Prof Harry Sumnall
@profhrs.bsky.social
Prof of Substance Use at the School of Psychology, and Public Health Institute, LJMU (UK) - Drug research, policy, and culture. Member of ACMD. Advisor to Anti Stigma Network, ISSUP https://profiles.ljmu.ac.uk/1416-harry-sumnall
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
We co-developed a resource with people with living experience of using pharmacies for substance use services, to support pharmacy teams to better understand what it feels like & reduce stigma. Free, just need to download. Please do share:
express-licences.bristol.ac.uk/product/voic...
express-licences.bristol.ac.uk/product/voic...
Voice of the Voiceless - Bristol
express-licences.bristol.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
We co-developed a resource with people with living experience of using pharmacies for substance use services, to support pharmacy teams to better understand what it feels like & reduce stigma. Free, just need to download. Please do share:
express-licences.bristol.ac.uk/product/voic...
express-licences.bristol.ac.uk/product/voic...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
First human PK data from a novel psychedelic (bretisilocin) just published. Massive landmark in psychedelic drug development.
> Looks good on standard measures.
> Fast onset (20-30 mins) and washout (2 hours). Maybe the perfect drug for psychedelic therapy?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
> Looks good on standard measures.
> Fast onset (20-30 mins) and washout (2 hours). Maybe the perfect drug for psychedelic therapy?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
A novel psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonist GM-2505: The pharmacokinetic, safety, and pharmacodynamic profile from a randomized trial healthy volunteer - Gerard J. Marek, Soma Makai-Bölöni, Daniel Umb...
Background: The treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) with available antidepressant drugs is characterized by considerable ineffectiveness. Classical psy...
journals.sagepub.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:01 AM
First human PK data from a novel psychedelic (bretisilocin) just published. Massive landmark in psychedelic drug development.
> Looks good on standard measures.
> Fast onset (20-30 mins) and washout (2 hours). Maybe the perfect drug for psychedelic therapy?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
> Looks good on standard measures.
> Fast onset (20-30 mins) and washout (2 hours). Maybe the perfect drug for psychedelic therapy?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
Lecturer in Criminology at University of Sheffield
Apply for the Lecturer in Criminology role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
share.google
October 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
I wrote a piece about the rise of “pink cocaine”, a drug for the modern age, in Colombia, Spain and now in the UK.
unherd.com/2025/10/why-...
unherd.com/2025/10/why-...
October 2, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I wrote a piece about the rise of “pink cocaine”, a drug for the modern age, in Colombia, Spain and now in the UK.
unherd.com/2025/10/why-...
unherd.com/2025/10/why-...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
Opportunity to join our team as a drug related deaths admin and research support officer (closing date 09/10/25). jobs.ljmu.ac.uk/vacancy/drug...
Drug Related Deaths Admin and Research Support Officer (0.8fte) Fixed term (5169)
jobs.ljmu.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Opportunity to join our team as a drug related deaths admin and research support officer (closing date 09/10/25). jobs.ljmu.ac.uk/vacancy/drug...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
@profhrs.bsky.social & I sopke to @marthagill.bsky.social for this piece observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Britain is not yet an opioid nation but rising drug death...
Policymakers are alert to the growing menace of opioids, if not to the most effective solutions
observer.co.uk
September 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
@profhrs.bsky.social & I sopke to @marthagill.bsky.social for this piece observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
🚨 Think you can stay one step ahead of emerging drug threats?
We’re hiring a Scientific analyst (AD 6) to help operate and develop the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances.
📅 Apply by 17 October: euda.europa.eu/calls/2025/ad202506_en
#EUCareers
We’re hiring a Scientific analyst (AD 6) to help operate and develop the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances.
📅 Apply by 17 October: euda.europa.eu/calls/2025/ad202506_en
#EUCareers
September 19, 2025 at 10:07 AM
🚨 Think you can stay one step ahead of emerging drug threats?
We’re hiring a Scientific analyst (AD 6) to help operate and develop the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances.
📅 Apply by 17 October: euda.europa.eu/calls/2025/ad202506_en
#EUCareers
We’re hiring a Scientific analyst (AD 6) to help operate and develop the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances.
