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So, how are we doing?
[…] recent trends seem to indicate that this effect is waning). We have been successful in keeping drug-related HIV infections low. The UK was an early adopter of harm reduction practices such as needle exchanges in the 1980s. As a direct result, HIV transmission rates from injecting drug use have remained among the lowest in the […]
West Midlands PCC proposes consumption rooms and prescribed heroin
A range of proposed harm reduction measures to cut drug-related crime and deaths, and reduce costs to public services, has been set out by West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson. They include prescribing heroin in a medical setting for people who have not responded to other forms of treatment, establishing a formal […]
A moral imperative
[…] the best chance of recovery. Age-specific mortality rates for deaths relating to drug misuse, registered 1993 to 2016, England and Wales The impact of the abstinence vs harm reduction debates of the last few years, leading directly and indirectly to some some individuals being pushed through treatment systems too quickly, has been over-simplified and dangerous. […]
Strategy for Survival
[…] 2000s drug money was ring-fenced for many political reasons, not least the emphasis on crime reduction and public health, and although it was sensibly targeted mainly at harm reduction services there remained a small niche that offered abstinence. Clients therefore still had some choice of the treatment modalities they were offered. The change of government […]
Highest number of drug deaths in quarter of a century
[…] government claims it wants to protect young people from the harms of drugs, yet its new drug strategy, released in early July, makes no reference to providing harm reduction services for people who use drugs recreationally,’ she said. ‘The government must fund the forensic testing of drugs, including at nightclubs and music festivals, so that […]
A round-up of national news: November 2016
[…] Civil Liberties Union. The document is calling for personal use and possession to be decriminalised for all drugs, as well as increased funding to improve and expand harm reduction services. Every 25 seconds: the human toll of criminalizing drug use in the US at www.hrw.org TROUBLING TIMES The impact of the government’s flagship ‘troubled families’ […]
Definitions
[…] legalised weed. Portugal’s decriminalisation paradigm is viewed by many as a model with demonstrable public health benefits. UK politicians remain wedded to ‘pragmatic prohibition’ – treatment and harm reduction wrapped up in a restrictive legal framework. The words ‘legalisation’ and ‘decriminalisation’ are banded about but, like ‘recovery’, they mean different things to different people. Transform’s […]
Decriminalisation would mean global gains, say medics
[…] a commission of medical experts. The commission, which was set up by the Lancet and Johns Hopkins University in the US, also wants to see better access to harm reduction measures, policies that ‘reduce violence and discrimination’ in drug policing and an end to aerial spraying of drug crops with toxic pesticides. The report has been […]
DDN 0216 web
DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS ISSN 1755-6236 FEBRUARY 2016 DDN service user conference – last chance to book! GETTING INTO THE HARM REDUCTION GROOVE DRINK AR UG DSGE INSIDE De unworkable Psychoactive Substances Bill Are over-50s drinking themselves into an early grave? "P h oen ix F u tu re s’ H am psh ir e […]
National news from the substance misuse field
[…] position next January, replacing Wolfgang Götz, who has held the post since 2005. Mr Goosdeel has been at the EMCDDA since 1999, before which he co-founded Belgian harm reduction NGO Modus Vivendi. BBV boost A new briefing to support local authorities and drug services in reviewing their BBV prevention and treatment interventions has been published […]
Reducing the supply of high strength alcohol
[…] Portsmouth has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions in the south, costing an estimated £74 million annually, with £10 million NHS spend on alcohol harm. The Safer Portsmouth Partnership and Police licensing unit have taken the lead with ‘reducing the strength’, directing the campaign at the worst affected areas. They include […]
Recovery in the North West
[…] contributions to the UK recovery movement The North West of England has a reputation for leadership and innovation in responding to the challenges of addiction. The Merseyside harm reduction response to heroin in the 1980s has taken on legendary status, while the comic capers of Manchester’s Grandpa Smackhead Jones and Peanut Pete were eagerly followed […]
E-cigarettes: a double-edged sword in the battle to stop smoking
[…] 37% (1.7 million) are current smokers, and 320,000 people have never smoked before. Are e-cigarettes useful to help people stop smoking? E-cigarettes can serve as a valuable harm reduction tool to help individuals quit smoking traditional cigarettes. However, it is crucial not to promote them to people, especially young individuals, who have never smoked conventional […]
Every step
[…] with people who use heroin for 20 years, I am well versed in the concepts of harm minimisation. The truism ‘dead people don’t recover’ springs to mind. Harm reduction is the solid foundation on which we can build future recovery. With this in mind, the treatment system I operate within in Birmingham has now started […]
Scotland could be ‘sleep walking’ back to record alcohol deaths
