Thank you to our Premium sponsors:
|
|
Could you sponsor DrugWise Daily? Please Email Harry Shapiro to discuss |
|
|
In date order, Monday to Friday
Ketamine crisis: The party drug sold online with free perks - that's attracting children as young as 10
Sky News joins investigators infiltrating networks used by dealers. The hunt is a game of cat and mouse, driven by a Class B drug that is being taken in record numbers | Sky News, UK
National guidance advises complete ban on vapes in Scottish schools
Schools told of legal responsibility to dispose of vapes and lithium batteries safely in new government guidance that also addresses other substances and their use in schools | TES, UK
The changing faces of county lines: How young girls are being exploited to carry drugs across the country
Georgina was in multiple abusive relationships and had been neglected at home before she was coerced into transporting drugs | Independent, UK
Department of Health retracts claim sunbeds are as dangerous as smoking
DHSC corrects statements after regulator intervenes as experts say smoking causes far more cancer cases | Guardian, UK
EUDA launches new civil society platform on drugs to strengthen dialogue and cooperation
The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) has launched its new civil society platform on drugs, a dedicated online space designed to strengthen cooperation with civil society organisations (CSOs) across Europe. The new platform provides a structured framework for information exchange, knowledge sharing and consultation between the EUDA and CSOs. It will enable organisations to contribute expertise, engage in dialogue with the agency and stay informed about key developments in the drugs field | EUDA, Portugal
The smoking ban has shown that meaningful change is possible
Smoking rates in Scotland have halved, and thousands of lives have been saved since smokefree legislation came into force twenty years ago. As the anniversary approaches, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is highlighting the profound impact of the ban — a public health success story that continues to shape the nation’s wellbeing. A new report, published by PHS, shows the positive impact this decisive measure has had on non-smokers too | Public Health Scotland, UK
Scotland losing up to £6bn a year to drug harm, think tank finds
Ahead of the Scottish elections, economic modelling shows the stark cost of drug addiction to Scotland, with the wider social and economic costs estimated as up to £5.7 billion annually | Social Market Foundation, UK
Alcohol minimum pricing 'no longer deliverable' before next election
Legislation to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland is "no longer deliverable" before the next assembly election, Stormont's health minister has said | BBC, UK
UK’s largest vape awareness campaign returns at pivotal moment for smokers and vapers
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is preparing to launch the ninth annual VApril campaign next month – the world’s largest vape awareness initiative | Grocery Trader, UK
Experts warn alcohol policy must be protected from industry influence
During a policy roundtable discussion [video] convened by the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA), experts called for the government to develop a new national alcohol strategy that prioritises improvements in public health over commercial interests | SSA, UK
Ex-justice minister fined for possessing illegal drugs
The former Conservative MP and justice minister Crispin Blunt has been fined after pleading guilty to possessing illegal drugs, including cannabis and crystal meth | BBC, UK
Smoking ban in Scotland's pubs was a 'PR war' - but has it saved lives?
Exactly 20 years ago, Scotland became the first part of the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places - including pubs, restaurants and workplaces. To some, the legislation heralded dusk on the halcyon days of proper boozers. To others, it put a stop to nights of stinging eyes and stinking clothes - and, most importantly, it saved lives | BBC, UK
London's only homeless detox clinic to close
London's only dedicated drug and alcohol detox unit for homeless people is to close, St Thomas' Hospital has confirmed. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the decision had been taken due to "rising costs", adding that the service was "no longer affordable within existing funding". The clinic which is based at the hospital ran with a £1m shortfall over the past year, and "there were also times when beds were underused", the government added | BBC, UK
Coroner fears more drug deaths at prison
Milton Keynes coroner Sean Cummings investigated the death of Ronald Meikle in his cell at HMP Woodhill on 30 April 2024. He died from the effects of synthetic cannabinoids, often known as Spice, and the coroner found "illicit drugs were readily available" at the prison. Following Meikle's death, HMP Woodhill recruited a permanent drug strategy lead to brief staff on tackling the issue | BBC, UK
'A game-changing moment for social media' - what next for big tech after landmark addiction verdict?
A jury in LA has delivered a damning verdict for two of the world's most popular digital platforms, Instagram and YouTube. It ruled those apps are addictive, and deliberately engineered that way – and that its owners have been negligent in their safeguarding of the children who have used them | BBC, UK