📅 Apply by 17 October: euda.europa.eu/calls/2025/ad202506_en
#EUCareers
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
New CPD-accredited training from the Anti-Stigma Network & Adfam: tackling stigma around substance use. For frontline staff working with individuals and families.
📅 Wed 19 Nov 2025, 9.30–3.30 (online via Zoom) 🎟️ £95 members / £110 non-members 🔗 Book here: zurl.co/jAXsO
Questions: admin@adfam.org.uk
📅 Wed 19 Nov 2025, 9.30–3.30 (online via Zoom) 🎟️ £95 members / £110 non-members 🔗 Book here: zurl.co/jAXsO
Questions: admin@adfam.org.uk
September 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New CPD-accredited training from the Anti-Stigma Network & Adfam: tackling stigma around substance use. For frontline staff working with individuals and families.
📅 Wed 19 Nov 2025, 9.30–3.30 (online via Zoom) 🎟️ £95 members / £110 non-members 🔗 Book here: zurl.co/jAXsO
Questions: admin@adfam.org.uk
📅 Wed 19 Nov 2025, 9.30–3.30 (online via Zoom) 🎟️ £95 members / £110 non-members 🔗 Book here: zurl.co/jAXsO
Questions: admin@adfam.org.uk
The ACMD has just published its call for evidence on cannabis-based products for medicinal use in the United Kingdom, as part of its ongoing review. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Cannabis-based products for medicinal use
Call for evidence to support ACMD's review of changes to legislation on the use of cannabis-based products for medicinal purposes (CBPMs).
www.gov.uk
September 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The ACMD has just published its call for evidence on cannabis-based products for medicinal use in the United Kingdom, as part of its ongoing review. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
I seem to have been discussing pilot and feasibility studies a lot this week. One question often asked is how big should my pilot/feasibility study be? 1/6
#MethodologyMonday #124
#MethodologyMonday #124
September 8, 2025 at 6:42 AM
I seem to have been discussing pilot and feasibility studies a lot this week. One question often asked is how big should my pilot/feasibility study be? 1/6
#MethodologyMonday #124
#MethodologyMonday #124
Pleased to see that the 30th Royal College of General Practitioners & Addiction Professionals 'Managing Addictions in Primary Care Conference' will be held in Liverpool 26-27 February 2026
rcgp.my.site.com/s/lt-event?i...
rcgp.my.site.com/s/lt-event?i...
Community
rcgp.my.site.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Pleased to see that the 30th Royal College of General Practitioners & Addiction Professionals 'Managing Addictions in Primary Care Conference' will be held in Liverpool 26-27 February 2026
rcgp.my.site.com/s/lt-event?i...
rcgp.my.site.com/s/lt-event?i...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
This is a great summary of how the tobacco industry weaponises the illicit market to serve their own agenda.
🚨 Our latest blog unpacks how the tobacco industry exploits concern about illicit tobacco to protect their profits and delay progress towards a smokefree future: ash.org.uk/media-centre...
👀Stay tuned this week for our posts breaking down industry tactics, explaining how they distract and deceive.
👀Stay tuned this week for our posts breaking down industry tactics, explaining how they distract and deceive.
From smuggling to spin: how tobacco giants hijacked the illicit trade debate - ASH
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.
ash.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 8:58 AM
This is a great summary of how the tobacco industry weaponises the illicit market to serve their own agenda.
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
🔊Register now for our upcoming seminar on Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme.
12.45 - 2pm, Mon 1 Sep 2025 @sarnalcohol.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-oc...
12.45 - 2pm, Mon 1 Sep 2025 @sarnalcohol.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-oc...
Alcohol Occasional 3: Scotland’s first Managed Alcohol Programme
Join us online for our third seminar of the 2025 series, delivered by Dr Emma King, Dr Hannah Carver and Jessica Greenhalgh.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
🔊Register now for our upcoming seminar on Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme.
12.45 - 2pm, Mon 1 Sep 2025 @sarnalcohol.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-oc...
