DrugWise Daily |
20th February 2026 |
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UK news
Shooting Up: infections among people who inject drugs in the UK
This report describes the extent of infections and injecting-related harms among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the United Kingdom. It has been updated in the last few days with amended text referring to HIV prevalence in Scotland in data tables (Table 3c) and slide set (slide 14) for data to end of 2021 | UKHSA, UK
Press release - New technology and medicines to combat drug and alcohol addiction
Innovators across the UK are being offered £20 million in grants for technology designed to reduce harm and death from drug and alcohol addiction. This press release from a few days ago has been updated by adding background information on the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme | Department of Health and Social Care and Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, UK
Should alcohol minimum pricing be introduced in NI?
The health minister has said time is "quite rapidly" running out for the executive to introduce alcohol minimum pricing in Northern Ireland | BBC, UK
New research shows that spending less on tobacco, gambling and sweets is good for the UK economy
A new study from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has found that public health policies which reduce spending on harmful products can actually provide a significant boost to UK jobs and the wider economy | SARG, UK
Government proposes ban on smoking 'accessory' as part of landmark bill
If approved, the UK would become the first country in the world to ban the harmful product | Manchester Evening News, UK
New alcohol and drug support service launches for Bolton community
Better Days Bolton is a new service to reduce health inequalities by helping people who experience challenges with alcohol and other drugs across Bolton | Waythrough, UK
Reducing Overdose and Drug Deaths in People Facing Homelessness
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 from 11 am to 12 pm GMT. Online.Reducing overdose and drug deaths in people facing homelessness and other disadvantages: breaking news from a randomised controlled trial involving NHS clinicians and third sector homeless workers on outreach | DRNS, UK
Fred Yates Prize for Early Career Researchers
The SSA is now accepting applications from members and associates for the 2026 Fred Yates Prize for Early Career Researchers. This is awarded annually to an early career researcher for their significant and specific contributions to the field of addiction. Apply by 17:00 GMT on 28 February 2026 | SSA, UK
Prisoner died after vape caused cell fire
A prisoner died after a vaping device caught fire in her cell, an inquest has been told | BBC, UK
International news
The Drugs Wheel Game
The game has recently been revised, with new gameplay by Daphne Formigoni and Professor Marcelo Tadeu Marin from the Academic League for Research and Teaching on Alcohol and other Drugs (PEnsAD) and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of São Paulo State University in Araraquara, Brazil | Mark Adley, UK
144. On Drugs: Philosophy, Consciousness and Sobriety with Justin Smith-Ruiu - podcast
In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Smith-Ruiu, a philosopher at Université Paris Cité and the author of On Drugs. He discusses his motivations behind the book, rooted in his early experiences with psychedelics and the many cultural roles he has seen them play across different contexts. As the conversation unfolds, Smith-Ruiu reflects on his decision to quit drinking in favor of psychedelics and the profound positive changes that choice has brought to his life | Drug Science, UK
Wastewater testing reveals high levels of cocaine in Nantucket, Massachusetts
Up to three times national average of metabolite produced by human use of drug was found in town’s wastewater | Guardian, UK
Catholic children will now pledge to avoid vaping as part of pledge
Young people making their confirmation pledge in the Catholic Church will now have to vow to abstain from vaping and smoking | The Impartial Reporter, Ireland
Study examines low-risk cannabis use years after legalization
A new study led by Marie-Pierre Sylvestre, professor at the Université de Montréal School of Public Health, examines cannabis use 4 to 5 years after Canadian legalization by adopting a different perspective: rather than focusing solely on at-risk cases or those associated with problems, it identifies the socio-demographic, mental health, and lifestyle profiles of those who present a low risk of cannabis use disorder (CUD) | News Medical, USA
Onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use could offer clues to help people with appetite loss
The urgent onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use isn't imaginary – it's a cognitive response that occurs regardless of sex, age, weight or recent food consumption and could offer clues to help people struggling with appetite loss | News Medical, USA
Prenatal infection may raise adult alcohol misuse risk, study suggests
Exposure to infection and other immune stress in the womb increases the likelihood of alcohol misuse in adulthood, a risk that may be reduced through prenatal antioxidant treatment, a new Washington State University study shows | Medical Xpress, USA
“One Word: Inevitable”—Tobacco Harm Reduction’s Heavy Hitter
Few spaces are as hostile as the tobacco harm reduction (THR) policy debate. Lawmakers, media, ideologically-driven researchers, nonprofits and public health bodies demonize the safer nicotine products that can replace lethal cigarettes—distorting or ignoring the science, and launching vicious ad hominem attacks on their opponents | Filter Magazine, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
When We Expect Peers to be “Magical Saviors”: A 50-Year-Old Problem Revisited
The peer recovery specialist owes a great deal to the therapeutic community, or TC. As much as the recovery movement has distanced itself from the blight of Synanon, Synanon and its TC offshoots were once considered the future of addiction treatment and looked to as a source of solutions by scientists and practitioners | Recovery Review blog, USA