harms caused by non-medical ketamine use | EUDA, Portugal
Nordic Mobilization on Human Rights and Drug Policy: All Presentations on Video
As civic space shrinks and organized crime grows, the Nordic countries are at a crossroads. This conference brought together activists, researchers, policymakers, and people who use drugs to discuss solutions rooted in Nordic values. Watch all presentations filmed by Drugreporter here | Drug Reporter, Hungary
US overdose deaths fell again in 2025, but some worry about policy and drug supply changes
It was the third straight annual drop, making it the longest decline in decades, according to federal data released Wednesday. The 2025 total is about the same as the tally in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic | Medical Xpress, USA
Mirtazapine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder
After testing the antidepressant mirtazapine against a placebo researchers said: "The clinical significance of these findings lies in identifying a safe and cheap generic medication that can be prescribed to help people reduce methamphetamine use." On the downside were greater drop-out and side effects | JAMA Psychiatry, USA
Teen depression linked with higher substance use rates
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adolescents experienced depression between 2021 and 2023, and those teens were significantly more likely to use substances such as alcohol, marijuana and opioids, according to a new national study | Medical Xpress, USA
Magnetic brain stimulation cuts alcohol cravings in 200-person addiction trial
A storyteller with a passion for popular education. Head of one of Linköping University's strongest research environments. And a physician. Markus Heilig researches the biology of the brain in addiction, and always considers the whole person | Medical Xpress, USA
No FDA permission, no problem: New flavored vape policy worries experts
Some products can now stay on market without FDA authorization | STAT News, USA
Ten Years After Motherisk, Parents Who Use Drugs Still Punished
It’s been 10 years since Canadians learned that a trusted children’s hospital had been supplying child welfare agencies and courts with junk science that was used to tear families apart—including my own | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Cannabis: it’s medicine if you’re rich enough – a crime if you’re not
In Britain, whether cannabis is treated as medicine or a crime may depend less on medical need than on the ability to pay. In 2018, the UK government changed drug policy, allowing specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products | Conversation, UK
What does the latest evidence tell us about the impact of vaping during pregnancy?
In this blog, Professor Linda Bauld, Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh and Co-Chair of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group summarises the current evidence on the impact of vaping during pregnancy and what health professionals should keep in mind when advising pregnant women | ASH blog, UK
Vape and Tobacco Free Zones Consultation
The consultation document opens with the case for change, that “people deserve to live in a fairer UK, where everyone lives well for longer.” We agree with this statement. We do not agree that treating reduced risk products – vapes and heated tobacco products -in the same way as cigarette smoking will achieve this vision | Drug Science, UK