2014
The DAISy project (December 2014)
Managed by ISD, commissioned by the Scottish Government Drugs Policy Unit and Alcohol Policy Team
Data co-ordination overview of drug misuse 2013 (December 2014)
Similar to previous years, this data report provides a comprehensive overview of the activity and outcomes that have been achieved by statutory and voluntary agencies working in the area of substance misuse (Health Service Executive, Ireland)
Company narratives in a declining industry (December 2014)
This paper looks at the UK drug treatment field from its emergence in the 1970s to its current position today (Lifeline)
Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management (December 2014)
An expert group considered the consultation responses and discussed whether updating the 2007 clinical guideline would be valuable (Public Health England)
The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Hospital Use (December 2014)
A better understanding of the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on Canada’s hospitals will inform decision making and resource allocation for prevention, education and treatment to improve client care and reduce system costs (CCSA)
Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (December 2014)
Fourth Annual Report (NHS Health Scotland)
Young people’s hospital alcohol pathways (December 2014)
Support pack for A&E departments (Public Health England)
Number of adults in drug and alcohol treatment in England in 2013-14 (December 2014)
Here are 10 things from the data in Public Health England’s reports on drug and alcohol treatment in England in 2013-14 (DrugScope)
The role of social and human capital in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction (December 2014)
This paper reports the results of an evidence review on the role of social and human capital in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It has been written for a practitioner audience – to provide stakeholders with key messages from recent research that can be used to inform the decisions they need to make (Health Research Board, Ireland)
Residential rehabilitation: state of the sector in 2014 (December 2014)
Report of a survey of providers and commissioners of residential services (Public Health England)
Residential treatment for drug use in Europe (November 2014)
The aim of this paper is to provide a Europe-wide overview of the history and availability of residential drug treatment within wider national drug treatment systems
Pregnancy and opioid use: strategies for treatment (November 2014)
Several combinations of substitution medicines and psychosocial approaches are available. This paper reviews methadone, buprenorphine and slow-release oral morphine, used in a range of combinations with cognitive behavioural approaches and contingency management in order to identify the strengths of each medicine and method
Drug treatment in England 2013-14 (November 2014)
The data in this report has been collected by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS): it gives a detailed profile of the people who entered drug treatment services in 2013-14, and shows how those services performed (Public Health England)
New psychoactive substances (November 2014)
A toolkit for substance misuse commissioners (Public Health England)
Pregnancy and opioid use: strategies for treatment (November 2014)
This paper reviews methadone, buprenorphine and slow-release oral morphine, used in a range of combinations with cognitive behavioural approaches and contingency management in order to identify the strengths of each medicine and method (EMCDDA)
Landmark findings on long term outcomes of heroin use and treatment (November 2014)
In 2001, NDARC researchers interviewed 615 heroin users about their lives. Eleven years on, they repeated the process. Here, researchers reveal what one of the world’s longest running follow-up studies uncovered about the long term health and social impacts of heroin use (NDARC)
Assessing the availability of and need for specialist alcohol treatment services in Scotland (November 2014)
This research assessed the availability, demand and utilisation of specialist alcohol treatment services in Scotland (NHS Health Scotland)
Addiction services in England: in need of an intervention (November 2014)
Over the past 5 years, government initiatives to increase cost-effectiveness have opened up bidding for local services to third-party providers. With increased competition, the thinking went, bloated NHS trusts would sharpen their edges and the quality of care would be improved. But …(The Lancet)
Time limiting opioid substitution therapy (November 2014)
Report to Lynne Featherstone in response to Norman Baker’s request for advice on whether opioid substitution therapy should be time limited (Government UK)
Community management of opioid overdose (November 2014)
