Research You Can Use

Cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines all raise the risk of stroke significantly. That is the central finding of the largest study ever conducted on recreational drugs and stroke risk, drawing on data from more than 100 million people. Researchers at the University of Cambridge published their findings in the International Journal of Stroke in March 2026. The study […]

Over half a million people. Fifty-five rigorous studies. One remarkably consistent finding. Spirituality and drug prevention are now firmly linked by science, and a landmark Harvard study has put hard numbers to it. People who engage in spiritual practices are significantly less likely to misuse alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs. Researchers at Harvard T.H.

A groundbreaking study from The University of Texas at Arlington has revealed a disturbing reality: one in four American adolescents is exposed to violence in their neighbourhood. Moreover, these young people are more than twice as likely to turn to cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs as a coping mechanism. This pattern of teen substance use represents

‘A large phase 3 trial in Nature Medicine has delivered a ‘stronger’ clinical signal that a proprietary cannabis extract, VER-01, can modestly reduce chronic low back pain – but the effect is small, side effects are common, and broader evidence from other pain conditions remains weak and inconsistent. Experts say the findings should temper rather than fuel

A fentanyl vaccine will enter human trials in early 2026, offering a revolutionary approach to preventing drug use before it starts. Developed with support from the US Department of Defence and licensed by ARMR Sciences, the experimental treatment could become the first true biological deterrent against opioid use by making the drug completely ineffective. The

Abstract: Background Driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs contributes significantly to road traffic crashes worldwide. This study explored trends of alcohol, methylamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in road crashes from 2010 to 2019 in Victoria, Australia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and

  Originating in the US, Communities that Care is a public health prevention framework that has been operating in Australia for 25 years. Over 30 Local Government Areas have used the framework to reduce alcohol consumption, injuries and crime. In the US it has been used to also reduce smoking, cannabis and depression. An Australian

The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across Canada and beyond, with recent research highlighting alarming treatment retention failures that underscore why prevention must be our primary defence. A comprehensive study examining opioid agonist therapy amongst First Nations people in Ontario reveals shocking statistics that every family, educator, and community leader must understand. The Stark

Overview: This Policy Proposal has been designed for Australia with the hard learned lessons from other jurisdictions in mind. Ensuring faux claims of perceived manageability are addressed. Not only has there been considerable consultation with health, legal and policy professionals, but with the voice of the vast silent majority of non-substance users being heard. Informing