DrugWise Daily |
8th July 2026 |
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UK news
Addiction in the UK
A new report estimates that around 1.1 million people across the UK are currently addicted to alcohol and/or illegal drugs, with drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales reaching their highest level on record. The report, a systematic review of largely publicly available evidence with ad hoc insights from Forward Trust’s operational delivery and practice, found there is no precise data on the true scale of addiction in the UK. But the picture created from existing data shows the problem is widespread | Forward Trust and Crest Advisory, UK
Addiction in the UK report - Executive Summary by our CEO Mike Trace
Mike Trace, CEO of The Forward Trust, provides an insightful Executive Summary for latest report, Addiction in the UK | Forward Trust, UK
Researchers identify opioids with highest risk of respiratory depression
University of Manchester researchers have identified which opioids are most likely to be associated with respiratory depression, in a major new study. Fentanyl, combination opioid treatments, oxycodone and morphine are associated with higher risks compared to codeine among patients treated for non-cancer pain | University of Manchester, UK
Evaluation of the National Drug Deaths Mission:
International review-level evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different treatment and support modalities
This publication presents the findings from two studies, which were aimed at exploring to what extent National Mission funding has been allocated to effective and cost-effective treatment and support. They are both part of the Public Health Scotland evaluation of the Scottish Government's National Drug Deaths Mission | PHS, UK
National report highlights progress and next steps for MAT Standards
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has today published the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards Implementation Benchmarking Report 2025–26. This report marks the end of the national mission for drug deaths and brings together progress across the five-year MAT programme. It assesses implementation of the 10 MAT standards across all 30 Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in Scotland, using process, numerical and experiential evidence | PHS, UK
Why are one in three Brits drinking less alcohol in 2026?
New YouGov Profiles data shows that while most Britons who drink say their alcohol consumption is unchanged from a year ago (58%), one in three (33%) say they have reduced their intake in comparison | YouGov, UK
'We escaped alcoholism - now we're helping others'
Recovering alcoholic Andrew Griffiths will never forget the date that changed everything: 3 January 2005. It's the day he stopped drinking after alcohol addiction left him feeling like he had reached breaking point. Now, two decades later, he spends his time helping others find the same support that, he says, saved his life | BBC, UK
Open Houses: Step inside. See the difference
Open Houses is a national campaign in England to improve access to residential treatment services. We are extending an invitation to visit rehab centres and see recovery in action. It’s an opportunity for commissioners, clinicians, policymakers, partner organisations and anyone else with an interest to meet those who live and work in rehab, and understand the role it plays in supporting recovery, families and communities | Open Houses, UK
Starmer and Burnham at odds over football fans drinking in stands
Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham appear to be at odds over whether football fans should be allowed to drink alcohol in the stands. In a social media video over the weekend, prime minister-in-waiting Mr Burnham suggested a ban on football fans drinking alcohol in the stands is “wrong” | Independent, UK
Developing smoking-attributable fractions (SAFs) for COVID-19
Methodology describing how smoking-attributable fractions (SAFs) for COVID-19 were developed to update indicators of smoking-attributable mortality and hospital admissions in England | OHID, UK
Our Founder, Helena Conibear is walking the County Line of Dorset to raise awareness of County Lines
Raising funds for Dorset youth charities that provide safe spaces, opportunity, skills, hope, awareness and support to young people | Talk About Trust, UK
Smuggler accepts most of his drugs mules 'will get caught'
Drugs gangs are flooding the north of England with cheap cannabis grown overseas and sold to mimic slickly marketed, legal marijuana from the United States, a BBC investigation has learned | BBC, UK
Teenager murdered over £20 drug debt, court hears
Joshua Ingram, from Newhaven in East Sussex, was stabbed to death at Seaford railway station on 10 September, 2025 | BBC, UK
International news
Heroin-assisted treatment improves patients' health along with their quality of life
At two clinics in Oslo and Bergen, a small group of patients have been given a new treatment option for opioid addiction. Twice daily, they receive pharmaceutical heroin as medication, administered under close supervision and monitoring by health personnel | Medical Xpress, USA
Injectable opioid treatment sees rapid growth across the United States
There was a substantial increase in recent years in the use of a form of the primary medication to treat opioid use disorder, according to a Rutgers Health study. Researchers also noted sharp differences in growth trends across the United States | News Medical, USA
Spanish Authorities Confiscate a Record Amount of Ecstasy
Spanish and Dutch authorities have detained 15 suspects and seized nearly a metric ton of MDMA in what officials called the largest bust of the synthetic drug in European history | OCCRP, USA
SAMHSA Rolls Out Funds for OUD Meds, Says That’s Not Harm Reduction
On July 6, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced approximately $281.25 million in funding for 15 federal grant programs, much of it focused on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and community overdose prevention | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
What are peptides? And why am I hearing so much about them?
Peptide may not yet be the 2026 Oxford Word of the Year, but it must surely be in the running. From your friendly neighbourhood influencer, to the gym bros, injectable peptides have been all over social media and are now making mainstream news when things go horribly wrong | Conversation, Australia