DrugWise Daily |
6th February 2026 |
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UK news
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
Why are we being asked about medicinal cannabis? [Isle of Man]
Public Health Isle of Man wants to understand the scale of its use and how it is being used following change to legislation, as well as hearing people's attitudes towards illicit drugs and alcohol | BBC, UK
Expanding Needle and Syringe Provision (NSP) in the Community: How Hepatitis C Trust Peers Are Making a Difference
The Hepatitis C Trust have generously offered to deliver NSP to people in the community through their peers and Inclusion’s community drug and alcohol treatment services (part of Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) were keen to take them up on their offer | Hep CU Later, UK
Have your say on ketamine and UK drug policy! - Survey
We’re inviting people in the UK aged 16 and over to share their views on the classification of ketamine. This short online survey takes around 15 minutes, and your responses will remain anonymous. Your input will help researchers understand public perceptions of ketamine and could contribute to shaping future drug policy in the UK. As a thank you, you can opt in for a chance to win a £300 Amazon voucher. Take part now and make your voice heard | University of Exeter, UK
Mapping public sector readiness, risk and resilience 2025/26 - survey
If you haven’t had a chance yet, the survey will be closing in the next couple of weeks. It takes around five minutes and looks at how public and social sector organisations are handling financial pressure, risk, digital change and workforce challenges. Taking part now means your views will be included in the final analysis. You’ll also receive an early look at the findings report, due to be published in Q1 2026, showing how your experience compares with peers across the sector | Surveys in Public Sector, UK
Pupils take charge of school's war on vaping
Vape detectors are a common sight these days at Granville Academy. For this comprehensive in Swadlincote, a semi-rural part of Derbyshire, the devices are one of the main tools teachers are using to combat vaping among students | BBC, UK
Two arrested after suspected pink cocaine seized
Two men have been arrested after patrolling police officers found large amounts of what is believed to be pink cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and ketamine | BBC, UK
Police raid on derelict high school finds £7.1m cannabis farm
The force said officers discovered the "sophisticated" operation while executing a warrant at the former Wick High School last week | BBC, UK
International news
‘People are turning themselves into lab rats’: the injectable peptides craze sweeping the US
Though lab-made peptides are touted as a cure-all, they are not FDA-regulated and pose serious risks, experts warn | Guardian, UK
Study identifies key predictors for chronic opioid use following surgery
For many Americans, a routine surgical procedure serves as their first introduction to opioid pain medication. While most stop using these drugs as they heal, a considerable number of "opioid-naïve" patients transition into new persistent opioid use (NPOU)—continuing use long after the typical recovery period | Medical Xpress, USA
Fentanyl is changing how doctors treat opioid use disorder
For years, buprenorphine—one of the primary medications used to treat opioid use disorder—has been a critical bridge to recovery, helping to reduce illicit drug use and overdose deaths. But with the changing landscape of the illicit drug market, particularly the rise of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, health care providers have found that traditional treatment protocols aren't as effective as they used to be | Medical Xpress, USA
Prevalence of Illicit Drug Detection in 5 US Cities Among Out-of-Treatment People Who Inject Drugs
In this cross-sectional study of 444 people who inject drugs, fentanyl was detected among 93%, xylazine among 53%, polysubstance drugs among 95%, and amphetamine among 67%; unhoused and recently incarcerated individuals had higher prevalence of cocaine and stimulant detection, respectively. Amphetamine prevalence increased over time in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia had the highest prevalence of xylazine detection | JAMA Network Open, USA
Ten Years After UNGASS, a Resurgent Global Drug War
Adecade ago, the United Nations General Assembly held a Special Session on drugs (UNGASS) that was hailed in some quarters as a turning point for international drug policy. Community organizations and people who use drugs were part of the process, and the outcome document finally brought human rights and public health narratives to the conversation. Yet that same document still clung to the objective of a “society free from drug abuse.” | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Should Young People drink more?
The broad media narrative goes that younger generations have, en masse, abandoned the lifestyles enjoyed by their parents in favour of something more sober and solitary, with ripples including a male loneliness epidemic and the winnowing of UK pub and nightclub culture. Recent survey data has found abstinence rising in young adults while over a quarter of clubs have closed since Covid | What are you on? | David Hillier
The Dry January® challenge: Separating fact from fiction
In 2026, 17.5 million people across the UK plan to take a month off alcohol in January, aiming to kick off the year on a happier, healthier note. Top motivations include saving money, improving health and fitness, and boosting mental health and wellbeing. So, do they stand to benefit? Independent evidence says yes – and even more so with the right support | IAS blog, UK