Urgent action is needed to turn the alcohol ‘tide of harm’ in Scotland, says a call from more than 30 medical organisations and charities. We are blinkered to the reality of the high levels of damage alcohol causes said Alcohol Focus Scotland chief executive Alison Douglas Without it the country could be ‘sleep walking […]
Release’s take on the Government’s new Drug Strategy
[…] in the strategy as a life-saving and harm-reducing intervention to be offered across the country. Unfortunately, this is only one of many types of tried and tested harm reduction measures that have been implemented by nations more progressive than ours – including heroin assisted treatment, drug consumption rooms (overdose prevention sites/supervised injecting facilities) or medical […]
HIT
[…] in 1985 to reduce drug-related harm and set up one of the UK’s first syringe exchange schemes. Based in Liverpool, the organisation has an international reputation for developing, advocating and implementing a pragmatic and effective approach to the use of drugs. Hit deliver training in harm reduction and other topics in person and online. Website: https://hit.org.uk/index.php/trainingcourses/in-house-training
News in brief
[…] recovery? Birmingham-based UK Recovery Radio (DDN, March, page 17) has released its second ‘Purple Bull’ podcast – What is recovery? – which focuses on the role of harm reduction. Listen at recoveryradio.blogspot.co.uk Bereaved by addiction DrugFAM’s fifth annual Bereaved by addiction conference will take place in High Wycombe on 12 October. Details at www.drugfam.co.uk, or […]
Alcohol industry would lose £13bn if drinkers stuck to guidelines
[…] £2.50 – and a bottle of supermarket spirits by more than £12 – to maintain current revenue levels if everyone drank within the guidelines. Policies to reduce alcohol harm such as minimum unit pricing had been resisted ‘at every turn’ by the industry, stated lead author Aveek Bhattacharya. ‘Our analysis suggests this may be because […]
Drugs behind ‘huge increase’ in prison violence
[…] problem misusing medication that had not been prescribed to them. The document reveals ‘some of the worst prison conditions ever seen’, with ‘violence, drugs, suicide and self- harm, squalor and poor access to education’ prominent themes. The conditions had no place in the prison system of ‘an advanced nation in the 21st century’, stated […]
ACMD issues stark warning on funding cuts
[…] treatment services and local healthcare should also be strengthened. The report also wants to see more transparency and ‘clearer financial reporting’ on treatment services to challenge local disinvestment and – alongside the recent National Aids Trust’s harm reduction briefing – calls for drug and alcohol services to be mandated within local authority budgets, and/or the commissioning of treatment placed ‘within NHS commissioning structures’. ‘A lack of spending on drug […]
Set target to cut Scots alcohol consumption by 10 per cent, say campaigners
[…] 20 per cent reduction in deaths and hospital admissions’ after 20 years, the report states. Scotland continues to have the highest level of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm in the UK, says document, which is published in association with BMA Scotland, SHAAP and Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs. Despite the fact that […]
October issue
[…] Oliver Standing. JOINING FORCES New partnership-led training aims to help victims of domestic abuse incidents where substances are an issue, says Cinzia Altobelli. IT’S WHERE YOU’RE AT Harm reduction should be about ‘meeting people where they’re at’, according to the recent HIT Hot topics conference. Jamie Bridge reports. LIBERTY TO CHANGE Philadelphia is integrating its […]
DDN June 2015
In this month’s issue of DDN… ‘It is worth spelling out that harm reduction reduces harm.’ In this month’s issue: Tracy Walker talks about reducing drug-related damage at music festivals, Philippe Bonnet discusses moving forward with naloxone distribution – and James Dickinson tells the story of Chandos House’s unofficial head of treatment. Click on the links below to […]
Speaker presentations
[…] drug and alcohol services in Wales, and one of the first services to provide needle syringe exchange and computerised methadone dispensing. The organisation has always had a commitment to harm reduction and developing a range of services throughout Wales, and Martin is a fervent advocate of effective drugs education. Rondine Molinaro is Service Manager at Kaleidoscope. How a […]
The Loop launches London drug checking service
[…] local services and local communities. Drug checking reduces drug-related harm, which reduces the burden on emergency services and the NHS.’ The project marked a ‘major step for harm reduction in the UK’ added the charity’s CEO, Katy Porter. ‘Hackney and Camden are the first of several London boroughs we are working with, alongside further cities. […]
WithYou publishes Scottish drug and alcohol manifesto
[…] drugs, WithYou states It is also vital that the government deliver a dedicated alcohol strategy for the country, establish ‘clear outcomes and accountability’ across all services, expand harm reduction, and ensure that services are ‘accessible and consistently available’. The final funding for the five-year national mission was announced by the government last month. ‘With elections […]
Exporting the disease
[…] this was not reflected in scientific reports, as the Danes never really took the issue of ‘recovery’ that seriously. On the other hand, what you would call harm reduction measures were from early on introduced and maintained in Denmark. Many Danes, once seriously addicted to drugs, are in good job positions today, as we grew […]
