Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

6 in 10 rated their overall care from their local Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service in the last 12 months as 'excellent' or 'good'.

We've published findings from a survey of nearly 500 people from across Scotland with experience of using drugs as part of the evaluation of the National Mission on Drugs

In our guest blog, @scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social explain how it was carried out🔽
www.publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/202...

Graphic titled 'RADAR Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing naloxone administrations from March to May 25. It reports 1,089 Scottish Ambulance Service naloxone administration incidents—45% higher than the previous quarter (752) and 9% higher than the same period last year (1,002).

Graphic titled 'RADAR: Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing A&E attendances from March to May 25. It reports 1,062 drug-related emergency department attendances—19% higher than the previous quarter (891) and unchanged from the same period last year (1,062).

Infographic from Public Health Scotland titled 'RADAR Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing suspected drug deaths from March to May 25. It reports 312 suspected drug deaths, averaging 24 per week—15% higher than the previous quarter (272) and 7% higher than the same period last year (291).

Graphic for Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System, RADAR. It includes the text: 'RADAR – Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System. View the full RADAR report and find our current alerts at: publichealthscotland.scot/RADAR. Public Health Scotland.

The report shows drug-related harms are higher compared to the previous quarter and highlights the serious impact of a rapidly evolving, toxic and unpredictable drug supply.

📊 Our infographics share some of the key figures.

View the full report 🔽
publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

Our latest RADAR quarterly report shows increased levels of drug-related harm across Scotland, underlining the need for continued action.

📺 Hear from Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland and Lead of RADAR.

More info 🔽
publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ju...

We are inviting people with lived experience of the justice system (community sentencing, bail or remand, or being in prison) to take part in small, informal group discussions this August. What you share will help shape how prison and community sentences are used in Scotland.

Applications will close at the end of the day today!

Young People and Substance Use Join us at the University of Stirling to discuss "Young People and Substance Use"

📣 New Event!✨

Join us for "Young People and Substance Use"

📅 19 August 2025
📍 Stirling
🕘 10:00 - 13:30
Stay tuned for more details!

Free sign up here: buff.ly/6EZOmMC

If you're 18-30 and live in the UK please fill out this survey for the opportunity to be interviewed for our research on attitudes towards people who use drugs (if interviewed you'll receive a £15 Love2Shop voucher!)

bristolexppsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Shares much appreciated!

Digital-physical hybridity in drug markets and harm reduction This special issue develops a more integrated approach to conceptualising relationships between the digital and physical in drug markets and harm reduction using concept of “digital-physical hybridity...

🚨 Call for papers 🚨
NEW SPECIAL ISSUE on "Digital-physical hybridity in drug markets and harm reduction" guest-edited by @monicabarratt.bsky.social @thomasfriissogaard.bsky.social & Robin van der Sanden.

Abstracts are due September 20!

🔗 www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/calls-for-pa...

Support. Don’t Punish: Advancing towards a health and human rights-based approach to drug policy This event will explore how harm reduction and human rights can shape drug policy reform, against the backdrop of debates on the matter at the Human Rights Council and the Support. Don't Punish Global Day of Action.

Join us for a discussion on #HarmReduction, the #RightToHealth & #DrugPolicyReform at #HRC59.

🗓️ Fri. 27 June 2025
📍 Geneva / Online
#SupportDontPunish 

More info:

Global drug policy: How to win the war? Former Presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, outline how multilateral cooperation and policy change can ...

The #GCDP will hold an event on global drug policy, public health & intl cooperation:

📅 30 June 2025, 6:30pm – 7:30pm GMT
📍 @chathamhouse.org‬ & Online
🔗 Registration required: tinyurl.com/5n6bea5j

Comm'rs Santos, Arbour & Zedillo will explore evidence-based responses to today’s drug challenges.

2025 Annual Conference - Drug Research Network Scotland On the 5th June 2025, DRNS hosted its Annual Conference at Dundee University.  The day focussed on knowledge exchange and provided an opportunity for academic researchers, practitioners and…

On 5 June 2025, DRNS held its Annual Conference at the University of Dundee, bringing together academic researchers, practitioners and clinicians, third sector representatives, and people with living/lived experience to hear and share research.
👉 Read the event report here:

📢Calling all ECRs and PhD students! Applications for conference funding support will close this Friday!