12.45 - 2pm, Mon 1 Sep 2025 @sarnalcohol.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-oc...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
New paper published by Dr Victoria Marland and colleagues, an evaluation of nitazene test strips. Their conclusions recommend caution when used in front-line testing, and highlight false positive results associated with the presence of caffeine
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Evaluation of nitazene immunoassay test strips for rapid in-situ detection of nitazene and nitazene analogs in illicit drug samples - Harm Reduction Journal
Background The detection of nitazene compounds in the United Kingdom has raised concerns among healthcare professionals, public health authorities, and law enforcement due to the increased risk of fat...
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
New paper published by Dr Victoria Marland and colleagues, an evaluation of nitazene test strips. Their conclusions recommend caution when used in front-line testing, and highlight false positive results associated with the presence of caffeine
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
Want to contribute to the ACMD review of ketamine related harms? Then why not participate in the call for evidence. Closes 19th August. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Ketamine harms assessment
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is calling for evidence on ketamine use, harms and interventions.
www.gov.uk
August 8, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Want to contribute to the ACMD review of ketamine related harms? Then why not participate in the call for evidence. Closes 19th August. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
@adfam.bsky.social and Collective Voice are excited to announce the launch of a brand-new group, bringing together organisations supporting #families affected by #substance use and individuals with lived experience, to work together to improve support. www.collectivevoice.org.uk/news/introdu...
Introducing: The New Collective Voice Affected Others Group! - Collective Voice
Adfam and Collective Voice are excited to announce the launch of a brand-new group, bringing together organisations supporting families affected by substance use and individuals with lived experience, to work together to improve support for affected others.
www.collectivevoice.org.uk
August 7, 2025 at 8:46 AM
@adfam.bsky.social and Collective Voice are excited to announce the launch of a brand-new group, bringing together organisations supporting #families affected by #substance use and individuals with lived experience, to work together to improve support. www.collectivevoice.org.uk/news/introdu...
Offering financial incentives (including contingency management models) is an effective way to reduce substance use, particularly nicotine and alcohol. There's some emerging evidence around use of incentives for other drugs such as opioids and stimulants academic.oup.com/ntr/article/...
Financial Incentives for Substance Abstinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
AbstractIntroduction. Substance use disorder (SUD) increased by 45% globally in the past 10 years, representing one of the largest increases in risk factor
academic.oup.com
August 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Offering financial incentives (including contingency management models) is an effective way to reduce substance use, particularly nicotine and alcohol. There's some emerging evidence around use of incentives for other drugs such as opioids and stimulants academic.oup.com/ntr/article/...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
It seems I will feature in a few of the forthcoming episodes of the new 12-part BBC Radio 4 documentary about #psychedelics called "The Trip", which runs across two weeks starting next Monday, at 13:45 daily, Mon-Fri.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Understand, The Trip - Episode guide
All episodes of The Trip
www.bbc.co.uk
July 31, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It seems I will feature in a few of the forthcoming episodes of the new 12-part BBC Radio 4 documentary about #psychedelics called "The Trip", which runs across two weeks starting next Monday, at 13:45 daily, Mon-Fri.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
I've written a piece for @addiction-ssa.org on Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring it's current role - and tensions - within the current recovery landscape 90 years after its first meetings were held. Please share 🙏
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
July 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I've written a piece for @addiction-ssa.org on Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring it's current role - and tensions - within the current recovery landscape 90 years after its first meetings were held. Please share 🙏
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
*PARTICIPANTS*
Have you been out /worked in bars, pubs, and clubs in Liverpool City Centre in the past 12 months? We want to hear about your perceptions of safety for LGBTQIA+ people in straight nightlife in Liverpool. You will be compensated for your valuable time. PM or email E.Hearne@ljmu.ac.uk
Have you been out /worked in bars, pubs, and clubs in Liverpool City Centre in the past 12 months? We want to hear about your perceptions of safety for LGBTQIA+ people in straight nightlife in Liverpool. You will be compensated for your valuable time. PM or email E.Hearne@ljmu.ac.uk
July 17, 2025 at 8:15 AM
*PARTICIPANTS*
Have you been out /worked in bars, pubs, and clubs in Liverpool City Centre in the past 12 months? We want to hear about your perceptions of safety for LGBTQIA+ people in straight nightlife in Liverpool. You will be compensated for your valuable time. PM or email E.Hearne@ljmu.ac.uk
Have you been out /worked in bars, pubs, and clubs in Liverpool City Centre in the past 12 months? We want to hear about your perceptions of safety for LGBTQIA+ people in straight nightlife in Liverpool. You will be compensated for your valuable time. PM or email E.Hearne@ljmu.ac.uk
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
Drum roll please...