Wales records highest ever number of drug misuse deaths
[…] published by National Records of Scotland, the government points out. Last year’s official death toll was 1,107, a 13 per cent drop from 2023 but almost four times higher than 25 years ago. Harm reduction database Wales: drug related mortality annual report 2025 available here Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: July to September 2025 available here
NPS crackdown increased violence and suicide in prisons, say researchers
[…] Substances Act, says a report from the University of Sussex. Although outlawing substances like spice reduced availability in prisons it also led to ‘waves of violence, self- harm and suicides’, the document states. Researchers analysed Ministry of Justice (MoJ) prison data for England, and found that while the availability of NPS like spice, mephedrone […]
One in five adults ‘still addicted to tobacco’, says WHO
[…] in implementing proven tobacco control policies.’ E-cigarettes were fuelling ‘a new wave of nicotine addiction’, added WHO director of health determinants, Etienne Krug. ‘They are marketed as harm reduction but, in reality, are hooking kids on nicotine earlier and risk undermining decades of progress.’ WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 […]
DDN October 2025
Nutrition should be part of harm reduction We have thought-provoking contributions on wellbeing in this issue – mental and physical – including our cover story (p6) in which the team demonstrate that addressing nutritional deficiency should be a regular part of harm reduction. It’s also clear that there’s much to learn in relating nutritional need […]
Love Kevin – a documentary about the life of Kevin Molloy
Kevin Molloy was a passionate advocate for harm reduction, beginning his work in the drugs field and, more recently, focusing his efforts on tobacco. Kevin was born in Birmingham, United Kingdom. His life experiences and passions shaped his character and expertise in various areas, including rugby, music, acting, and harm reduction advocacy—a role in which […]
When meta-analysis misleads: the need for methodological integrity in e-cigarette research
Tobacco harm reduction (THR), especially in the context of electronic cigarette (EC) research, remains highly contested within public health, often due to studies compromised by methodological flaws. These shortcomings in study design, analysis, terminology, or interpretation can distort scientific record, erode public trust, and generate misleading or uncritical media coverage and policy reports. These challenges […]
No half measures
[…] frequently not offered additional support for these issues and encounter significant barriers to accessing those services because they use drugs. Q started engaging with Release via our harm reduction hub a year ago, for harm reduction advice and needle and syringe provision. As he started to come more frequently, he told us about some of […]
Community connections
[…] community rehab, LEROs build a social, principled space where anyone can walk in and immediately sit down to talk with someone with lived experience of services, addiction, harm reduction and recovery. LEROs can offer a warm welcome, independent space and a sense of belonging. Operating this way in the community – away from burgeoning bureaucracy, […]
DDN Conference 2025: programme
[…] [vc_custom_heading text=”2.00 – 3.45pm Session three” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:38|text_align:left|color:%2303998a” google_fonts=”font_family:Coustard%3Aregular%2C900|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”] [vc_custom_heading text=”Jim Duffy, Smoke Works, Boston” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:26|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Coustard%3Aregular%2C900|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”] Feel the need, be the change: An exciting and innovative peer-led harm reduction initiative from across the pond! [vc_custom_heading text=”An interactive session led by Mark Gilman from Harm Reduction Research, Policy and Practice” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:26|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Coustard%3Aregular%2C900|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”] Bringing it back to […]
Dechrau Newydd drug service closure raises concerns for most vulnerable
[…] is not just a step backward – it is a failure to protect the most vulnerable,’ the charity said. It added that the service had offered essential harm reduction and recovery support, including employing people with lived experience. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales said a new service model was […]
Safer nicotine product taxation and optimal strategies for public health
BY GLOBAL STATE OF TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION (GSTHR) Taxation has long been regarded as one of the most effective tools by traditional tobacco control groups for controlling tobacco consumption. Tax on tobacco products is intended to serve two main purposes: to decrease demand by increasing prices, making these products less affordable and less appealing, and […]
European MDMA market rapidly evolving, say EUDA and Europol
[…] Goosdeel. ‘MDMA remains a popular drug in nightlife and music festival settings, so ecstasy tablets that contain high amounts of MDMA, or unexpected ingredients, pose serious risks. Harm reduction measures, like drug-checking services, are crucial to mitigate the dangers. Tailored prevention and treatment services are more critical than ever, as MDMA tablets may contain new […]