🚨 DEADLINE EXTENDED
📣 We are offering bursaries (up to £300) to support early career researchers and PhD students to attend or present at conferences related to drugs research.

📅 Applications close Friday 27th June 2025

📝 Apply here: buff.ly/gmcuxbm

📣 We are offering bursaries (up to £300) to support early career researchers and PhD students to attend or present at conferences related to drugs research.

📅 Applications close Friday 20th June 2025

📝 Apply here: buff.ly/gmcuxbm

@drnscot.bsky.social @scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social Attending the DRNS Annual Conference today in Dundee! Looking forward to the parallel sessions on many interesting topics. We’re in the foyer with resources all day.

Pleased our paper is out today: relational influences on help-seeking for mental health and substance use among marginalised people bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/6/e090349.full

We present follow on research with justice-involved ppl @ DRNS conference later @drnscot.bsky.social

Team ⬇️

#JusticeHealth

Excited to be attending the Drugs Research Network Scotland annual conference today in Dundee. Looking forward to hearing from a variety of speakers sharing research across drug policy, treatment, and substance use. @drnscot.bsky.social

🗣️ We've published a summary from our "Meaningful Engagement with Community Stakeholders in Research" event — a deep dive into experiences and practices of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in research in Scotland.

Full report here: buff.ly/zCM8bpB

📣 We are offering bursaries (up to £300) to support early career researchers and PhD students to attend or present at conferences related to drugs research.

📅 Applications close Friday 20th June 2025

📝 Apply here: buff.ly/gmcuxbm

📣 Just 1 more week until "Mothers and Substance Use"✨

📅 22 May 2025
🕘 10:00 - 13:00
📍 Hybrid: Edinburgh or Online

Sign up here: buff.ly/IibjGN5
Programme below⬇️

📣 We’re inviting poster abstract submissions for our 2025 Annual Conference!✨

We will print and bring the posters to the venue! Submit your abstract to mcalnan@ed.ac.uk

Full details below⬇️

Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report Scotland - Adulteration of heroin with nitazene-type opioids continues to be reported through RADAR reports and WEDINOS. - publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

University of Edinburgh is leading on a new study exploring the effects of attachment and care experience on intergenerational substance use, and are looking for people with experience of their own or a parent’s substance use, and with care experience.
edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Drug Policy Researchers! Don't forget to submit your policy-relevant drug research poster abstract by April 30th so you can present your findings at our upcoming Reform Conference
in Detroit! More information here: reformconference.org/research

🎙️ You're invited! Join us virtually for the Together for Families Conference on Monday 28 April at 11am 💛

Hear from experts + lived experience on whole-family support.

🧠 Keynotes + Phoenix Futures service talks
🔗 Register your free place: zurl.co/BhLvx
#TogetherForFamilies #PhoenixFutures

On your marks, get set...GROW! 🌱

Applications for our GROW 2025 Researcher Development Programme for #mentalhealth and #addiction early career researchers are now open. ‍💫

APPLY NOW 👇

mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/grow25/

📣 Join us for our upcoming events!✨

👩‍👧 Mothers and Substance Use
📅 22 May 2025
📍 Edinburgh or Online via Teams
🔗Register here: buff.ly/YvOoi0k

🗣️ Annual Conference 2025
📅 5 June 2025
📍 Dundee
🔗Register here: buff.ly/Y4lwDNo

🌟 We’re excited to announce the first speaker for our upcoming event on Mothers and Substance Use — Dr. Miriam Boeri!

📅 22 May 2025
🕘 10:00 - 13:00
📍 Hybrid: Edinburgh or Online

Registration➡️ buff.ly/CQSgQPG
📥 Email mcalnan@ed.ac.uk if there are issues registering on Eventbrite

If costs are a barrier to attending the conference, please reach out to mcalnan@ed.ac.uk

📣 We are excited to announce our next conference keynote speaker: Dr. Rob Calder, Chief Executive Officer of the Society for the Study of Addiction. @robcalder.bsky.social

📅 5 June 2025
📍 Dundee
➡️ Registration: buff.ly/MqF422x