Families play a crucial role in shaping healthy choices. To prevent addiction for family members, it’s vital to take proactive steps that encourage communication, trust, and support. Adolescence is often a vulnerable period, so acting early creates a strong foundation. Below are 12 effective strategies for family addiction prevention that emphasise fostering resilience and positive habits. 1. Start Open Conversations...
March 22, 2025
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GLP-1 Drugs Show Potential in Reducing Alcohol Use
How GLP-1 Drugs Impact Alcohol Addiction Research suggests that GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, may play a surprising role in helping those struggling with alcohol use. Primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and supporting weight loss, these drugs have shown promising effects in reducing behaviours linked to alcohol use disorder. This discovery hints at a new therapeutic...
Naloxone Access Expanded in Arkansas, US
ARORP Leads the Fight Against Opioid Overdoses The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) is taking significant strides in addressing the opioid epidemic by improving Naloxone access for first responders and schools. By implementing the Naloxone Hero Program, ARORP aims to provide communities across the state with life-saving tools to reverse opioid overdoses. Since its launch in 2022, this programme has distributed more...
CDC Reports Unprecedented Progress as US Drug Overdose Deaths Decline
The US drug overdose deaths decline has been highlighted in the latest figures from the CDC, showing a remarkable 24% reduction in fatalities for the 12 months ending September 2024. According to provisional data, overdose deaths fell from around 114,000 in the previous year to approximately 87,000. Mid-2020 saw the lowest recorded number of deaths in any 12-month period, marking...
Portugal Drug Policy Failure Exposes Troubling Trends
The Portugal drug policy failure has become increasingly apparent, with the country’s much-lauded decriminalisation efforts now facing serious scrutiny. Promoted as a progressive approach to tackling drug issues, Portugal’s model decriminalised the use of all illicit substances, including heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy, while redirecting users to dissuasion committees instead of enforcing criminal penalties. However, an analysis of the results...
California Cannabis Market Failure Reflects Bleak Industry Outlook
The California cannabis market failure has reached a critical juncture, with inactive and surrendered licenses now outnumbering active ones. According to figures from the Department of Cannabis Control, there are 10,828 cancelled or inactive licences compared to 8,514 active ones. This marks a sharp decline in the state’s legal cannabis market, which has struggled to fulfil its promise since legalisation....
Kelly Turner Celebrated with Parent Advocate Award for Raising Awareness on THC Dangers
Georgia native Kelly Turner has been honoured with the prestigious Parent Advocate Award for her remarkable efforts in highlighting the risks associated with high-potency THC products, including Delta-8 and other hemp-derived intoxicants. This accolade, presented at the SAM and FDPS Leadership Dinner in Washington, DC, acknowledges her dedication to mobilising families and communities to tackle one of today’s significant public...
SAM 2025 Drug Policy Summit Tackles Addiction Crisis
The SAM 2025 Drug Policy Summit, organised by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) in collaboration with the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS), gathered leading experts, lawmakers, and advocates to confront the growing addiction crisis in the United States. Held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Centre, the two-day event featured critical discussions on combatting the harmful practices of...
Smoking Duration and Log Cig-Years in Head and Neck Cancer Survival
Cigarette smoking has long been linked to serious health risks, including a higher likelihood of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, understanding which smoking metrics most accurately predict overall survival (OS) in patients with HNSCC is vital for research and clinical applications. This blog post explores a recent cohort study of 8,875 patients with HNSCC, which assessed...
Cannabis Use and Schizophrenia: Exploring the Impact of Legalisation in Canada
The relationship between cannabis use and schizophrenia has been a topic of medical and public health concern for years. With cannabis legalisation gaining momentum across the globe, including Canada, new questions arise about the unintended consequences such policies may bring. One particular concern is whether legalisation leads to an increase in cases of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the subsequent...
