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...

The Alcohol Use and Mental Health Project ECHO is a no-cost virtual program for health care professionals who are looking for up-to-date and research-based information on working with people who use alcohol. 

The program, which is only in its first year, has the potential to improve care through enhanced screening for severe alcohol consumption and the application of evidence-based therapies, such as behavioural and pharmaceutical ones. The Alcohol Use and Mental Health ECHO has held 11 sessions as of January 2023, averaging 197 participants per session on a standard deviation of 90.2 (Mean...

INTRODUCTION: The high rate of substance use highlights the need to intervene in the initial use prevention of smoking tobacco. The aim was to determine the efficacy of anti-smoking messages to motivate smoking cessation.

METHODS: It was hypothesised that the messages would reduce the frequency of smoking. The influence of the messages on the intention to smoke, negative emotions, perceived self-efficacy, and health behaviour was also measured. Relevant reliable and valid questionnaires were used to collect data for this experimental study.

RESULTS: In this study mean differences were...

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is one of the most important stages in a human life. This period is full of different stimuli and types of influence – from parents, peers, and society. It is related to greater susceptibility to problematic behaviour and to impulsivity. Because of that it is important to explore the topic of impulsivity and impulsive behaviour.

METHODS: This study addresses impulsivity in adolescents using a Czech questionnaire survey method, the Scale of Impulsivity Dolejš & Skopal (SIDS). It also empirically verifies the functionality of the scale and points out its psychometric...

INTRODUCTION: As the prevalence of substance use continues to rise all over the world amidst the ongoing pandemic, substance use prevention professionals are challenged to find alternative ways to enhance their knowledge and competence to use the best practices in the field. In the present global health situation, in which running face-to-face training seminars is extremely difficult, the most feasible option is through online learning. The aim of this study is to explore how the different aspects of a substance use prevention online course affected the overall effectiveness of the programme. ...

BACKGROUND:

Leisure can be a context that can promote positive adolescent development, but it can also be a context that contributes to adolescents engaging in risk behaviours.

AIMS:

The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which sociodemographic characteristics, the frequency of adolescent participation in structured leisure activities (SLA), and the type of SLA contribute to adolescent alcohol use and to examine the moderating effects of gender, age, and type of SLA on the relationship between the frequency of adolescent participation in SLA and adolescent alcohol use.

Originally held on September 6, 2022, this webinar focuses on questions from new researchers and international researchers looking to expand their work.

Funding, publishing, policymaking, and advocacy are discussed.