ISSUP Kenya would like to invite you to its webinar onSubstance Use Disorders: Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches; Bridging Policy, Clinical Practice and Recovery Support.
Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized and Crime
The 2025 Global Organized Crime Index shows that overall crime levels in Europe remain stable, and the region continues to rank among the least affected globally. However, this stability hides a more complex reality, with criminal markets and actors evolving and expanding.
Financial crime is the most widespread threat, driven by online fraud and cross-border schemes, while cybercrime continues to grow, often linked to state-backed or hybrid actors. Drug markets are also shifting, with cocaine and synthetic drugs increasing, while trafficking and smuggling networks remain deeply entrenched.
Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Short Summary
Scam centres are a fast-growing global organized crime threat, generating over $1 trillion in losses in 2024. They use technology and psychological manipulation to target victims worldwide, supported by global criminal networks and easy-to-access tools.
Despite enforcement efforts, scams are expanding and adapting, often moving to low-governance environments and exploiting geopolitical gaps.
Key Actions
Increase international coordination and intelligence sharing
Pressure safe havens and strengthen regulation of tech and financial platforms
The Central East ATTC- Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network managed by the Danya Institute
This guide highlights the critical importance of maintaining personal well-being in a field that is both highly rewarding and emotionally demanding. The guide explores common workplace stressors, such as high caseloads, complex client needs, and organisational pressures, and how these can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and reduced effectiveness if left unaddressed.
It presents a whole-health approach to well-being, emphasising multiple dimensions including emotional, physical, social, and occupational health, and underscores the shared responsibility between individuals and...
ISSUP KENYA was honoured to participate in the Pathways to Progress Summit, held on 29th January 2026 at Parklands Baptist Church, bringing together practitioners, civil society, faith leaders, and community stakeholders in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Dr. Pamela Kaithuru, President of ISSUP Kenya, represented the Chapter at the Summit and delivered key reflections on the importance of professionalism, ethical standards, and evidence-based practice. She emphasized continuous learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, and encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of...
A new chapter in training has begun at ISSUP. A new Training Team has been formed with the goal of improving the accessibility and relevance of ISSUP’s training, while ensuring it reflects the learning needs of members worldwide.
In the early months of its work, the team carried out a training needs assessment to better understand members’ online learning needs. At the same time, the team engaged with several Learning Management System (LMS) providers to explore options for a new platform that supports accessible, high-quality learning. The proposals received are now being reviewed.
We’re excited to share that ISSUP has successfully launched the pilot of the Investing in Evidence-Based Prevention (IEP) Workshop, attended by 18 participants from 17 countries. The workshop was delivered in two online sessions, held on 14 and 21 August, bringing together policy-makers, decision-makers and funders.
The IEP workshop was developed by Jeff Lee, and Rachele Donini, together with the Scientific Support Team (SST). The pilot was delivered by Rachele Donini as trainer.
The first session, Introduction to Prevention Science, focused on the fundamentals of prevention...
Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process—it is dynamic, multifaceted, and deeply individual. To truly support individuals on their recovery journey, practitioners must access tools, systems, and knowledge that reflect the realities of those they serve.
The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability and quality of treatment services for alcohol and drug use disorders.
Key Highlights:
Presents the latest data from WHO Member States, aligned with SDG Health Target 3.5: “Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”
Offers updated insights on global alcohol consumption patterns...
Pebley, K., D. Nelson, J., Marshall, J.L. et al. Tobacco treatment billing and tobacco use disorder diagnosis in healthcare settings in the United States: an analysis of South Carolina medicaid claims. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 20, 24 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00654-w
Background
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Although Medicaid covers tobacco cessation treatments, smoking rates remain much higher among Medicaid beneficiaries (30%) compared to those with private insurance (18%). This study examined how often South Carolina Medicaid fee-for-service beneficiaries received tobacco counseling from 2019 to 2022.
Methods
The study analyzed data from 49,401 individuals diagnosed with tobacco use disorder. It assessed differences in counseling rates by age, race, sex, region, and provider type using Chi-squared tests.
This survey is a collaborative effort by ICUDDR, NECPAM and ISAM. Together, we are trying to assess the impact recent reductions in funding have had to the workforce of fields dealing with substance use related issues.
ISSUP Kenya would like to invite you to its webinar on Understanding Gambling Addiction and Its Links to Substance Use Disorders & Mental Health in Kenya.
ISSUP -KENYA joined key stakeholders at the Alcohol and Substance Use Prevention and Management Technical Working Group meeting held at Four Points by Sheraton, Nairobi. This important forum, convened by the Ministry of Health – Kenya, brought together partners including the World Health Organization, NACADA, NCD Alliance Kenya, the International Institute for Legislative Affairs, the Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA), Kenya Medical Training College, among others.
As ISSUP Kenya, we continue to champion evidence-based approaches to substance use prevention, capacity building, and...
Lee, EH., Yu, HJ. Effectiveness of nurse-initiated smoking cessation intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 20, 18 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00648-8
Background
Smoking is one of the top causes of preventable death and is linked to many serious health problems, including cancer and chronic diseases. Nurses can play a big role in helping people quit smoking by offering support through counselling, education, and mental health care. These nurse-led programs have been shown to increase quit rates. Training nurses to deliver these programs is important, and reviewing past studies helps us understand what works best.
Methods
Researchers searched eight major health databases between March 27 and August 1, 2024, to find studies on nurse-led...
ISSUP-KENYA in partnership with Mshauri Therapy Hub and Pro Care, is organising the 2025 International "Mental Health Conference & Excursion" to be held in Kigali, Rwanda.*
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%...
С 10 по 14 марта 2025 года в Вене (Австрия) состоялась 68-я сессия Комиссии по наркотическим средствам (КНС). Будучи главным директивным органом Организации Объединенных Наций по вопросам, связанным с наркотиками, КНС играет ключевую роль в формировании глобальной политики в отношении наркотиков, надзоре за выполнением международных договоров о контроле над наркотиками и реагировании на возникающие проблемы в области сокращения спроса на наркотики и их предложения. Ежегодная сессия объединяет государства-члены, агентства ООН, организации гражданского общества, ученых и правоохранительные...
