Tranquilisers and over-the-counter drugs are too readily available, causing over two million people to develop addictions to them, reports the Independent. Drugs such as benzodiazepines (tranquillisers) and opiate-based painkillers (such as morphine and codeine) can have serious side-effects, as well as being habit-forming. There has been a huge rise in addiction to these legal drugs, read more »

Over one million people in the UK are now taking cocaine, the largest figure for 12 years, reports the Times. The figure comes from the British Crime Survey, which also reveals that around 125,000 people are taking ketamine, a horse tranquiliser. Over half of those taking cocaine are aged between 16 and 24, possible due read more »

The number of people being admitted to A&E after taking cocaine is at an all time high, reports the BBC, at seventeen a week. In 2007-2008, 894 people in England were treated for a “cocaine-induced health emergency”, as opposed to 740 in 2006-2007 and 448 in 2003-2004. The number of people being taken to hospital read more »

Families of drug addicts are to be given a drug that can help reverse the affects of an overdose as part of a new trial, reports the Guardian. In a quarter of over dose cases, a family member is present, but they are left feeling helpless and unable to help the addict, apart from calling read more »

New patterns in cocaine use could put younger users at even more risk, reports the Guardian. A new trend amongst cocaine users of mixing the drug in with other substances to allow them to drink for longer is causing health problems for 20 to 30 year olds. However, it is resulting in many users being read more »

Despite another crackdown on illegal drugs, it’s feared that drug manufacturers and dealers are already one step ahead, reports The Independent. BZP, a worming treatment for cattle, but with effects similar to ecstasy is due to be classified as a Class C drug, however, manufacturers have already begun making a different drug, with similar effects read more »

Despite those suffering with depression now being offered many more options for treatment, the cost of antidepressants in Scotland has soared to £40million, reports The Times. 3.9 million prescriptions for antidepressants were issued last year, and there was an increase across every area in Scotland. The Western Isles saw the biggest increase with a rise read more »

Trials for a new Alzheimer’s drug have proved successful at reversing the illness, reports the BBC today. The trials done on mice in the US showed that the gene which affects the brain’s memory could be boosted to make it work more effectively. The drugs – called HDAC inhibitors – can help with long term read more »

The results of a 12 year study has shown that painkillers cannot prevent developing Alzheimers. It was previously thought that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimers, as it is caused by inflammation, reports the BBC. The study was carried out by the read more »

A new advertising campaign launched this week aims to highlight the links between taking cannabis and mental health problems, reports The Independent. Cannabis was re-classified last month to a Class B drug, and the £2.2 million campaign is targeting 11-18 year- olds, through the ‘Talk to Frank’ initiative. Along with the re-classification are new penalties read more »