Kick-off: Joint action on reducing alcohol-related harm
Cited from article by Maria Moreira in Drugnet Europe No. 85, January–March 2014

Harmful and hazardous alcohol use is one of the main causes of premature death and avoidable disease in the EU today. Highlighting the importance of this issue, the European Commission (EC) is funding the Joint action on reducing alcohol-related harm (RARHA) project, which was launched in Lisbon on 31 January. … [T]he initiative involves 32 associated partners and 28 collaborating partners from both EU and non-EU countries. The EMCDDA is among the project’s associated partners and also sits on its Advisory Group.

… The project aims to mobilise countries to develop common approaches in line with the EU alcohol strategy, including: developing methodologies to conduct alcohol surveys and pool data for comparative assessments; translating scientific evidence and knowledge into practical implications for good practice in alcohol-related interventions; and producing a toolkit of potentially transferable interventions with evidence of effectiveness and cost estimates.

For many years, there has been considerable policy concern about the interaction between alcohol and drug use in Europe. The EMCDDA’s own remit was broadened in 2006 to include the monitoring of polydrug use, where illicit drugs are taken in combination with licit substances or medication.

For more, see www.emcdda.europa.eu/news/2014/sicad-rarha-conference

Focus on multidimensional family therapy
Cited from Drugnet Europe No. 85, January–March 2014

The family can play a vital role in addressing the issue of substance use disorders among adolescents. This is according to the latest edition in the ‘EMCDDA Papers’ series — Multidimensional family therapy for adolescent drug users: a systematic review — released on 6 February.

Adolescence is a period in human development during which individuals are more prone to risk-taking and less prone to impulse control. Some young people experiment with both licit and illicit substances during this time and this can have an impact on their behaviour, their relationships with others and their functioning in society. The new report explores multidimensional family therapy (MDFT), a form of inclusive therapy involving the young person, their family and their environment. Based on five studies carried out in the United States and the EU, the paper shows how this holistic approach can deliver promising results that are visible both during, and after, therapy.  

For more, see www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/emcdda-papers

Exploring methamphetamine trends in Europe
Cited from Drugnet Europe No. 85, January–March 2014

Concerns about the availability and use of methamphetamine in Europe have been growing for some time. Historically, use of the drug has been confined largely to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. However, reports of increasing methamphetamine use from different European countries in 2012 and 2013 sparked an interest in investigating this topic further. The EMCDDA has responded with Exploring methamphetamine trends in Europe which aims to increase the overall understanding on this drug in Europe. The ‘EMCDDA Paper’, released on 31 January, follows trendspotter meetings held at the agency in September 2013. The report focuses on production and trafficking issues, prevalence and patterns of use, health and social harms, and responses to the problem.

For more, see www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/emcdda-papers

New EMCDDA toolkit for monitoring infectious diseases
Cited from article by Lucas Wiessing in Drugnet Europe No. 85, January–March 2014

To mark World AIDS Day on 1 December, the EMCDDA released a new toolkit offering countries the latest guidance on monitoring drug-related infectious diseases — mainly HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis (B, C) — among people who inject drugs. The toolkit is designed to help researchers and health professionals improve bio-behavioural monitoring practice in order to reduce the burden of disease in this vulnerable group and improve the coverage and quality of services delivered. Prepared closely with experts, country representatives and international and EU agencies, the toolkit updates earlier guidance, and presents monitoring methods and updated indicators in a more flexible and user-friendly format.

For more, see www.emcdda.europa.eu/news/2013/fs11