Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · 1d

🍃 Green threads - Weaving stories of nature and recovery ✨

New film from Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research shares the success stories of people who have used nature in their recovery from substance use. Project led by University of Stirling.

Full video: buff.ly/q17qOES

Green threads - Weaving stories of nature and recovery (subtitled)

A documentary film that shares the success stories of people who have used nature in their recovery from substance use. This short film features people attending…

vimeo.com

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 2d

🌟We're hiring!

Communications Officer
FT 37.5 hours
£34,043 – £38,824
Closes 17 October 2025

Are you passionate about bringing people, services & organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience?

scottishrecovery.net/were-looking...

We're looking for a Communications Officer to join our team! - Scottish Recovery Network

Are you passionate about bringing people, services and organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience.

scottishrecovery.net

1

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · 8d

📣 Call for papers!✨

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Journal has opened a call for manuscripts for a special issue on: Including lived experience in substance use research

Submit an abstract by 31 October 2025

More info here:

Including lived experience in substance use research

Submit a Manuscript to the Journal

buff.ly

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Scottish Recovery Network @scotrecoverynet.bsky.social · 16d

🌟 We’re looking for a Communications Officer to join our team!

Full time (37.5 hours)
£34,043 – £38,824

Are you passionate about bringing people, services & organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience?

scottishrecovery.net/were-looking...

We're looking for a Communications Officer to join our team! - Scottish Recovery Network

Are you passionate about bringing people, services and organisations together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience.

scottishrecovery.net

2

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

NHS Research Scotland @nhsresearchscotland.org.uk · 15d

Applications are now open for the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government's NHS Researcher Development Fellowship.

The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 17 December 🔗 https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/fellowship-funding/csonhsrdf/

Promotional banner for NHS Researcher Development Fellowship by Chief Scientist Office, featuring two healthcare professionals smiling and conversing, with details about the fellowship and a deadline posted as 17 December. Additional link to read more at www.cso.scot.nhs.uk. Text reads: "The NHS Researcher Development Fellowship is an introductory fellowship aimed at NHS employees currently working as a Nurse, Midwife, Allied Health Professional, Pharmacist, Healthcare Scientist or other in a clinical role to enable them to explore research as part of their existing NHS role."

1 1

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · 15d

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

Applications will remain open until allocated funding has been awarded

📝 Apply here: buff.ly/J1tVKbe

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · Aug 28

☕️SHAAP's latest media monitor is here🥳

Read the latest #AlcoholNews and #AlcoholResearch from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and around the 🌎

Read here: mailchi.mp/rcpe/shaap-m...
Subscribe: shaap.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

1 1

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Rebecca Foster @drrebeccafoster.bsky.social · Aug 19

Spending the morning at the @stir.ac.uk at this great @drnscot.bsky.social event on young people and substance use. A great line up which includes presentations from @sacasrstir.bsky.social former colleagues!

2 4

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · Aug 18

🔊Don't miss our next Alcohol Occasional with
@sarnalcohol.bsky.social !

Register now for the upcoming seminar on Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme.

12.45 - 2pm, Mon 1 Sep 2025, online

👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-oc...

4 5

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Scottish Families in Inverclyde @sfadinverclydefss.bsky.social · Aug 19

💜International Overdose Awareness Day – 31 August 2025 💜

NALOXONE TRAINING

📅 Friday 29 August 2025
🕧 12:30pm – 2:00pm
📍 The Salvation Army, Port Glasgow King Street

2 1

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Rebecca Foster @drrebeccafoster.bsky.social · Aug 19

Woop woop getting to hear this in presentation form from the very talented Danilo Falzon, @sacasrstir.bsky.social Research Assistant and @socscinapier.bsky.social PhD student!

1 4 8

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Aug 19

📣 Rapid Review by Danilo Falzon is now live!✨

Preventing Substance Use-Related Harms Among Young People in Scotland: Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Systems Solutions

Read the review here: buff.ly/Z5qmpte

3 3

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Public Health Scotland @publichealthscot.bsky.social · Aug 12

🚨 New RADAR alert re nitazines and synthetic opioids detected in Scotland’s unregulated drug supply.

👉 Read more about increasing availability, rising harms, and continuing concern.
publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/au...

Purple background with text 'RADAR, Rapid action drug alerts and response. Scotland's Drugs Early Warning System. on the left is a green and yellow radar symbol

4 3

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Public Health Scotland @publichealthscot.bsky.social · Jul 15

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...

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

1 2

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Public Health Scotland @publichealthscot.bsky.social · Jul 29

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...

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.

2 1

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Public Health Scotland @publichealthscot.bsky.social · Jul 29

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...

1 3 2

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Sacro @sacroscotland.bsky.social · Jul 31

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.

1 3 2

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Jun 27

Applications will close at the end of the day today!

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Jun 19

🚨 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

1

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Jun 26

📣 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

Young People and Substance Use

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

www.eventbrite.com

1

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Adam Holland @holla-adam.bsky.social · Jun 24

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!

7 2

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Drugs Habits and Social Policy @dhspolicy.bsky.social · Jun 24

🚨 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...

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...

www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com

3 2

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · Jun 25

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

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

More info:

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.

idpc.net

1 3

Reposted by Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS)

Global Commission on Drug Policy @globalcdp.bsky.social · Jun 25

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.

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 ...

tinyurl.com

1

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Jun 24

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:

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…

buff.ly

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Jun 23

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

Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) @drnscot.bsky.social · Jun 19

🚨 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