Reports April 2010

Jar wars: the question of schools-based drug testing

This briefing paper examines the use of schools-based drug testing, analysing its underlying assumptions, its ethical dimensions and the research so far conducted into its practical application [IDPC]

Italian goverment's position on harm reduction raises opposition among the NGOs

During the negotiations on the EU resolution in view of CND 2010, the Italian government tried to challenge the European wide position on Harm Reduction. NGOs statement PDF [IDPC]

From coercion to cohesion

Treating drug dependence through healthcare, not punishment [UNODC]

Cocaine: a European Union perspective in the global context

This report provides an overview of what is known about how cocaine is produced and trafficked into the European Union PDF [EMCDDA]

NATMS Annual Statistical report 2008/2009

This report provides the results of the first opportunity to analyse a full year of alcohol treatment data [NTA, UK]

'The Global State of Harm Reduction 2010

Key Issues for Broadening the Response' 10MB report [IHRA]

Ensuring integrated treatment for people with mental health and substance use problems

The co-existence of mental health and substance use problems, known as dual diagnosis, is common. Integrated care models are vital to provide joined up care [Nursing Times, UK]

Revisiting the AACCE profile in the North West of England Results from NDTMS in 2008/09

One of the central themes of the AACCE hypothesis is that the use of non-opiate substances amongst young people in contact with treatment indicates shifting substance use patterns that will eventually impact on adult services as these individuals mature [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]

The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010

A Consultation on Tobacco Draft Regulations [Scottish Government, UK]

IHRA launches 'Through a harm reduction lens: Civil society engagement in multilateral decision making' report

This report examines the ways in which multilaterals are currently engaging civil society groups working on harm reduction in international policy, including the engagement of leading non-governmental organisations and the involvement of affected communities [IHRA]

Effect of Drug Law Enforcement on Drug-Related Violence: Evidence from a Scientific Review

International Centre for Science in Drug Policy released its first report [ICSDP]

National Hep C Strategy

hird National Hepatitis C Strategy 2010-2013 [Hepatitis NSW, Australia]

National Hep B Strategy

National Hepatitis B Strategy 2010-2013 [Hepatitis NSW, Australia]

National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Virus Strategy

Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2010–2013.[Hepatitis NSW, Australia]

Alcohol In Our Lives: Curbing the Harm

The Law Commission’s final report on the review of New Zealand’s liquor law [Law Commission, New Zealand]

Indigenous specific alcohol and other drug interventions

A report identifying the areas of greatest need to address harmful Indigenous drug and alcohol use [NIDAC, Australia]

IHRA launches '3 Cents' report

IHRA's new '3 cents' report shows the small amount of money being invested in harm reduction [IHRA]

Record number of new drugs reported in 2009

A record number of new drugs was officially reported in 2009 to the EMCDDA and Europol via the EU early-warning system (EWS) on new psychoactive substances. This is according to the EMCDDA–Europol 2009 annual report [EMCDDA]

EU citizens’ attitudes towards alcohol

In this report, findings are presented from an EU-wide Eurobarometer poll carried out in autumn 2009 and, where appropriate, compared with a similar poll carried out in the autumn of 2006,5 around the time of the adoption of the EU alcohol strategy [European Commission]

Model-Based Appraisal of Alcohol Minimum Pricing

Model-Based Appraisal of Alcohol Minimum Pricing and Off-Licensed Trade Discount Bans in Scotland Using The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model (V 2):- An Update Based on Newly Available Data [Scottish Government, UK]

CUT - What else are people eating, snorting and injecting when they take illegal drugs?

A Guide to the Adulterants, Bulking agents and other Contaminants found in illicit drugs [Centre for Public Health, UK]

The Budgetary Implications of Drug Prohibition

This report examines the budgetary implications of legalizing drugs. The report estimates that legalizing drugs would save roughly $48.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition - Report PDF [Mark Haden, USA]

Harm reduction: evidence, impacts and challenges

The EMCDDA’s 10th scientific monograph, entitled Harm reduction: evidence, impacts and challenges provides a comprehensive overview of the harm reduction field. 3.9MB PDF [EMCDDA]

Report of the 53rd Commission on Narcotic Drug

Report on the fifty-third session (2 December 2009 and 8-12 March 2010) [United Nations]

Reducing drug and alcohol harms to communities and families: updated guidance on developing local practice

This guidance takes the local community as the starting point of its approach to dealing with drug and alcohol problems. Its focus is not only on meeting national priorities, but about making a difference at a local level [Home Office, UK]

ACPO guidance on policing new psychoactive substances

[Association of Chief Police Officer of England, Wales & Northern Ireland]

Merseyside DIP Demographics Report 08/09

This report outlines the key demographic trends for clients assessed and transferred into DIP over the three year period between 06/07 & 08/09 [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]

Powder Cocaine & Problematic Drug Users

A comparative study of the characteristics of DIP clients in Merseyside [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]

Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders

This report examines the latest evidence on the complex interconnection between addiction and mental illness [CCSA, Canada]

Developing Choice in Peer Support

How alcohol services can support SMART Recovery [Alcohol Concern, via Drugs Library, University of Sterling, UK]

Guidelines for collecting data on retail drug prices in Europe: issues and challenges

The Manual raises awareness on specific issues related to collecting data on retail drug prices and offers practical suggestions PDF [EMCDDA]

Service Delivery for People with Co-existing Mental Health and Addiction Problems - Integrated Solutions 2010

This service delivery guidance document provides advice to assist mental health and addiction services to enable the provision of more integrated care for people with co-existing mental health and addiction problems [Ministry of Health, New Zealand]

Te Ariari o te Oranga: The Assessment and Management of People with Co-existing Mental Health and Substance Use Problems 2010

The publication presents a clinical framework to assist health professionals working with co-existing substance use and mental health problems [Ministry of Health, New Zealand]

Effective Community Treatment for Drug Misusers

Outcome Monitoring an Independent Review Dr John Marsden and Garry Stillwell for [Blenheim CDP, UK] Press release

An Assessment of the Scientific Support Underlying the FY2011 Budget Priorities of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

Testimony presented before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy on April 14, 2010. Full document [RAND, USA]

The Role of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Road Deaths and Serious Injuries

This paper examines the impact of alcohol and other drug use, including various pharmaceuticals, on road deaths and injuries. It also outlines a number of strategies that are currently being implemented to minimise and reduce the number of drivers who consume drugs [Australian Drug Foundation]