NHS D&G Public Health

12/02/2026

As part of Safer Internet Day, Dumfries Community Officers were in The Loreburne Centre speaking to the public about how to stay safe online & how to avoid becoming the victim pf scammers.

12/02/2026

11/02/2026

A long read from our To***co Control Practitioner....

For those of you who don't know, my role is working in prevention and early intervention with young people across D&G to try reduce the number of young people starting to use tobacco/ni****ne products. As well as sharing the most up to date information to help them make the right choice, the best part of my job is listening to the young people themselves about their views and feelings on the topic.

Sometimes the young people don't want to give me (the person they think will take away their v**e - a power I do NOT hold!)their honest views. So I've introduced an "Honesty Box" into my sessions with secondary pupils. The ask is that they tell me if they smoke/v**e/use pouches, and why/how it makes them feel. For those not using them, I ask them to tell me how they feel about others using them. They just have to give me an honest and anonymous message.

These are the slips from the first day introducing this idea. There was a lot of "I don't use them, and don't care if other people are".

But some others that stood out were:

"My mum v**es and I really worry about her damaging her lungs"

"I hate when I go to the toilet at break and it's full of v**ers"

"I did try it once because I was curious"

This one stood out, despite hearing it from young people all the time, seeing it written down was quite sad...

"I v**e because it helps me cope when things get hard".

These might look like little bits of paper to most, but to me, it's what will shape future sessions and focus in on what's actually relevant to our young people in the region.

We all have a responsibility to help these kids build resilience and coping mechanisms that don't involve ni****ne and toxic chemicals.

Rebecca ☺️

11/02/2026

Keep warm in the cold weather 🌡️

Cold weather affects the body and can make us unwell, so follow these simple tips to keep yourself warm to help avoid health problems.

♨️ If you can, heat the rooms you regularly use to at least 18°C
🧣 Wear several layers of thinner clothing instead of one thick layer
🚶 Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so

🤝 For more advice on how to keep warm at home, including information on support and potential funding, visit: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/

Find out more advice on NHS Inform: nhsinform.scot/cold-weather

11/02/2026

By stopping smoking, your health will benefit but you will also save money.
🤝 Get help with free support.
Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the Quit Your Way Scotland advice and support service is here to help.
📱 QuitYourWay.scot | 01556 505 713

10/02/2026

This week is Children's Mental Health Week.

Our Enabling Conversations toolkit is a guide created by and for young people to find help and support when experiencing painful feelings about su***de.

Find more at the link in the comments.

06/02/2026

Stopping smoking is tough.
Often it can take a few attempts. Do you want to stop smoking for good but don’t know how? Get help with free support. You don’t have to do it alone.
🤝The free Quit Your Way Scotland advice and support service is here to help.
📱QuitYourWay.scot | 01556 505 713

06/02/2026

Public Health Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway ADP advise anyone who is using street drugs, or supporting someone else who is, to assume that they are contaminated with other drugs.

RADAR have published two new national drug alerts.

‼️New xylazine-type drug - medetomidine‼️
Medetomidine, a xylazine-type veterinary sedative, has recently emerged in Scotland.
- It is likely to be encountered unknowingly and has most commonly been detected in drugs sold as he**in and benzodiazepines.
Read the alert on medetomidine: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-alert-new-xylazine-type-drug-medetomidine/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-alert-new-xylazine-type-drug-medetomidine/public-health-alert-for-action-new-xylazine-type-drug-medetomidine/

‼️New benzodiazepines‼️
The street benzodiazepine market is changing, with new substances appearing and previously detected benzodiazepines re-emerging.
- The latest RADAR quarterly report identified clonazolam (very potent) as the most commonly detected ‘street benzo’.
Read the alert on new benzodiazepines: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-alert-new-benzodiazepines-in-scotland/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-alert-new-benzodiazepines-in-scotland/public-health-alert-for-action-new-benzodiazepines-in-scotland/

Another alert still active is:
‼️Nitazenes‼️
Nitazenes are a group of potent synthetic opioids that are now widely detected across Scotland. Nitazenes pose a high risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.
- Nitazenes are most commonly found as an unexpected contaminant in drugs sold as he**in, benzodiazepines and oxycodone.
Read the alert on nitazenes: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-alert-nitazenes/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-alert-nitazenes-version-20/public-health-alert-for-action-nitazene-type-drugs-in-scotland/

For information on drug and alcohol support services in Dumfries and Galloway please visit: www.dgadp.co.uk

05/02/2026

and get unusual persistent
symptoms checked. Your GP practice wants to
know. Find information on possible symptoms at: getcheckedearly.org

05/02/2026

We will be at Castle Douglas Town Hall alongside a range of other local services. If you're looking for support or information about stopping smoking, pop along for a chat! 😊

04/02/2026

🤔Confused about where to go when you or a loved one needs medical help?

It can be tricky to know where to get advice when you are ill or in pain, and choosing the wrong service can mean longer waits, more stress, and extra pressure on our NHS.

✅ Our guide can help you make the right choice, quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

📲 Share our guide with your friends, family, and community.
➡️ For more info, click the link in the comments!