DrugWise Daily |
21st August 2026 |
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UK news
Hundreds killed or injured by drug drivers
Twenty people have been killed and 180 seriously injured in West Yorkshire in the past five years because of drug driving, according to new figures. The data shared by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) also revealed there had been more than 800 drug driving arrests in the last 12 months alone | BBC, UK
Will mandatory alcohol labels make a difference?
With the UK Government’s ten-year health plan promising new alcohol labelling standards, Fiona Hughes examines the current system and whether clearer labels could help reduce alcohol-related harm | SSA, UK
ACMD members' register of interests
Updated the register of interests for Dr Caroline Copeland and Professor Graeme Henderson | ACMD, UK
Medicinal cannabis prescriptions rise by 35% - [Jersey]
Doctors prescribed nearly 20,000 more medicinal cannabis products last year than the year before, a freedom of information request (FOI) has found | BBC, UK
Guernsey and Alderney to introduce new tax on vape liquids from November
A new vape tax will be brought in across Guernsey and Alderney later this year, the States has confirmed. It expects to introduce an extra duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid from Monday 9 November | ITV, UK
Raids target heroin and crack cocaine supply
Six men have been arrested in drugs raids which aimed to target the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in Salford. About 50 police officers were involved in the operation, which took place at five addresses in the Pendlebury and Clifton areas of the city at 0530 BST | BBC, UK
Gang paid for extra baggage to smuggle 460kg of drugs
A gang of drug smugglers paid extra baggage charges as they attempted to smuggle 22 suitcases packed with cannabis from Thailand to Birmingham | BBC, UK
International news
Fentanyl awareness lessons now being taught in schools in new push to halt overdoses
High school students across the state will be educated on the dangers of fentanyl in eight 50-minute sessions | Independent, UK
Podcast: No/lo alcohol products - what role do they play in reducing alcohol harm?
Alcohol-related harm remains a persistent public health crisis in Ireland, with four lives lost to consumption daily. Although the state enacted the Public Health Alcohol Act to curb these impacts, the rapid rise of zero and low-alcohol products introduces critical questions regarding moderation versus industry marketing tactics. This discussion explores whether these drinks offer a genuine health solution or act as surrogate advertising for parent alcohol brands | Alcohol Action Ireland, Ireland
International Overdose Awareness Day - 25 Years On. Still Needed
Every August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) brings a global community together to take action on overdose. Hold an event, spread the message, take action today. Hold an event this International Overdose Awareness Day. Bring people together – whether it’s in your town, with friends, or at work – to spark change and learn about overdose prevention. Every conversation matters | Penington Institute, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
What cannabis use really tells us about university students’ eating habits
Cannabis has a reputation for making people hungry. Popular culture has long joked about the “munchies,” and many people assume that students who use cannabis naturally have poorer diets than those who don’t. Our latest research suggests the story is more complicated | Conversation, Canada
New research shows how psychedelics reorganise the patterns in your brain
One participant described “melding with the MRI machine, floor, walls and air”. Another described “losing all sense of self”, becoming at one with their surroundings. Half the participants in our study reported having one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives | Conversation, Australia