Today I’m so excited to launch a new global network – Tackling Stigma in Healthcare.
Check out the website: tacklingstigmainhealthcare.com
Today I’m so excited to launch a new global network – Tackling Stigma in Healthcare.
Check out the website: tacklingstigmainhealthcare.com
Tackling Stigma in Healthcare
tacklingstigmainhealthcare.com
July 17, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Drum roll please...
Today I’m so excited to launch a new global network – Tackling Stigma in Healthcare.
Check out the website: tacklingstigmainhealthcare.com
Today I’m so excited to launch a new global network – Tackling Stigma in Healthcare.
Check out the website: tacklingstigmainhealthcare.com
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
Psychedelics in mental health: still a field full of hype, hope… & huge gaps in evidence buff.ly/nBGYa3B
New blog by leading experts sets out 5 priorities to move the field forward — from better trial design to preparing health systems. Let’s unpack them 👇
🧵 THREAD
#Psychedelics #MentalHealth
New blog by leading experts sets out 5 priorities to move the field forward — from better trial design to preparing health systems. Let’s unpack them 👇
🧵 THREAD
#Psychedelics #MentalHealth
July 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Psychedelics in mental health: still a field full of hype, hope… & huge gaps in evidence buff.ly/nBGYa3B
New blog by leading experts sets out 5 priorities to move the field forward — from better trial design to preparing health systems. Let’s unpack them 👇
🧵 THREAD
#Psychedelics #MentalHealth
New blog by leading experts sets out 5 priorities to move the field forward — from better trial design to preparing health systems. Let’s unpack them 👇
🧵 THREAD
#Psychedelics #MentalHealth
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
Our latest [open access] paper evaluated what happened to drug-related mortality risk among people with opioid dependence in Scotland during the Covid-19 pandemic. In short, they stabilised (at a very high level), and OAT remained highly protective. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Risk of drug-related mortality among people receiving opioid-agonist treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland
The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in delivery of opioid-agonist treatment (OAT) and risk of drug-related harm in Scotland. This study aimed to (i) …
www.sciencedirect.com
July 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Our latest [open access] paper evaluated what happened to drug-related mortality risk among people with opioid dependence in Scotland during the Covid-19 pandemic. In short, they stabilised (at a very high level), and OAT remained highly protective. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
“At this stage, no clinical evidence of injection nor symptoms suggesting the administration of a psychoactive substance have been found."
Most of the media regurgitated the scare story about needle attacks at a Paris festival.
At Vice we found no evidence to back up a similar scare story that went viral in the UK in 2022.
Looks like Le Monde have done the leg work and come to a similar conclusion
www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/ar...
At Vice we found no evidence to back up a similar scare story that went viral in the UK in 2022.
Looks like Le Monde have done the leg work and come to a similar conclusion
www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/ar...
Syringe attacks at France-wide music event: How panic spread on social media
After the evening of Fête de la Musique, nearly 145 suspected cases of 'random syringe attacks' were reported. Yet, to date, not a single case of drug injection has been confirmed.
www.lemonde.fr
July 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
“At this stage, no clinical evidence of injection nor symptoms suggesting the administration of a psychoactive substance have been found."
Reposted by Prof Harry Sumnall
New publication! ‘Exposure to #alcohol content in the media is a factor in experimenting with alcohol and continued use. This review extends this view to consider #SocialNorms and #SocialIdentity as a potential pathway through which alcohol marketing exerts its effect’
www.mdpi.com/3391466
www.mdpi.com/3391466
July 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
New publication! ‘Exposure to #alcohol content in the media is a factor in experimenting with alcohol and continued use. This review extends this view to consider #SocialNorms and #SocialIdentity as a potential pathway through which alcohol marketing exerts its effect’
www.mdpi.com/3391466
www.mdpi.com/3391466