Ian Hamilton

Jan 13, 2025 | theconversation.com | Ian Hamilton |Harry Sumnall

It has taken more than ten years of wrangling, but the UK’s first legal drug-consumption facility has finally opened in Glasgow. These facilities offer a safe, clean place for people to use illicit drugs, usually by injection, in the presence of health professionals. It is hoped that the facility in Glasgow, called The Thistle, will reduce drug-related overdoses (Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe) and reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses, such as HIV.

Jan 13, 2025 | independent.co.uk | Ian Hamilton

CommentThe Home Office’s tougher stance on ketamine will not affect its allure – it could even enhance it, writes drug expert Ian HamiltonThe Home Office has asked its expert advisors to consider reclassifying ketamine from a class B to a class A drug. It has become increasingly popular in recent years and is now the party drug of choice. Ketamine was previously reclassified from class C to class B in 2014, and since then, the number of users has continued to rise.

Oct 24, 2024 | medicalxpress.com | Ian Hamilton |Harry Sumnall

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:Deaths from drug use in England and Wales have risen by 11%, according to the latest annual data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2023, there were 5,448 fatalities (93 deaths per million people)—the highest number of drug-related deaths since records began in 1993.

Oct 23, 2024 | theconversation.com | Ian Hamilton |Harry Sumnall

Deaths from drug use in England and Wales have risen by 11%, according to the latest annual data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2023, there were 5,448 fatalities (93 deaths per million people) – the highest number of drug-related deaths since records began in 1993. Over half these deaths involved opiates, such as heroin and morphine. The highest rate of deaths from opiate misuse was among those aged between 40 and 49 years old.

Sep 29, 2024 | medicalxpress.com | Ian Hamilton |Harry Sumnall

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:There is growing awareness of the problems caused by the use of a fast-acting drug called ketamine. Often referred to as K or ket, it was made a class B drug in the UK in 2014 and is illegal to buy or sell. Possessing the drug can lead to a maximum five-year prison sentence and supplying the drug up to 14 years in prison.