These guidelines aim to reduce the number of deaths from opioid overdose by providing evidence-based recommendations on the availability of naloxone for people likely to witness an opioid overdose along with advice on the resuscitation and post-resuscitation care of opioid overdose in the community (WHO)
A very brief intervention for cannabis users in an emergency department setting (October 2014)
These preliminary results provide early support for the feasibility, acceptability, and possible efficacy of a VBI for cannabis users delivered in the ED setting (NCPIC)
Best practice in drug interventions (October 2014)
Discover what works (and what doesn’t work) in the areas of drug prevention, treatment, harm reduction and social reintegration (EMCDDA)
Alcohol and other drug treatment and diversion from the Australian criminal justice system: 2012-13 (October 2014)
Nationally, there were 24,069 clients who had been diverted into alcohol and other drug treatment, comprising 24% of all clients (AIHW)
Making the case (October 2014)
A practical guide to promoting drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services locally (DrugScope)
NICE recommends nalmefene to help people reduce their dependence on alcohol (October 2014)
A drug that can help people who are dependent on alcohol to cut down on the amount they drink, has been recommended in final draft guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco joint strategic needs assessment support pack (October 2014)
This joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) support pack – updated annually and in its third year – will help local areas to develop JSNAs and local joint health and wellbeing strategies which effectively address public health issues relating to alcohol, drug and, for the first time in 2014, tobacco use (PHE)
Characteristics of hospital-treated intentional drug overdose in Ireland and Northern Ireland (October 2014)
Despite the overall difference in the rates of IDO, the profile of such presentations was remarkably similar in both countries (BMJ)
CQC sets out new plans for inspecting substance misuse services (September 2014)
At the heart of the new approach is our commitment to tailor inspections to the issues that matter to people using substance misuse services. The way we regulate these services will reflect national policy priorities for substance misuse (Care Quality Commission)
The Forgotten People (September 2014)
Drug problems in later life (Big Lottery Fund)
One new drug a week (September 2014)
Why novel psychoactive substances and club drugs need a different response from UK treatment providers (Royal College of Psychiatrists)
The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care and Support in Drug and Alcohol Services (August 2014)
To ensure anyone looking to address their problem drug and/or alcohol use receives high-quality treatment and support that assists long-term, sustained recovery and keeps them safe from harm (Scottish Government)
Prisoner health services in Australia 2012 (August 2014)
This bulletin provides an overview of health services in Australian prisons (AIHW)
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2012-13 (August 2014)
Over 700 agencies provided over 160,000 treatment episodes for alcohol and other drug issues to an estimated 108,000 clients in Australia in 2012–13. Most episodes were for clients receiving treatment for their own drug use, and these clients tended to be male and in their 20s and 30s (AIHW)
This guidance has been produced to aid all clinicians and other practitioners in the use of, and reduction of misuse of benzodiazepines (BZ) aimed at primary care (SMMGP)
Temazepan advice (July 2014)
Response to letter from Norman Baker requesting advice on temazepan from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)
Indicator 5: Improved outcomes for those receiving treatment for drug or alcohol dependency (July 2014)
This indicator is designed to reflect progress in these areas, and considers the links between recovery, offending and employment (Government, UK)
Non-medical prescribing in the management of substance misuse (July 2014)
PHE’s new document, which replaces a 2007 NTA publication, is intended for non-medical prescribers and all those with an interest in NMP including aspiring non-medical prescribers, consultants and clinical leads, service managers, NMP leads, colleagues from different professions (eg, doctors, psychologists, and social workers) and service commissioners (Public Health England)
Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations (July 2014)
Includes people who inject drugs (WHO)
Residential treatment for drug use in Europe (July 2014)
The aim of this paper is to provide a Europe-wide overview of the history and availability of residential drug treatment within wider national drug treatment systems (EMCDDA)
The Workplace as an AOD-Related Harm Prevention and Intervention Setting (July 2014)
