Substance use prevention must be a priority. Economic insecurity, rising inequality, persistent distrust, and growing substance use are threatening the very fabric of societies worldwide. The World Social Report 2025 draws urgent attention to these issues, revealing an unsettling picture of communities under stress and the pressing need for a new policy consensus. By exploring...
Two official graphs undermine the ‘drug checking’ narrative Pill Testing Australia operatives have shifted their focus from their ineffective and harm-escalating** pill testing narrative to one that now includes testing all manner of illicit drugs in a new operation they call ‘drug checking’. ABC is currently posting warnings about more potent opioids such as fentanyl...
Cannabis policies in the U.S. have seen a dramatic shift over the past few decades. Most states now allow some form of legal cannabis use, even though federal law still prohibits it. This patchwork of regulations has developed with little federal oversight and often without prioritising public health. A new report from the National Academies...
The Silent Epidemic of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (CIP) is becoming an unspoken public health threat that deserves our immediate attention. For years, marijuana has been celebrated as a recreational substance and increasingly viewed as a benign product thanks to growing legalisation efforts. Yet, beneath the positive narratives lies a darker reality with alarming statistics,...
The alarming increase in fentanyl exposure over the past decade has become a significant public health concern, particularly among children. A groundbreaking study has revealed a staggering 1,194.2% increase in nonfatal fentanyl exposure cases in children and teens in the U.S. between 2015 and 2023. This article will explore the trends, age disparities, methods of...
A recent satirical skit has sparked discussion for its depiction of alcohol as an easy answer to life’s everyday challenges. Though comedic in intent, it sheds light on a serious concern—the normalisation of alcohol as a go-to solution for managing stress, workplace pressures, and family conflicts. Normalisation of Alcohol: Not the Answer The idea that...
Part 2: The Clinical Consequences – Cannabis Heart Impact in Surgical Settings Building on our previous analysis of population-level cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use, we now turn to a critical examination of surgical outcomes and clinical management strategies. The perioperative period represents a unique window of vulnerability for cannabis users, where cardiovascular risks can...
Part 1: The Growing and Irrefutable Evidence of Cannabis Use and Heart Health Harms The intersection of expanding cannabis legalisation and cardiovascular health has emerged as a critical public health concern. With over 200 million users worldwide and increasing potency of modern cannabis products, the cardiovascular implications demand urgent attention. This comprehensive analysis examines the...
The Welsh Senedd recently discussed the future of Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs) following the conclusion of a two-year pilot program funded with £450,000 by the Welsh Government. Evaluated by CASCADE at Cardiff University, the pilot demonstrated positive outcomes, suggesting FDACs can be a beneficial alternative to traditional care proceedings. According to the evaluation,...
A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that alcohol accounted for the highest percentage of substance use treatment admissions in the U.S. in 2022, making up 35.5% of the nearly 1.5 million admissions. Heroin and methamphetamine followed, contributing to 16.9% and 13.9% of admissions respectively. Admissions were most...