INTRODUCTION: In the favourable political climate of the mid-2010s, the standards for Assessment & Selection of Prevention programmes Issued from the Review of EDPQS (ASPIRE) were developed to support project planning in drug prevention.

METHODS: This case study is a narrative from the main coordinator responsible for drafting this quality assurance material.

RESULTS: The framework that led to the creation of the ASPIRE standards is described. The production process is then explained and, thereby, the 12 ASPIRE standards resulting from it are presented. These quality standards and their...

INTRODUCTION: The Cyprus National Addictions Authority (NAAC) is the main coordinating body for all matters related to licit and illicit substances as well as pathological gambling in Cyprus and it is responsible, inter alia, for the licensing, evaluation, funding (where possible), coordination, and reinforcement of all programmes, actions, and activities related to substances and gambling. Licensing and funding are based on the fulfilment of certain criteria and a certain level of quality.

METHODS: The process that led to the establishment of a quality standards system for licensing and...

Presented by Dr Louise Birrell and Dr Jack Andrews, this webinar is for school staff, parents, and any health professionals interested in peer influences on substance use and mental health. In this webinar, they examine trends in adolescent substance use and mental health.

They explore the profound impact of peers on shaping mental health and substance use patterns among young people. They discuss both positive and negative impacts and touch on new interventions attempting to harness the positive aspects of peer influence to improve outcomes among adolescents.
 

SAMHSA recently introduced the 4 E’s as a “Modern and Comprehensive Prevention System” to support the work of prevention providers in States and communities.

The 4 E’s: Early Action, Easy Access, Equitable Opportunities and Effective Delivery, provide a vital system for ensuring that prevention efforts are planned and implemented in an equitable and effective manner.

In this 2-part “Learning Lab” series, we will describe and explore a) how the 4 E’s can be applied in prevention work and b) how the 4 E’s can be implemented throughout the Strategic Prevention Framework.

Participants will...

Objective: To help adults manage risks relating to adolescent substance use in line with evidence-based prevention principles.

Background: Smoking and drinking among 15–16-year-old school students are showing signs of decline, but there are concerns over potentially risky cannabis use and the challenges posed by new addictive behaviours. These are among the findings from the latest report from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD). There are some aspects of parental life that are always — no matter the generational, geographical or cultural background — a...

The consequences of addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol, or engaging in certain behaviours like gambling, gaming, or sex, can be severe. Addiction is often a response to underlying trauma and social stressors, and continued use of these substances or behaviours can create additional physical, psychological, and social problems.

In July 2021, the University of Birmingham launched a peer-led support program for students wishing to maintain abstinence-based recovery (Better Than Well; BTW).

The programme aims to provide:

- support during the admission and early development of...