A growing crisis is unfolding in Scots prisons as the dangerous synthetic drug known as “monkey dust” fuels a spike in drug overdoses and alarming behaviour among inmates. Prison authorities, healthcare workers, and politicians are sounding the alarm about the rapid spread of this potent substance, whose effects are both unpredictable and severe. Monkey Dust...
At Cork Prison, over 100 people are waiting for addiction counselling, but there are only two addiction counsellors available to help them. This highlights a larger problem across Ireland, where addiction counselling and treatment services struggle to keep up with demand. At the start of this year, there were just 18 counsellors working nationally and...
When former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faced a political storm due to allegations of misconduct, he sought to shift the narrative by legalising marijuana in a last-ditch effort to gain voters’ favour. Although the legislation was designed not only to legalise cannabis but also to right the historical wrongs of prohibition, the reality of...
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs plays a crucial role in shaping global drug policies, and the 2025 session brought pressing issues to the forefront. Addressing the commission, Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS), delivered a compelling statement about the challenges...
The connection between alcohol and mental health is a two-way street. For many, alcohol may start as a way to unwind or relax, but over time it can severely impact mental wellbeing. Simultaneously, mental health challenges can lead individuals to depend on alcohol to cope, creating a cycle that becomes difficult to break. This harmful...
The misuse of recreational substances remains a persistent health concern, and one alarming trend capturing public attention is Galaxy Gas misuse. A flavoured form of nitrous oxide, dubbed “Galaxy Gas,” has gained popularity as a recreational drug. While nitrous oxide is often used in medical and culinary settings, its abuse for euphoric effects poses serious...
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...
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...
The legalisation of recreational cannabis across numerous U.S. states has become a topic of increasing concern for employers. Among the various societal impacts, the link between marijuana use and workplace safety stands out as particularly pressing. Recent research highlights critical risks associated with cannabis use that demand attention to maintain both employee well-being and business...
Cinema has long served as a platform to confront society’s toughest issues, with movies about drug addiction presenting some of the rawest and most impactful narratives. These films on substance abuse reveal the devastating consequences of addiction, offering harrowing yet invaluable lessons. Below, we explore a wide spectrum of such stories, each exposing the lives of characters...