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In date order, Monday to Friday
Digital transformation of the harm reduction sector—“Here4UScotland” a case study of a virtual supervised consumption
[Open access] This study explores the potential of digital technologies in reducing drug-related deaths through virtual supervised drug consumption. It assesses barriers, enablers, and strategies for adopting a remote supervision service app, Here4UScotland, fostering user engagement and ownership | Digital Health, UK
New research highlights BMI as risk factor in drug-related deaths
The NHS Addictions Provider Alliance spoke with Martin Smith, Recovery Lead at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, about a study exploring the link between body mass index (BMI) and mortality among people using drugs. Contrary to common assumptions, the research found that the majority of overdose deaths occurred in people with a high BMI, often alongside co-morbidities such as COPD, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and sleep apnoea. Low BMI was more associated with deaths from infections or chronic conditions | NHS APA, UK
Ex-British army chief calls on ministers to back MDMA-assisted therapy for veteran
Nick Carter says easing controls on MDMA will allow drug to be used as alternative treatment for those with PTSD | Guardian, UK
I’ve never taken drugs or drunk alcohol, says Zack Polanski
Green party leader wants to legalise all drugs, regulate their use and not be ‘the fun police’ | Guardian, UK
Drug and alcohol treatment charities keep contract to support thousands of people in North Lincolnshire, with £15m+ investment over next seven years
WithYou and the Scunthorpe Recovery Service (provided by Double Impact) have been awarded a contract by North Lincolnshire Council to continue providing drug and alcohol treatment services, with more than £15m to be invested into saving lives across the region | WithYou, UK
EU takes action to control three harmful new drugs
New EU legal measures, which entered into force this month, will see three harmful new psychoactive substances (NPS) brought under control across the EU. The substances — all new synthetic cathinones — are: 2-methylmethcathinone (2-MMC), 4-bromomethcathinone (4-BMC) and N-ethylnorpentedrone (NEP). These are now classified as controlled ‘drugs’ under EU law | EUDA, Portugal
RFK Jr announces $100m in grants to address homelessness and substance use
Kennedy’s pilot program to offer funding for long-term recovery after Trump signed order related to addiction | Guardian, UK
Minimum alcohol price in Wales to rise by 30%
Senedd members have backed Welsh government proposals to increase the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in Wales from 50p to 65p from October | BBC, UK
Neurodiversity Staff Toolkit (PDF)
By adapting our services we have helped facilitate some understanding of the different ways we all think and process information and start changing our practice accordingly. This all helps to make recovery more achievable for people who are neurodivergent, improving their experience of prison and assisting them with their goals for the future. This toolkit is a way of capturing this learning and providing a point of reference for other providers wanting to make sure their services are as assessable as possible | Change Grow Live, UK
The Blue Light Approach: updated guidance for working with entrenched alcohol dependency
A practical, system-focused guide for practitioners, grounded in evidence and frontline experience, with a focus on safety, dignity and persistence | Alcohol Change UK, UK
New members appointed to ACMD
Professor Steve Allsop and Professor Keith Humphreys, who were appointed on 1 February 2026, are the latest experts to join the ACMD, which provides advice and makes recommendations to the government on the harms caused by drugs | ACMD, UK
Drug Alert: Xylazine Detected In Slough Heroin Supply
The Surrey Substance User Partnership has shared that recent testing of heroin samples from people who use substances in Slough has confirmed the presence of Xylazine and Fentanyl in the local supply. This is an extremely dangerous combination that carries a high risk of overdose and serious harm | Forward Trust, UK
The costs of tackling drug harms in prisons
In April 2025, approximately 40,000 people in prisons in England and Wales (50%) had an identified drug problem. Misuse of illicit drugs by people in prison creates or exacerbates risks to their health, well-being and personal safety. This report focuses on how the prison and health services are using public funds to tackle drug harms in prisons | NAO, UK
Government response: review of the evidence on the use and harms of carisoprodol
Letter from Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime, to the ACMD outlining their response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs review of the evidence on the use and harms of carisoprodol | ACMD, UK
Press release: Three in four cancer patients to survive long term under new plan
Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the government’s landmark new National Cancer Plan | DHSC, NHS England, UK
Four in ten cancer cases could be prevented globally
Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study examines 30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation – and for the first time – nine cancer-causing infections | WHO, Switzerland
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) Alert: New xylazine-type drug – medetomidine
Xylazine-type drugs, such as xylazine and medetomidine, are non-opioid tranquilisers. Many are used as painkillers and sedatives in veterinary medicine. They are central nervous system depressants that reduce breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Other adverse effects include memory loss, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, loss of coordination, sudden collapse and loss of consciousness. In Scotland, detections of xylazine increased and peaked during 2024, but have since decreased following its legal control as a class C drug. More recently, a new xylazine-type drug called medetomidine has been detected in Scotland. This alert provides medetomidine-specific information and data, alongside background information on xylazine-type drugs and their associated harms | Public Health Scotland, UK
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) Alert: New benzodiazepines in Scotland
The term ‘street benzos’ refers to benzodiazepines that are produced illegally or are not available as prescribed medicines in the UK. Between 2022 and 2024, bromazolam was the most commonly detected substance in street benzos in Scotland. Recent data show a notable shift in the market. Bromazolam detections have decreased, while detections of new benzodiazepines have increased. Further new substances are likely to emerge through 2026 as the market continues to adapt. The changing nature of street benzos means type, potency and duration vary widely between tablets and batches, increasing the risk of overdose| Public Health Scotland, UK
Health body issues warning over new sedative drugs found in Scotland
New and dangerous sedative drugs have been found in Scotland, increasing potential risks to users, the country's health protection agency has warned. Public Health Scotland (PHS) said illicit drug supply is currently highly toxic and unpredictable, following a spate of serious incidents last year, including the death of a man in Glasgow last September | BBC, UK
Substance misuse treatment in secure settings: 2024 to 2025
Statistics for alcohol and drug misuse treatment in prisons and other secure settings from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) | OHID, UK
Waythrough and Aquarius to merge in April 2026
We are pleased to announce that Aquarius will fully merge into Waythrough on 1 April 2026. Aquarius is a subsidiary of Waythrough, and this next step strengthens our shared mission to support people affected by alcohol, drugs, and gambling across England | Waythrough, UK
‘Saving Lives, Together’ campaign to expand life-saving health services
WithYou in Wigan and Leigh and the Shropshire Recovery Partnership have launched a campaign to save lives through key health services, including blood-borne virus testing, health screenings, and provision of overdose-reversal drug naloxone. Building on the services’ successes micro-eliminating hepatitis C ahead of Government targets, the ‘Saving Lives, Together’ campaign brings together all existing harm reduction work - including hep C testing, needle and syringe services, health screenings, and naloxone provision - under one co-ordinated approach | WithYou, UK
Study reveals insidious impact of alcohol marketing on young people
The research reveals that young people aged 11 to 17 are unable to distinguish between non-alcoholic products and traditional alcoholic beverages when these are promoted through sports sponsorship | University of Stirling, UK