Ethanol

Dr. Debra Johnston reflects on her love for museums and how historical trivia, like a patent medication with alcohol and opioids, highlights the evolution of food and drug regulations. Despite progress, current systems remain imperfect, with limited inspection and post-market testing, and many products, like supplements and cosmetics, unregulated. History teaches valuable lessons.

Substance use among adolescents remained low in 2024, continuing a trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Monitoring the Future Survey, funded by NIH, found stable or declining use of most drugs, with alcohol, nicotine vaping, and cannabis seeing the most reported use. Factors contributing to this trend are under investigation to inform future interventions.

Scientists at Brown University's Carney Institute use a powerful super-resolution microscope, SoRa, to study addiction, memory, reward, brain development, and function. The SoRa, funded by the Center for the Neurobiology of Cells and Circuits, allows high-resolution imaging within neurons, aiding research on dopamine circuits and drug effects in fruit flies, which share similarities with human brains.

The global drug of abuse testing market, valued at $6.97B in 2023, is projected to reach $11.71B by 2032. Factors driving growth include strict laws, rising drug consumption, and government initiatives. Recent developments include acquisitions and new product launches. Fingerprint-based testing is a new opportunity, while drug legalization and lack of skilled technicians pose challenges. North America leads the market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific.

Brantford Police Service launched their 2024 Holiday R.I.D.E campaign to combat alcohol and drug-impaired driving. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving, which includes severe penalties such as licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and potential criminal charges. Drivers are urged to avoid driving impaired by planning safe transportation alternatives.

Tús Úr, a charity in west Belfast, offers tailored support for addiction and mental health, including family services. Funded by the Housing Executives Sustainable Tenancy fund, it aims to fill gaps in GP services and dispel myths about addiction. The charity seeks additional funds for programs to engage participants and provide wrap-around support.

The Metropolitan Police Service is piloting Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in South London boroughs from November, aiming to protect victims and enforce restrictions on perpetrators, including exclusion zones. DAPOs combine effective elements of existing orders, offer flexibility in issuance, and can include positive requirements for offenders like participation in change programmes. Breaches are criminal offences with potential prison sentences. The pilot is part of the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.

Joshua Orson reflects on his journey from addiction to becoming a peer support worker at a new, 36-bed detox centre in Toronto, emphasizing the space's role in fostering dignity and hope. The centre, operated by Unity Health Toronto and funded by the Ministry of Health, offers free services including group and individual therapy. Despite being full, the centre frequently has openings due to its short-term residential design. The demand highlights a severe shortage of detox beds in Ontario, where opioid overdose deaths have surged. The province plans to shift from supervised consumption sites to new recovery hubs and supportive housing units.

Joshua Orson reflects on his journey from addiction to becoming a peer support worker at a new, 36-bed detox centre in Toronto, emphasizing the space's role in fostering dignity and hope. The centre, operated by Unity Health Toronto and funded by the Ministry of Health, offers free, 24-hour care and is one of four publicly funded residential detox facilities in the city. The centre's design aims to convey care and love, crucial for both patient recovery and staff well-being, amidst a severe shortage of detox beds and the ongoing opioid crisis.