We are witnessing, arguably, the greatest public health issue of our time. However, that is not to say the public health concerns that were present before the pandemic have disappeared.

Opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths continue to cause great harm to society.

This article discusses the way these two critical issues are interacting and causing damage to particularly vulnerable groups of people.

The author describes how social determinants- the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age- influence levels of risk and overall wellbeing.

He comments on the...

As people across the U.S. and the rest of the world contend with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this article warns that the research community should be alert to the possibility that it could hit some populations with substance use disorders (SUDs) particularly hard.

Because it attacks the lungs, Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) warns that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or marijuana or who vape. People with opioid use disorder (OUD) and methamphetamine use disorder may also...

COVID-19 and the lockdown present particular challenges for people affected by homelessness and substance use and services working with them. SDF's second free COVID-19 webinar included speakers from across Scotland describing local services responses from which other areas may learn and improve their service provision to a high risk vulnerable group. Speakers: - Dr John Budd, The Access Practice, Edinburgh - Hugh Hill, Director of Services and Development, Simon Community Scotland - Lynsey Allan, Substance Use and Homelessness Services Manager, Turning Point Aberdeen - Danny Kelly, Hillcrest...

Ref: ISSUPNC/01/ADM/VOL.1/004  May 11, 2020

PRESS RELEASE SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

We are an umbrella group of professionals dedicated to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders among Nigerians. With over 14 million people who use different psychoactive substances in Nigeria, the burden of substance use is great and concerted efforts are required to reverse the worsening rate of substance use problems in the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented governments around the world with significant challenges to their economy, health...

Countries around the world have been introducing measures to reduce the harm of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most countries are calling on individuals to avoid public gatherings and be mindful of social distancing, several countries have introduced tighter restrictions on other aspects of life.

Soon after there were signs of COVID-19 in South African, the government implemented an alcohol sales ban as part of its public health response.

Alcohol has a heavy burden on public health services and the intention of the ban is to relieve the pressure so that energy can be better focussed on...

Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for many respiratory difficulties. A review of studies by public health experts convened by WHO on 29 April 2020 found that smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19, compared to non-smokers.

Following the review, the WHO has released a statement that explains the elevated risk.

The article outlines potential smoking reduction and cessasion intervention programmes.