Nearly 19 million children in the United States are living in households where at least one parent has a substance use disorder, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics. This staggering figure means one in four children experiences the challenges of growing up in a family affected by addiction, highlighting a significant yet...
Campaigners and grieving families are criticising drug reform in Northern Ireland as they highlight heartbreaking delays in addiction treatment in Derry. A Mother’s Grief Sparks a Call for Drug Reform Northern Ireland When Pauline Duddy’s daughter Jasmin passed away in February 2023 after taking pregabalin and other substances, Pauline’s world changed forever. A devoted mother...
The relationship between cannabis and dementia has come under increasing scientific scrutiny as both the potency and use of cannabis have surged worldwide. With cannabis becoming more mainstream, questions have arisen about its long-term impact on cognitive health, memory, and the risk of dementia. Recent studies shed new light on these critical issues, challenging the...
The appointment of Sara Carter as Drug Czar marks an important moment for national efforts to prevent drugs and alcohol misuse. President Donald Trump selected Carter to serve as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Announced via Trump’s Truth Social account in March, this decision was met with both support and...
Moldova’s prison system has taken a new step forward. The recently launched rehabilitation programme for prisoners with alcohol addiction is now accessible in every Moldova penitentiary. Supported by the Council of Europe and developed alongside the National Administration of Penitentiaries (NAP), this Moldova Prisoner Rehab initiative aims to tackle substance abuse and risky behaviour among...
The UK stands at a pivotal moment in public health history with the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a landmark legislation that aims to create a smokefree generation. However, achieving a truly smokefree future requires more than just preventing new smokers—it demands a comprehensive strategy to help existing smokers quit and address the...
Cannabis vaping is making headlines worldwide, often promoted as a “safer” alternative to smoking. Meanwhile, Drug Trends data from Australia reveal that non-prescribed cannabis use remains high among people who regularly use drugs. But are wider permission models and positive propaganda about cannabis leading to greater engagement, especially among those most at risk? This article...
Addiction recovery in the UK is at a crossroads. Across the country, a subtle yet significant redefinition of “rehab” is changing the landscape of hope for individuals and families facing addiction. “Rehab” increasingly describes services focused not on abstinence and recovery but on “stabilisation”—the long-term management of addiction—rather than remaining a beacon of transformation. Annemarie...
Nitazene overdose in Australia is sharply increasing, and fresh evidence shows these synthetic opioids are far more dangerous than previously believed. The Australia nitazene crisis is no longer a distant threat; it is here, causing serious harm, hospitalisations, and tragic loss of life. What Are Nitazenes? The New Wave of Potent Synthetic Opioids Nitazenes belong...
Fresh data paints a striking picture of UK public health support. The majority back tougher government measures to tackle tobacco, unhealthy food and, to a lesser degree, alcohol, as the country faces mounting pressures from widening health inequalities, stalling life expectancy, and record levels of ill health-related economic inactivity. To address this UK health crisis,...