Between March and May 2021, the EU4Monitoring Drugs (EU4MD) project supported the mapping of national prevention systems in European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) area countries.

This briefing describes the rationale and methodology of the prevention system mapping, presenting selected findings and highlighting key challenges encountered.

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INTRODUCTION:

The European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) and The Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) are paradigms of the efforts to achieve an international standardised training for drug demand reduction. Both curricula are based on evidence-based knowledge and practice and follow the quality standards established by important international institutions such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). In addition to training directly aimed at professionals, it...

BACKGROUND:

The high prevalence of HIV and substance use disorders (SUD) in Ukraine remains a significant public health problem. A well-trained, recovery-oriented national workforce to enhance SUD treatment associated with HIV care is needed to reduce substance use and HIV-related burden in the country.

METHODS:

The Ukraine Addiction Transfer Technology Center (Ukraine ATTC) was established in 2017 to provide training and technical assistance on the intersection of HIV and SUD to support efforts to control the HIV epidemic in Ukraine. Data were derived from Ukraine ATTC initiatives in its...

Background

Opioid overdose remains a public health crisis in diverse communities. Between 2019 and 2020, there was an almost 40% increase in drug fatalities primarily due to opioid analogues of both stimulants and opioids. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD; e.g., buprenorphine) are effective, evidence-based treatments that can be delivered in office-based primary care settings. We investigated disparities in the proportion of national prescribers who have obtained a waiver issued to prescribe MOUD by demographic characteristics.

Methods

Data for the secondary data analyses were...

Background

Recently developed buprenorphine depot injections have the potential to reduce risk for diversion and misuse, and to increase adherence with fewer visits for supervised intake. However, it is unclear how patients perceive this new form of medication. The purpose of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of depot injections and their reasons for continuing, discontinuing, or declining depot injection treatment.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 32 people, 14 of whom had ongoing depot injection treatment, 11 who had discontinued depot...

Background

Substance use among youth (ages 12–24) is troublesome given the increasing risk of harms associated. Even more so, substance use services are largely under utilised among youth, most only accessing support when in crisis. Few studies have explored young people’s help-seeking behaviours to address substance use concerns. To address this gap, this study explored how youth perceive and experience substance use services in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods

Participatory action research methods were used by partnering with BC youth (under the age of 30) from across the province...

Illicit drugs are big business. They are one of the main profit-generating activities of organised crime and are estimated to represent around one-fifth of global crime proceeds. 'EU Drug Markets: In-depth analysis' is the fourth comprehensive overview of illicit drug markets in the EU by the EMCDDA and Europol and takes a broad view of these markets from production and trafficking, to distribution and use. Designed as a series of modules, each focuses on the market for a particular drug.

Available modules

Cocaine market

Methamphetamine market

Upcoming modules

Amphetamine market 

Cannabi...

Abstract

Introduction: The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy responses to COVID-19 affected social and economic life and the availability of alcohol. Previous research has shown an overall small decrease in alcohol use in Denmark in the first months of the pandemic. The present paper focused on identifying which groups of individuals had decreased or increased their consumption. 

Materials and Methods: Data were collected between May and July 2020 (n = 2,566 respondents, convenience sample). Weights were applied to reflect the actual Danish general population. Variables...

Background

When used in combination with other therapies for drug use disorders, neurofeedback (NF) has been classified as "probably effective," according to recent research in the community of people with opioid use disorder. Despite these encouraging results, the severity of the opioid crisis, and the high risk of relapse even with the most effective medication-assisted maintenance therapy, NF remains a little-studied therapeutic option. The possibility of incorporating Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback into standard opioid addiction therapy in an outpatient urban treatment facility is examined in...

This miniguide is one of a larger set, which together comprise Health and social responses to drug problems: a European guide. It provides an overview of what to consider when planning or delivering health and social responses to drug-related problems in prisons, and reviews the available interventions and their effectiveness. It also considers implications for policy and practice.

Brief Description:

The Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (ES-CICAD) is seeking expressions of interest from experts in the field of alternatives to incarceration and social integration to be trained as Master Trainers for the delivery of the Case Care Management curriculum internationally. Upon successful completion of the Training of Trainers, these Master Trainers will be included on the Case Care Management roster of trainers and can be contacted to deliver the training when scheduled. If interested, please submit your resume and relevant information...

Summary

Mental health is a public health issue for European young people. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 provides internationally comparable information on trends in the health status of populations and changes in the leading causes of disease burden over time.

Prevalence, incidence, Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) and Years of Life Lost (YLLs) from mental disorders (MDs), substance use disorders (SUDs) and self-harm were estimated for young people aged 10-24 years in 31 European countries. 

Findings

In 2019, rates per 100,000 population were 16,983 for mental disorders...

The EMCDDA launched a new Prevention toolkit, bringing together all of its key prevention-related materials to date. Part of the agency’s toolkit series, this new resource is aimed at anyone involved in shaping decisions, opinions and policies in Europe in the science-based prevention of substance use. The toolkit is centred around four key existing prevention resources, all brought together in a one-stop-shop for easy access:

• European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) — a training programme designed to professionalise those working in the field of prevention.
• Xchange prevention registry — an...