In Norway, overdose mortality is over 260 per year, with opioids being implicated in the majority of cases. In 2014, the Norwegian government announced a government-funded nationwide overdose prevention initiative in response to the country's high overdose rates. A broad take-home naloxone (THN) program was one of the key treatments featured. Data collecting techniques moved from paper to electronic during the scaling-up of a nationwide Norwegian take-home naloxone (THN) program. The goal of this study was to find out how employees felt about the change in data gathering.

A survey of 200...

Summary:

This paper explores the evidence base for services designed to meet the needs of people who experience homelessness and use drugs. Through a delimited analysis of existing systematic and rapid evidence reviews, it considers the key lessons for the development of effective homelessness services in Europe.

The aims of the paper are two-fold. Its first objective is to identify the gaps and limitations in our understanding of what constitutes homelessness, as well as the holes in the existing evidence base around service provision for those experiencing homelessness. The second goal is...

The European Web Survey on Drugs collected data between March and April 2021 from people who use drugs, aged 18 or older, living in 21 EU and 9 non-EU countries. During this period the populations in many European countries were experiencing COVID-19-related lockdown or restrictions. Unless otherwise indicated, the data presented here refer to the 48469 respondents who reported having used at least one illicit drug in the 12 months prior to the survey (last 12 months use) and live in one of 21 EU countries covered by the survey and Switzerland

Here, you can find out more about the top level...

BACKGROUND

The two-year, multidisciplinary Master’s in Drug Dependence (MDD) at the University of Barcelona was created in 1986, after some years of offering shorter seminars. It was a response to the heroin crisis of the 80s and 90s and Spain’s longstanding alcohol and smoking problems. Addressing the situation required specialised professionals, and a specific curriculum for drug dependence did not exist. As far as we know, the MDD is the longest-running programme of its kind in Europe.

AIMS

To describe briefly the conceptualisation and development of this master’s programme.

RESULTS

Th...

Substance use can affect workers of all ages; therefore, the workplace may play a vital role in preventing substance abuse throughout their careers. In fact, the workplace has a potential role in promoting the prevention and reducing the substance related problems. In addition, it is important that substance use related challenges should be recognized as health issues at work, treated as any other health issue, and covered by health-care organizations.

This is a study, led by the University of Bristol, and published in Addiction Journal. It was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care.

The most effective tobacco cessation pharmacotherapies are combination therapies, particularly varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) combined. Varenicline, bupropion, and NRT are recommended as first line treatments to stop smoking by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 

The researchers identified 363 trials for effectiveness and 355 for...

BACKGROUND: The Czech Republic has a long tradition of methamphetamine use. Less is known about the circumstances of initiation into its use at the level of individual users. The aim of the research was to analyse the biographic burden prior to initiation into the use of amphetamines. Another aim was to describe initiation into the use of amphetamines from the perspective of users in various groups.

METHODS: Qualitative analysis of 25 full transcripts of biographical interviews was conducted. The thematic analysis and coding framework were based on the biopsychosocial model focusing on...