Letters
[…] John Ramsey, it’s been viewed almost 100,000 times. Since then we’ve done minutes with various experts on topics as diverse as what’s in cocaine, ecstasy pill testing, harm reduction for new drug virgins, PMA deaths, GHB and ketamine bladder. In 2014 we want to open the door to the huge range of expertise that exists […]
A place to thrive
[…] on a single issue and offers a radically different approach to the ‘four pillars’ of traditional responses to drug and alcohol addiction (treatment, prevention, law enforcement and harm reduction) that have ultimately failed. This is where we suggest that an ABCD approach will add the most value. For us, this approach goes beyond traditional strength-based […]
West Berkshire’s drug and alcohol service packs a punch with local community event
[…] impact in action. Jason Kew, public health strategist, spoke passionately about the local Combatting Drugs Partnership, highlighting the importance of collaboration between organisations to tackle stigma, promote harm reduction, and enhance education and prevention efforts. Jason Kew highlighted the importance of collaboration between organisations to tackle stigma, promote harm reduction, and enhance education and prevention […]
Startling statistics
[…] change in the context of a drug which can be powerfully reinforcing, but with equally powerful ‘comedowns’. The intervention offers two structured individual sessions based on discussing harm reduction in the context of motivational interviewing, and exploring the person’s values and goals. The person can then choose to join a four-session rolling group programme with […]
MPs to vote on tobacco and vapes bill today
[…] gambling treatment, research and prevention, would come into force next April. The proposals formed part of the government’s controversial gambling white paper, which was published in April last year. See tobacco harm reduction feature in November’s DDN and gambling feature in the December-January issue tobacco and vapes bill MPs to vote on tobacco and vapes bill today
A flexible approach to work
[…] I never thought I would ever be able to do anything about it or prove that these beliefs were right, but in the early 2000s, as a harm reduction activist, I had taken on the task of sourcing citric acid sachets for people who inject and soon found myself needing help with the warehousing, packing, […]
Now hear this
[…] symptoms. One of the drugs George used were pills advertised as ‘pressed oxycodone M30s’. It didn’t take long for George to develop a dependency. Most of the harm reduction conversations around nitazenes in the UK thus far have focused on reducing risks among people whose drugs have been contaminated with nitazenes, assuming that the user […]
Different class
[…] fundamental ‘harm reductionist’, and I’m back there again. It seems to me that the primary response to the challenges that face us today is good old fashioned harm reduction. At the time of writing the working class are once again being demonised by polite middle class society. Who would have thought that John Major’s ‘condemn […]
Recovery Month reflections: Forward’s in-person recovery event for London-based staff
[…] featuring synthetic drugs, alcohol unit measuring cups, and beer goggles for educational purposes. Forward Trust Services: Shared vital information on dependency, recovery processes, local treatment providers, and harm reduction. There were also lots of fun activities, such as live music and line dancing, a substance misuse awareness quiz, and an award ceremony to celebrate the […]
Cranstoun micro-eliminates hepatitis C across Sandwell
[…] in Sandwell is a major public health victory for our community. This reflects our tailored, local approach – ensuring those most affected have access to vital testing, harm reduction services, and life-saving treatments right here in Sandwell. ‘By working closely with local partners, addressing stigma, and making care accessible, we’ve not only transformed individual lives […]
A fair exchange
[…] for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.’ They are also harm reduction innovators extraordinaire (my words). In practice, what I saw on the ‘coalface’ was top-quality and innovative harm minimisation products and educational information being developed, produced and […]
Largest ever trial of ketamine-assisted therapy underway
[…] affect not only the individual but families, friends and communities, and related deaths have increased still further since the pandemic,’ said consultant psychiatrist Professor Rupert McShane. ‘Alcohol-related harm is estimated to cost the NHS around £3.5 bn each year, and wider UK society around £40 bn. We urgently need new treatments. If this trial establishes […]
Fall in suspected Scottish drug deaths
[…] reports of police officers attending scenes of death, and used to provide a ‘timely indication of trends and to detect any potential recent changes or clusters of harm’, PHS points out. They do not provide the same ‘robust’ indication of the number of drug-related fatalities as the official annual figures from National Records of […]
One in six vapes confiscated in schools contained spice
[…] then they’ve got a chance of making a different choice.’ While the issue is being addressed regionally, he urged the government to ‘elevate it to a national harm reduction priority’, he stated. ‘I call on the Home Office and the Department for Education to highlight this problem and to provide police forces and schools with […]