The cultivation of more potent magic mushrooms is raising significant concerns, as advancements in genetic sequencing and cellular manipulation have led to strains with unprecedented levels of psychedelic compounds. These super-strength mushrooms pose a substantial risk to unprepared users, who may find themselves experiencing intense and distressing trips from doses much smaller than previously required....
Author: WRD News Team
How Bullying Leads to Substance Misuse
Bullying and peer pressure are pervasive issues that deeply affect children’s lives, often leading to negative outcomes such as substance misuse. As highlighted by Jod Sweetin and Dr. Crystal Lewis in their insightful discussion, these pressures can trigger a path toward unhealthy coping mechanisms as children struggle with feelings of inadequacy and isolation. The conversation...
UK Parliament Unites for Tobacco and Vapes Bill
In a significant display of support, MPs, smoking survivors, and bereaved families recently gathered in Parliament to back the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This comprehensive legislation is poised to revolutionise public health by raising the age of sale for tobacco annually, ensuring that those born after 2009 will never legally purchase tobacco products. Additionally, the...
Record Rise in Alcohol-Related Harm in the UK: An Urgent Call for Action
A record rise in alcohol-related harm in the UK has raised alarm, with over 10,000 deaths directly linked to alcohol in 2022 – a 33% increase since 2019. Alcohol now stands as the leading risk factor for death, illness, and disability among 15-49-year-olds in the UK, according to data from the Office for National Statistics....
Cannabis and Driving: Victorian Law Change for ‘Medicinal’ Cannabis Users – But is Road Safety Seriously Compromised?
The recent amendment to Victorian driving laws, set to take effect March 1, marks a significant shift in how medicinal cannabis users who test positive for THC while driving will be treated under the law. While proponents celebrate this as a victory for medical cannabis patients, serious concerns about road safety emerge from extensive research...
Addressing the Crisis Linked to Youth Cannabis Use
The cannabis landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past four decades, one that fundamentally changes the nature of the discussion around legalisation and youth access. This isn’t merely about policy changes – it’s about the substance itself. Cannabis potency has increased exponentially, from approximately 1% THC content in the 1980s to modern strains...
21 Years of Change: Arnott vs. Big Tobacco
Deborah Arnott recently concluded her 21-year tenure as CEO of Action on Smoking & Health (ASH), leaving behind a legacy of significant achievements in the fight against Big Tobacco. Under her leadership, ASH successfully campaigned for numerous public health measures, including the banning of smoking in public places, the prohibition of tobacco displays in retail...
Liam Payne’s Death Linked to Substance Influence
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne has tragically passed away after a fatal fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 31-year-old reportedly fell 14 metres from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, sustaining critical injuries that led to his immediate death. Local police were alerted to an incident involving an aggressive...
Music Support: A UK-Based Lifeline for Industry Peers
Music Support is a UK-based charity dedicated to assisting individuals in the music and live events industry affected by mental health challenges and addiction. The organisation offers a range of support services, including a confidential helpline, individual case management, and crisis support, all managed by industry peers with firsthand experience. In addition to providing direct...
Frightening Fentanyl Fallout: The Answer is in Demand Reduction, Supply Reduction & Recovery
The fentanyl crisis has emerged as one of America’s most pressing public health emergencies, with devastating consequences that touch every corner of society. Only ‘layering’ up on the worst opioid addiction disaster (arguably) in US history. In a shocking revelation of the crisis’s scope, fatal drug poisonings reached a record 111,451 in the 12 months...