This week brought bad news about ketamine use among young people. Alcohol policy also made news with new label ideas and ad rules being talked about. For employers, the ketamine crisis is a serious workplace safety worry.
Ketamine Crisis Hits New Heights
The worst story comes from Cheshire. Local councils report being “hit hard” by a ketamine crisis. Children as young as 12 are at risk. Health staff warn of “life-changing” effects from long use. Even 13-year-olds are now selling the drug.
This isn’t just a local problem. The BBC looked at ketamine’s medical uses for treating bad depression in the NHS. This makes a tricky story around this Class B drug. Professor Owen Bowden-Jones put it well. He talked about the “twin stories” of growing medical interest and rising worries about illegal use.
For employers, ketamine makes testing hard. It hurts coordination and thinking. This makes it very risky in safety jobs. Yet its medical use makes workplace rules harder to write. The drug’s growing use among young people means more cases will enter the workforce.
Alcohol Policy Changes Pick Up Speed
Alcohol ruled policy talks this week. Health Minister Wes Streeting is looking at ad limits. These would be like junk food rules. This follows pressure from health groups. They’ve written to Keir Starmer asking for must-have cancer risk warnings on alcohol products.
Tougher alcohol policies aren’t just happening in England. Ireland’s Enterprise Minister wants delays to must-have health warning labels. Edinburgh Council cut limits on alcohol licences. This happened despite police and NHS being against it.
Scotland still faces big problems. New data shows alcohol use 50% above safe limits. Poor communities are hit hardest.
Young People’s Drinking Patterns
Research shows Generation Z aren’t the “booze haters” we thought. Young drinkers actually party for longer periods. They’re going for “bolder, stronger options”. Drinks companies are trying to catch up with changing wants.
This challenges what we thought about falling youth alcohol use. It shows employers may need to keep strong alcohol testing rules. This matters as this group enters the workforce.
Vaping Worries Grow
The tobacco and vaping world saw big changes this week. Some cheap vapes may release more toxic metals than regular cigarettes. New research shows this. Also, an exploding vape caused a big fire in Gainsborough. It damaged houses and showed new safety risks.
The WHO warned that vapes threaten progress in fighting tobacco dangers. They’re calling for higher cigarette taxes and graphic warnings on vaping products.
Global Drug Markets and New Threats
The UN’s 2025 World Drug Report painted a dark picture. Despite huge law efforts, drug markets keep growing. They’re failing to protect public health.
Worth noting is “pink cocaine” or “tusi”. This party drug is showing up everywhere. It rarely has actual cocaine despite its name. New studies showed how fake opioids and designer benzos link to driving problems.
China said it will control all nitazene drugs starting July 1st. This tackles growing worries about these strong fake opioids.
What This Means for Workplaces
This week’s news shows several key points for employers. The ketamine crisis among youth means this drug will show up more in workplace testing. Its dual medical and fun use makes policy problems that need careful handling.
The changing alcohol world shows why good testing programmes matter. This includes policy changes and shifting use patterns. Also, new fake drugs and changing vaping products show the need for flexible, up-to-date testing plans.
For employers worried about these growing problems, ZoomTesting gives good saliva and urine drug testing answers. These can find the drugs most likely to endanger workplace safety. Our team stays current with changing drug trends. This makes sure your testing programme works against both old and new threats.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
Need help updating your workplace drug testing strategy? Drop us a line – we’ve been watching these trends for years and can help you stay ahead of them. Contact us now to find out more.
