The developmental stage of adolescence involves dramatic biologic, psychological, and behavioural changes.

It is a time where young people start to explore, seek further independence and experiment with new experiences. It is also a time where young people are particularly vulnerable to developing difficulties related to potentially risky behaviour.

Vulnerability to initiating and developing substance use and substance use disorders involves a number of interconnected factors. 

By understanding the potential risk and protective factors, parents, and those working with teenagers can help...

People who use drugs and with rug use disorders are particularly vulnerable to Covid19 due to underlying health issues, social marginalization and higher economic and social vulnerabilities.

Stigma and discrimination of people who use drugs and with drug use disorders result in limited access to health, housing, employment and social support, and impacts on their efforts to stay safe during COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is looking to hire an international consultant where under the supervision of the Programme Officer (UNODC/PTRS) the consultant is requested to produce a systematic literature review, followed by a narrative report, that identifies evidence-based approaches for the treatment of drug use disorders and other mental health disorders in prison settings with a specific focus on low-and middle-income countries. Specifically, the consultant will be required to pay attention to scalable...

Dear ISSUP members,

My name is Andia Meksi and I would like to share with you some information regarding UTC training held in Tirana, Albania.

The Colombo Plan- Drug Advisory Program and the University of California, San Diego in collaboration with the Albanian Faculty of Medicine and UNODC and conducted a five-day Walkthrough on “Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders: Course 1 to 4” for Albanian and Kosovo health professionals and university lecturers from 3rd to 7th of February 2020 in Tirana, Albania .The training was held at premises of the Medical University of...

This video describes the project of training medical professionals in Ukraine on the universal treatment curriculum. It is in Ukrainian with English subtitles.

Abstract

Objective:

Drawing on qualitative analysis of selected historical documents, the paper seeks to provide a definition of the general characteristics of the first institutional alcohol treatment facilities in today's Czech Republic and Slovakia, taking into account the historical context of the first half of the 20th century. An additional aim was to point out the importance of archival research and its contribution to understanding the determinants of alcohol-related agenda and alcohol treatment.

Methods:

The basic data platform was generated by analysis of historical documents...

HOW ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT AFFECTS SCREENING AND BRIEF INTERVENTION

Selection and exploration of key studies starts with a review mapping influences which might obstruct or promote implementation efforts, then highlights a striking illustration of the importance of organisational context emerging from an unprecedented US implementation drive. Finally, helps develop evidence-informed understanding of three important issues:- Are there ‘good’ reasons for ‘bad’ implementation? What looks from the outside like implementation failure may from the inside seem entirely justified.- Do the...

Opioid use and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) continues to be a significant public health concern in the United States.

Several medications for OUD (MOUDs) are now considered by the medical community to be the criterion standard in OUD recovery

While many individuals with opioid use disorder seek treatment at residential facilities to initiate long-term recovery, the availability and use of MOUDs in these facilities are unclear.

A recent cross-sectional study, published in JAMA Network, has examined whether residential addiction treatment facilities in the United States use medications for...