Cannabis Use Disorder Mortality: Understanding the Risks
Cannabis use is becoming increasingly common worldwide, with growing accessibility due to global legalisation trends. However, with rising use comes significant risks, particularly in relation to cannabis use disorder (CUD). Recent studies reveal that individuals requiring hospital-based care for CUD face an alarmingly high risk of mortality within five years. This blog explores the findings, the factors contributing to these...
Fake Alcohol Dangers: How to Stay Safe from Counterfeit Booze Risks
The alarming rise in counterfeit alcohol is triggering serious concerns worldwide, as unsuspecting drinkers fall victim to its fatal effects. Recent tragedies have highlighted how counterfeit booze risks not only ruin nights out but also claim lives. Many tourists, particularly in popular destinations like Greece, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, have unknowingly consumed methanol-laced spirits disguised as vodka or gin, leading...
Wales Minimum Alcohol Pricing After 5 Years: What Did We Learn?
Nearly five years ago, Wales introduced legislation that made it illegal to sell alcohol for less than 50p per unit. This move was part of a trial period under the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018, aiming to reduce alcohol-related harm across the nation. The minimum alcohol pricing policy isn’t unique to Wales; it’s also implemented in...
Smoking and Vaping Dangers in UK: What You Need to Know in 2025
When it comes to the risks of Smoking and Vaping Dangers, the evidence continues to mount. Traditional smoking has long been recognised as a major public health issue, but vaping, often marketed as a “safer alternative”, has raised new concerns, particularly among young people. In response, the UK government has introduced a series of initiatives to address the growing danger of...
Over Half of Irish Students Affected by Drug Use, Survey Reveals
Worrying Statistics Reveal How Drug Use Negatively Impacts Students Over half of Irish higher education students have reported that drug use negatively impacts students, according to a significant new survey. The Drug Use in Higher Education Survey gathered feedback from over 11,500 students across 21 institutions in Ireland, uncovering concerning figures. Over half of those who admitted to using drugs...
Half of All Murders in England and Wales Drug-Related for Fifth Consecutive Year
New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that drug-related murders made up at least half of all homicides in England and Wales over the past five years. From April 2019 to March 2024, drugs were linked to 1,640 of the 3,062 murders committed. Last year, these drug-linked homicides accounted for 56 per cent of all murders, the...
UK Calls for Sustained Funding to Protect Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services
The UK faces a critical turning point as experts urge the government to maintain sustainable funding for drug and alcohol treatment services, warning that disinvestment could undo years of progress in tackling addiction and safeguarding communities. The appeal comes amid growing concerns over emerging threats like synthetic substances, which have already contributed to an alarming rise in fatalities. The Economic...
UK Expands Drug Testing on Arrest to Tackle Substance Misuse and Crime
The UK Home Office has unveiled a major expansion of its drug testing on arrest initiative. This move boosts efforts to curb substance abuse and its connection to criminal behaviour. Police officers will now be empowered to test individuals arrested for a wider range of offences. These include violent crimes, anti-social behaviour, and serious sexual offences. The updated policy will...
Scottish Prisons Service’s New Alcohol and Drug Recovery Strategy 2024-2034
Substance use in prisons has long been a significant challenge, one that perpetuates cycles of dependency and crime while impacting public health and safety. The Scottish Prisons Service (SPS) has introduced its Alcohol and Drug Recovery Strategy 2024-2034, a comprehensive, human-rights-centred approach designed to tackle this issue head-on. By focusing on rehabilitation, prevention, and reintegration, the strategy marks a significant...
Animal Alcohol Ingestion: The Hidden Dangers
Ethanol, a naturally occurring alcohol, is not just a concern for humans but also for the animal kingdom. Animal Alcohol Ingestion occurs when creatures, from insects to mammals, unintentionally or deliberately consume ethanol found in rotting fruits, fermented nectar, or overripe berries. While some species have adapted to cope with alcohol, the dangers and adverse effects of Animal Alcohol Ingestion...
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