EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2024, a public call from the Ministry of Education and Science for the contracting of a higher education institution to design and implement a training programme in strategies for preventing psychoactive substance use, within the framework of the Pilar Project, aimed at educators and officials involved in the development of the Sumar Plan.

The Norberto Bobbio School of Government and Public Policy, the host organisation of ISSUP Paraguay, was awarded the contract.

The training programme design included three courses: one for 30 (thirty) technicians from the...

The International Drug Policy Academy (IDPA), established by the Council of Europe's Pompidou Group, is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of professionals involved in drug policy and addiction services. With over 50 years of international cooperation and capacity building, the IDPA aims to bridge the gap between policy, research, and practice across various sectors, fostering the development of coherent and sustainable drug policies.  

Objectives of the IDPA

• Capacity Building: Strengthening the skills of professionals for effective design, management and evaluation of drug...

CSUCH’s data visualisation tool can be used to estimate substance use trends across the country. The data helps inform programs, practices, and research to protect communities, save lives, and improve the well-being of people in Canada.

Spotlight: Top 3 causes of death due to substance use in Canada 

More than 200 people died each day due to substance use (SU) in 2020 (the latest year for which data are available). That works out to 73,994 deaths that year. The average age of death due to SU was 45 years. Tobacco use caused 63% (46,366) of SU-related deaths, followed by alcohol at 23%...

Addiction and obesity share similar neurological pathways, both linked to compulsive behaviors and the brain's reward system. Research has highlighted the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes, to help manage both appetite and addictive cravings. These medications, such as semaglutide, may regulate addictive behaviors by influencing reward circuits in the brain. However, they come with potential side effects, and their long-term effects are still under investigation.

In addition, a new compound, 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI), is being researched for its...

The Global Recovery Network is committed to providing valuable and relevant content for our community. 

To ensure our upcoming webinar series aligns with the needs and interests of our audience, we have developed this survey with U.S. based Faces and Voices of Recovery to determine which topics may be of most relevance. Our goal is to offer webinars that not only inform but also develop and build skills that support recovery, advocacy, and professional growth.
 
Your feedback is crucial in helping us design a webinar series that resonates with and benefits you.

Click here to complete a short...

English:

The comorbidity between depression and alcohol consumption is a public health concern, affecting progression, treatment adherence, and outcomes. Alcohol use in Latin America exceeds the global average. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms and risky alcohol consumption, considering gender and age, in 4,890 participants (ages 18-64) from six Latin American countries. Results showed women had higher risky alcohol consumption and more severe depressive symptoms than men. Younger adults (18-24) reported more depression symptoms. Women with risky alcohol consumption...

Stimulants are a class of drugs that act on the central nervous system, increasing alertness, energy, and attention while elevating mood. They achieve these effects by enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Many stimulant-related hazards are linked to intensive, high-dose, or long-term usage. The mode of administration plays a significant moderating role; injecting stimulants and smoking crack cocaine or methamphetamine have been specifically associated with more problematic use behaviours. Even people who use stimulants sporadically or...