DrugWise Daily |
17th April 2026 |
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UK news
Substance-general and substance-specific influences on adolescent vaping, smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use: context, inequalities, and putative determinants
[Open access] Using substances before the age of 15 is a key antecedent of substance use treatment later in life. Since the turn of the 21st century, adolescents' lives have changed considerably, presenting new risk and protective factors. Identifying factors and contexts associated with use of specific substances among contemporary adolescents is therefore a key public health priority | IJDP, UK
Associations between financial hardship and alcohol reduction attempts in the context of a cost-of-living crisis and alcohol tax reforms: a population study in Great Britain, 2023–25
[Open access] The same research team had previously found that "cost is an increasingly important motive for alcohol reduction attempts among risky drinkers". This new analysis asks whether the trend has been most marked among people experiencing financial hardship | IJDP, UK
Association between gabapentinoid treatment, concurrent use with opioid or benzodiazepine and the risk of drug poisoning: A self-controlled case series study
[Open access] Consumption of gabapentinoids has increased worldwide in recent years, and the association between its use and drug poisoning is of public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the association between gabapentinoid treatment and the risk of drug poisoning PLOS Medicine, UK
'It led me to a very dark place': Former ketamine user warns of its dangers
Former ketamine users from Dorset have spoken of the destructive effects of the drug, as figures show the number of people seeking help has risen sharply in recent years | ITV, UK
Jimmy White: I have no regrets about taking cocaine
The snooker legend on drink, drugs and his 'rock and roll' pal | The i Paper, UK
Branding the Game: Alcohol Sponsorship, Sport, and Young People
Monday 18 May • 12:45 - 14 GMT+1. Online. Drawing on an extensive programme of research, Dr Purves will explore how alcohol companies strategically embed their brands within sport to normalise and glamorise drinking - particularly among younger audiences | SHAAP, UK
International news
The first commercially successful electronic cigarette - audio
In the summer of 2003, pharmacist Hon Lik was one of millions of smokers in China. He was coughing a lot and having problems with his breathing and wondered if he could make an alternative cigarette. After various experiments, he created a vape prototype. It went on sale in May 2004 and was instantly a hit - selling 100,000 in China | BBC Sounds, UK
Doubts and disconnection: Police reflections on drug decriminalization in British Columbia in the first year of implementation
[Open access] Aiming for harm reduction, in 2023 the Canadian province of British Columbia decriminalised possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. Eight to 14 months later, police were concerned that "without large-scale and coordinated investment in health and social services, the policy aims of decriminalization were unlikely to be achieved in practice" | IJDP, UK
Strong Military Budget for Europe, but Not at the Cost of Community Health and Safety – An Interview with Ganna Dovbakh
With the new EU drug strategy now adopted, key questions remain about its direction and implementation—especially the balance between public health, human rights, and security. We spoke with Anna Dovbakh, Chair of the Civil Society Forum on Drugs, about what the strategy means in practice and the role of civil society moving forward | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Study finds widening racial and gender inequities in polysubstance overdose deaths
U.S. overdose deaths involving polysubstance use—particularly opioids combined with stimulants—have risen sharply in recent years, with disproportionate increases among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations, especially men | Medical Xpress, USA
Trump Reportedly About to Issue Executive Order on Ibogaine Research
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to issue an executive order as soon as this week signaling the administration’s willingness to explore the therapeutic benefits and safety of the psychedelic substance ibogaine | Filter Magazine, USA
Will the CDC Finally Abandon the Damaging Term “EVALI”?
Health economist Michael Pesko is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a question it should have answered years ago: Why is the agency still using a deeply misleading name for a health condition? | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
The Guardian view on drugs in prisons: the chief inspector has sounded the alarm – ministers must act
The impunity with which organised crime groups operate in jails is scandalous. Blocking drones should be just the start | Guardian, UK
ASH comment on tobacco industry funding for Keep Britain Tidy
Last week, the Times reported that the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) has received at least £10 million from the Tobacco Manufacturers Association (TMA) via a 'middleman', CleanStreets CIC. This caused KBT’s annual income to more than triple in 2022/23 | ASH blog, UK
The Ceasefire is Over: Documentation of a Mass Overdose Event on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES)
This blog is a witness account of March 24th, 2026—documenting a mass community overdose whilst data collecting in the area. It contains descriptions that may be upsetting to some readers. Please read with care | DRNS blog, UK
Why the future of marijuana legalization remains hazy despite high public support
Thousands of Americans will soon gather to celebrate April 20 – or “4/20” – the most important day of the year for cannabis enthusiasts. But this year, a cloud of uncertainty will hang over these celebrations. After years of success, the movement to legalize recreational and medical cannabis has stalled | Conversation, USA
Cannabis sales and use are high in Michigan – but federal law means research lags behind
Have you been to a licensed cannabis dispensary lately? My team and I often visit them in the Greater Lansing area to invite cannabis users to participate in our studies. As soon as we walk in, we are met with a dazzling array of products: high-potency vape cartridges, gourmet gummies, premium marijuana flowers and more | Conversation, USA