Research has demonstrated that workplaces both contribute to and are impacted by employees’ alcohol and other drug use (NCETA)
No Time to Waste (July 2014)
Evidence-Based Treatment for Drug Dependence at the United States Veterans Administration Department of Veterans Affairs – Report (Human Rights Watch)
Drug misuse and dependence (July 2014)
UK guidelines on clinical management (Public Health England)
Alcohol return on investment tool (June 2014)
The alcohol use return on investment tool has been developed to help decision making on interventions and strategies to prevent and reduce alcohol use at local and sub-national levels (NICE)
A guide to estimating oral morphine equivalents (OME) in research (NDARC)
White House Summit on the Opioid Epidemic (June 2014)
Acting Director Michael Botticelli hosted Attorney General Eric Holder, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse Dr. Nora Volkow, and two panels of experts to address the national epidemic of opioid abuse.(ONDCP)
Role of addiction specialist doctors in recovery orientated treatment systems resource published (June 2014)
A new resource designed to assist commissioners, providers and clinicians in maximising the value that addiction specialist doctors can bring to local recovery orientated treatment systems has been published by Public Health England
New report on drug & alcohol treatment for LGB&T people (June 2014)
The report aims to encourage commissioners and providers of drug and alcohol treatment services to be more mindful of the support needs of LGBT people when planning and delivering services
Improving access to mutual aid (May 2014)
A brief guide for alcohol and drug treatment service managers (Public Health England)
Alcohol and Brain Damage in Adults: With reference to high-risk groups (May 2014)
This report calls for clinical commissioning groups to support services that provide specialist care for patients with alcohol-related brain damage (RCP)
This paper describes the development and process evaluation of an educational intervention, designed to help general practitioners (GPs) identify and manage problem alcohol use among problem drug users (Drugs and Alcohol Today)
Medication-Assisted Therapies – Tackling the Opioid-Overdose Epidemic (April 2014)
Essential steps for physicians will be to reduce unnecessary or excessive opioid prescribing, routinely check data from prescription-drug–monitoring programs to identify patients who may be misusing opioids, and take full advantage of effective MATs for people with opioid addiction (NEJM)
Opioid substitution therapy as a strategy to reduce deaths in prison: retrospective cohort study (April 2014)
Mortality of opioid-dependent prisoners was significantly lower while in receipt of OST (BMJ)
Emergency health consequences of cocaine use in Europe (April 2014)
A review of the monitoring of drug-related acute emergencies in 30 European countries (EMCDDA)
Guidelines for identification and management of substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy (April 2014)
These guidelines contain recommendations on the identification and management of substance use and substance use disorders for health care services which assist women who are pregnant, or have recently had a child, and who use alcohol or drugs or who have a substance use disorder (WHO)
New Zealand Practice Guidelines for Opioid Substitution Treatment 2014 (April 2014)
This document contains practical and evidence-based advice for clinicians on best practice for the clinical assessment and treatment of clients with opioid dependence (Ministry of Health, New Zealand)
Guidelines for the identification and management of substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy (March 2014)
These guidelines have been developed to enable professionals to assist women who are pregnant, or have recently had a child, and who use alcohol or drugs or who have a substance use disorder, to achieve healthy outcomes for themselves and their fetus or infant (WHO)
The potential role of pay-for-performance in alcohol and other drug treatment funding: a literature review (March 2014)
This paper commences with an overview of the design of P4P programs, then summarises the general health care effectiveness literature in relation to these program design features (DPMP)
It’s about time (Feb 2014)
Tackling substance misuse in older people – A briefing by DrugScope on behalf of the Recovery Partnership
Compulsory rehabilitation in Latin America: An unethical, inhumane and ineffective practice (Feb 2014)
It is absolutely essential that any treatment system is developed and used in full respect with human rights principles, medical ethics and global evidence, within the framework of a public health approach (IDPC)
Amphetamine-Type Stimulants in Latin America 2014 (Feb 2014)
UNODC report
Multidimensional family therapy for adolescent drug users: a systematic review (Feb 2014)
