BACKGROUND:

In the field of harm reduction (HR), an established quality assurance system with implemented quality standards is rather rare in practice. Together with limited evidence in this area, this leads to an imbalance in the basic segments of drug demand reduction and their lack of compatibility and alignment in terms of therapeutic continuity.

AIMS:

The paper presents case study analysis of the context and a description of the original quality management system in harm reduction at the national level.

METHODS:

The case study design is based on a narrative review from a search of...

INTRODUCTION:

Quality Standards (QS) are an important priority in European drug policy, although the extent of their application remains unclear. The FENIQS-EU project (Further ENhancing the Implementation of Quality Standards in drug demand reduction across Europe) was set up to foster the use of QS. The objective of this paper is to present the main findings of the first 18 months of this project.

METHODS:

A multi-method study design was used to assess the application of QS. It consisted of:

1) an online survey and brief interviews with key stakeholders in various areas of drug demand...

Background:

People who have problems with using opioids or other drugs and inject them have shorter lives than most people. Liver diseases, especially, contribute to this. Checking liver stiffness might help find liver problems early. This study looks at how common liver disease is in people who use drugs and how different factors like types of drugs used, hepatitis C, alcohol, weight, age, diabetes, and cholesterol affect liver stiffness.

Methods:

From May 2017 to March 2022, data was collected from 676 people in Western Norway. Most were getting treatment for opioid addiction, while some...

Background:

Since 1996, an urban community-based organization has been providing screening, testing, overdose prevention, referrals, and access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and communicable diseases such as HIV through its Life Points harm reduction program.

Methods:

In 2021, the organization recruited a convenience sample of people who use drugs for a survey focused on substance use, healthcare, and barriers to SUD services. Community health workers conducted outreach and collected data using an encrypted identifier. Paper surveys were entered into Qualtrics for analysis...

Background

Since 1996, an urban community-based organisation whose primary mission is to serve diverse94 and emerging community health needs has provided screening, testing, overdose prevention and training, referrals, and access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and communicable diseases such as HIV through its Life Points harm reduction program.

Methods

As a partner in a State survey in 2021, the community organisation recruited a convenience sample of people who use drugs to participate in a survey focused on their substance use, healthcare, and barriers to SUD services...

BACKGROUND: Drug dependence is a public health problem that requires trained professionals to effectively address this issue. The aim of this study was to analyse postgraduate university training programs specialising in addictions in Spain.

METHODS: An exhaustive review of the scientific literature was conducted, and information was collected on university training programs specialising in addictions in Spain. A descriptive documentary analysis of the curricula of Master’s and other postgraduate degrees at Spanish universities was performed. Postgraduate and continuing education programs...

Specific patterns of substance use have been found to correlate with an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and mortality by suicide. However, this relationship is multifaceted and influenced by various intersecting factors, including the type and quantity of substances consumed, as well as biological and social determinants. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, presents a comprehensive examination of these factors in their latest report titled "Intersections of Substance Use and Suicide: Evidence and Key...

Background: Over the past decade, drug-related overdoses have seen a significant rise both in North America and globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasised the urgent need for safer supply programs to replace unregulated substances, reducing toxicity and overdose risks. Service providers play a crucial role in delivering safer supply initiatives, yet there's limited empirical evidence from their perspective on what constitutes effective safer supply programs. This study delves into the initial implementation and impacts of a safer supply program, capturing insights from an...

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 stimulant-related problems, and reviews the available interventions and their effectiveness. It also considers implications for policy and practice.

The Cannabis, Mental Health, and Substance Use Health: Research Knowledge Exchange Event Summary Report presents the findings and themes discussed at an event jointly hosted by CCSA (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada. With funding from Health Canada, the two organizations supported approximately 70 research teams in exploring the potential benefits, harms, and risks of cannabis on substance use health and mental health. The event provided a platform for these research teams to share their project results, observations, and experiences...

Background

Previous research has demonstrated that remissions from alcohol use disorders can occur without accessing treatment. The current study explored the prevalence of such untreated remissions in the UK and further, examined the extent to which people who resolved an alcohol use disorder regarded themselves as ever, or currently, being in recovery.

Methods

Participants were recruited using the Prolific online platform. Participants who met criteria for lifetime alcohol dependence (ICD-10) were asked about their drinking at its heaviest, use of treatment services, whether they...

INTRODUCTION:

This study aimed to (i) analyse the prevalence of gaming in young elementary school-aged children; (ii) assess the effect of gaming frequency on excessive screen use; and (iii) identify sociodemographic variables associated with frequent gaming.

METHODS:

A survey was conducted in April–June 2021 with parents of children attending grades 1–3 in randomly selected elementary schools in Czechia, Slovakia, and Finland. Parents (n = 1871) reported the daily screen time and the weekly gaming frequency of their children during a typical week and provided sociodemographic information.