Understanding the Drinking Culture in Scotland Alcohol consumption in Scotland has long been intertwined with the nation’s culture and social activities. However, over the past 50 years, the growing accessibility and consumption of alcohol have led to significant public health challenges. From rising rates of alcohol-related illnesses to the economic impact on healthcare and society,...
Tackling Scotland’s Rising Alcohol-Related Fatalities Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have surged to their highest level since 2008, painting a stark picture of the health crisis linked to drinking. A coalition of 70 organisations, including charities and medical institutions, has called for urgent action from the Scottish Government to combat alcohol-related harm. Among their suggestions is...
Public health councils in the UK are stepping up their efforts to address drug and alcohol treatment and recovery needs with a renewed funding initiative from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). For the financial year 2025 to 2026, the DHSC has allocated £310 million in extra funding through the Drug and Alcohol...
The cannabis use disorder (CUD) treatment market is on the brink of rapid expansion, reflecting a global trend towards recognising the health implications linked with cannabis dependency. Accelerated by increasing cannabis consumption, legislative movements, and a heightened awareness of usage-related risks, the market is forecast to grow from a valuation of USD 1.7 billion in...
Meth Prevention New Zealand: The Urgent Need for Action Bob Penel’s four decades in narcotics enforcement have given him a front-row seat to the evolving methamphetamine crisis and the urgent need for meth prevention. From 1987 to 2009, he raided countless meth labs across California’s Central Valley, witnessing the critical transition from local production by...
The Native American opioid crisis continues to challenge communities across the United States, leaving behind devastating impacts. However, shining through this challenging landscape is a beacon of hope in the form of culturally relevant addiction solutions. Pulitzer Center grantee Elyse Wild has taken a closer look at this crisis, sharing her in-depth project, “Two Medicines”,...
The New York K2 drug problem remains a pressing issue despite marijuana’s legalization in the state. Families and communities are witnessing devastating consequences as this synthetic substance continues to wreak havoc, thriving on the black market. With inexpensive prices and misleading labeling as “potpourri” or “incense,” K2 presents a dangerous challenge that persists amid evolving...
A groundbreaking study from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has uncovered a concerning link between heavy cannabis use and increased mortality rates among colon cancer patients. The findings raise important questions about the long-term effects of cannabis use, particularly within medically vulnerable populations like those living with cancer. Understanding the Study on Cannabis...
Opioid-related tragedies remain at the heart of America’s public health challenges. Debbie Allen, a grieving widow from Fort Worth, Texas, is advocating for a simple yet impactful change after losing her husband, Robert, to a doctor-prescribed opioid. Her campaign to add opioid warning label to bottles is picking up momentum and has become a focal...
At the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit on April 24 in Nashville, RFK Jr talks addiction, recovery, and solutions to the opioid crisis. As the US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared personal experiences with addiction, reflected on the challenges of recovery, and detailed his department’s strategies to combat the epidemic....