Every year, on 31 August, communities across more than 40 countries come together to mark International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the world’s largest campaign dedicated to ending overdose. Led since 2012 by the Penington Institute, a public health non-profit, IOAD began as a single event and has since grown into a global day of action. […]

Hallucinogens, sometimes referred to as psychedelics, are a group of substances that alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often producing intense sensory experiences that can be unpredictable and, in some cases, psychologically distressing. While often perceived as less harmful than other controlled drugs, hallucinogens are a persistent feature of the drug landscape across Europe. According […]

Observed annually on 26 June, International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – also known as World Drug Day – is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the global impact of drug misuse and the illicit trade that drives it. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1987, the day brings together governments, […]

Hair drug testing occupies a unique position in forensic toxicology. Unlike urine or oral fluid (saliva) – which detect only recent consumption – hair analysis provides a retrospective record of drug exposure spanning weeks or months. This makes it a particularly powerful tool in family court proceedings, where establishing patterns of behaviour is often central […]

Finding out you’re expecting a baby can bring a mixture of emotions. For some, that includes uncertainty about paternity; a situation that’s far more common than many people realise, and one that can bring significant emotional strain. In the past, establishing paternity meant waiting until after the baby was born. Today, advances in genetic science […]

Every summer, thousands of people across Ireland head to fields, parks, and arenas to take part in one of the country’s most beloved summer traditions: the music festival. For many attendees, festivals are a positive, memorable experience. But alongside the music and the shared sense of occasion, festival season also brings a well-documented rise in […]

Drug and alcohol misuse is a common feature in family court proceedings, with implications for safeguarding, contact, and parenting capacity. Laboratory testing can provide vital evidence, but only when the right method is selected. Different tests detect different substances over different timeframes. A test that’s too specific, too broad, or poorly matched to the case […]