This EMCDDA Paper focuses on a form of inclusive therapy that involves the young person, their family and their environment. Based on five studies carried out in the United States and the EU, the holistic approach encapsulated by Multidimensional family therapy delivers promising results that are visible both during therapy and after it has ended (EMCDDA)
Best practice portal (Feb 2014)
The Best practice portal is a resource for professionals, policymakers and researchers in the areas of drug-related prevention, treatment, harm reduction and social reintegration (EMCDDA)
Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Jan 2014)
Presents research-based principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment; covers treatment for a variety of drugs including, illicit and prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; presents settings and evidence-based approaches unique to treating adolescents (NIH)
2013
Medications in recovery: best practice in reviewing treatment (Dec 2013)
Supplementary advice from the Recovery Orientated Drug Treatment Expert Group (Public Health England)
Drugs: new psychoactive substances and prescription drugs (Dec 2013)
Twelfth Report from the Home Affairs Committee PDF (UK Government)
Medications in recovery (Dec 2013)
Best practice in reviewing treatment – Supplementary advice from the Recovery Orientated Drug Treatment Expert Group (Public Health England)
Women who use drugs, harm reduction and HIV (Dec 2013)
This issue brief about HIV, harm reduction and the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women who use drugs is part of a series of briefing papers, commissioned by the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS (GCWA), and is designed to provide up-to-date information around key issues concerning HIV prevention, treatment and care related to women and girls (The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS)
Co-morbid substance use and mental disorders in Europe: a review of the data (Dec 2013)
Identifying the co-occurrence of drug use and mental health disorders in the same individuals is essential for effective treatment of their drug use problems. Reviewing the available information on psychiatric co-morbidity among drug users in European countries, the paper shows that there is a need to establish guidelines to collect comparable information across Europe. Download (EMCDDA)
Developing client-based analyses for reporting on the alcohol and other drug treatment services (Dec 2013)
estimate the number and rate of clients receiving alcohol and other drug treatment – explore patterns of drug use and pathways through treatment – explore the characteristics of different client groups, for example, those who return to treatment over many years with multiple drugs of concern or treatment types. Download (AIHW)
Young People’s Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) (Dec 2013)
1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (Public Health England)
Number of young people in specialist substance misuse services falls again (Dec 2013)
The downward trend in the number of young people in England receiving help for substance misuse problems continued in 2012 to 2013 (Government, UK)
Substance misuse among young people in England 2012-13 (Dec 2013)
Despite the downward trends, there remain serious concerns (Public Health England)
EMCDDA launches new toolkit for monitoring infectious diseases among people who inject drugs (Dec 2013)
The toolkit is designed to help health professionals improve their monitoring practice in order to reduce the burden of disease in this vulnerable group and improve the coverage and quality of services delivered (EMCDDA)
ACMD Second report of the recovery committee (Nov 2013)
This report from the recovery committee of the ACMD explores ‘what recovery outcomes the evidence tells us we can expect from drug and alcohol dependence’ (Government UK)
Improvements to drug treatment (Nov 2013)
Changes announced during a Scottish Government Parliamentary debate (Scottish Government)
Quality in Alcohol and Drug Services (Nov 2013)
Organisational Standards (D rugs and Alcohol, Ireland)
Trauma and recovery amongst people who have injected drugs within the past five years (Nov 2013)
Volunteer fieldworkers themselves in recovery interviewed 55 people (38 men, 17 women) who had injected drugs within the previous five years, using a structured life story interview (Scottish Drugs Forum)
Substance Misuse in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum Project Report (Nov 2013)
This report describes the work of a project, focusing on English medical schools to embed teaching of substance misuse into the undergraduate medical curriculum, the purpose of which is to improve the education of medical students in this area (International Centre for Drug Policy, St George’s University of London)
Drug and alcohol delivery bulletin (Nov 2013)
