Public Health

The organised efforts of governments, health systems, and communities to prevent substance-related harms, promote wellbeing, and improve population health outcomes. A public health approach focuses on prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and harm reduction, while also addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence substance use. It relies on surveillance data, evidence-based interventions, policies, and cross-sector collaboration to reduce the overall burden of substance use disorders and promote healthier communities. 

Alcohol Problems, Policy and Practice

 - 
London
, 
United Kingdom

The Addictions Department at King's and the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies are holding a week-long course bringing together leading experts from across the UK.

The event will cover issues in alcohol use and policy, alcohol harms and treatment, the role of the alcohol industry, and the influences of comorbidity and social inequalities.

Youth Drinking in Decline

 - 
Krakow
, 
Poland

Youth alcohol consumption is declining across most high-income nations, often alongside concurrent decreases in drug use and smoking. Researchers are increasingly focusing on the nature and underlying reasons for this decline.

The Kettil Bruun Society is holding a thematic meeting to discuss the nature of these trends.

The programme will be organised around the following themes:

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Adolescent Substance Use

Scientific article
 - 
There is evidence to suggest clear social and economic inequalities in adolescent smoking and alcohol use. A recent study has used data from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs ( ESPAD) to examine socioeconomic...

Hidden Harm Practice Guide

Guide
 - 
Parental problem alcohol and other drug use are associated with social, legal, economic and health-related problems. It can disrupt family routines and responsibilities, relationships with relatives and friends, and the family’s social...

Change, Grow, Live Medication-Assisted Treatments Toolkit

Website
 - 
Drug-related deaths are the highest they have ever been. We know that medication-assisted treatments (MAT), such as the prescription of methadone and buprenorphine, are our most powerful interventions. Supporting opioid-dependent service...

Nordic Youth Research Symposium (NYRIS) 14

 - 
Aarhus
, 
Denmark

The lives of young people are still fundamentally precarious. Unemployment rates are still high; mental health problems among young people are still endemic and new forms of marginalization and social exclusion continue to be generated. 

Campus-Based Interventions

 - 
Sherbrooke
, 
Canada

Drinking in excess is a long-standing ritual that many students see as an integral part of the postsecondary experience. It is also a significant public health problem that affects students’ lives, including social, academic, legal and health issues.