Data to inform the HEAT Standard for drug and alcohol treatment waiting times which expects that 90% of people receive appropriate treatment within 3 weeks to support their recovery. This publication also, for the first time, includes data on waiting times within prisons (Scotland.gov.uk, UK)
Licit and Illicit Drug Use during Pregnancy: Maternal, Neonatal and Early Childhood Consequences (Nov 2013)
The current report is devoted to drug use during pregnancy— more specifically, the maternal, neonatal and early childhood consequences of using substances ranging from tobacco and alcohol, to marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Through this installment, we hope to bring the challenges faced by pregnant women “out of the shadows” so we can better meet their needs and those of their children (CCSA, Canda)
Cost-effectiveness of injectable opioid treatment v. oral methadone for chronic heroin addiction (Nov 2013)
Injectable opioid treatments are more cost-effective than optimised oral methadone for chronic refractory heroin addiction. The choice between supervised injectable heroin and injectable methadone is less clear (British Journal of Psychiatry)
Targeting cannabis reward-effect could help treat addiction (Oct 2013)
A new drug that targets the rewarding effects of cannabis could help some to overcome their addiction (The Conversation)
Trends in Drug Use and Related Harms in Australia, 2001 to 2013 (Oct 2013)
The purpose of this resource document is to collate various data sources that document trends in alcohol and other drug use and harms in Australia (NDARC)
The Uncomfortable Truth Hepatitis C in England: The State of the Nation (Oct 2013)
A new report, published today by The Hepatitis C Trust has found that hepatitis C is grossly under-prioritised in England. Despite it being curable, only 3% of people receive treatment each year (Hepatitis C Trust)
Alcohol treatment in England 2012-13 (Oct 2013)
NDTMS has been collecting alcohol treatment data for the past five years. Compared to last year, this year’s statistics show slight increases in the number of people in treatment, the number of new entrants coming into treatment, and the number who successfully completed their treatment (Public Health England)
Biological testing in drug and alcohol treatment (Oct 2013)
This briefing looks at testing’s role as an integral part of treatment (NHS, UK)
When Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems Collide (Oct 2013)
Understanding, preventing, identifying and addressing mental health disorders and substance abuse issues in youth (CCSA, Canada)
HIV, HCV, and drug use in men who have sex with men (Oct 2013)
The intersection of unprotected sex and use of street and party drugs is likely to amplify the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in men who have sex with men (The Lancet)
Part of the Picture Substance Dependency and Help-Seeking Behaviour (2012) (Oct 2013)
This report further explores problematic and dependent drug and alcohol use and help seeking behaviour, particularly among those who indicated substance dependency (LGF)
Cost-effectiveness of injectable opioid treatment v. oral methadone for chronic heroin addiction (Oct 2013)
Injectable opioid treatments are more cost-effective than optimised oral methadone for chronic refractory heroin addiction. The choice between supervised injectable heroin and injectable methadone is less clear. There is currently evidence to suggest superior effectiveness of injectable heroin but at a cost that policy makers may find unacceptable (British Journal of Psychiatry)
Inquiry into Supply and Use of Methamphetamines (Oct 2013)
ReGen submission on their experience in developing treatment and education responses to problematic methamphetamine use (ReGen, Australia)
Alcohol and drugs: JSNA support pack (Sept 2013)
The Alcohol and drugs: JSNA support pack has been developed to support the joint strategic needs assessment process and local joint health and wellbeing strategies (Public Health England)
Patient-Centred Leadership: Rediscovering our purpose (Sept 2013)
The report is written in relation to all health services and applicable to governance and leadership drug and alcohol services (King’s Fund, UK)
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2011-12 (Aug 2013)
Almost 700 agencies provided over 150,000 treatment episodes for alcohol and other drug issues in Australia in 2011-12. Most of the closed episodes provided in 2011-12 were for clients receiving treatment for their own drug use, and these clients tended to be male and in their 20s and 30s (AIHW, Australia)
Routes to recovery via the community (Aug 2013)
published by Public Health England it contains an overview of the background to the use of mapping tools in drug treatment, a guide to their use and a large number of example maps corresponding to the various stages and tasks in community drug treatment ( Skills Consortium)
Final Report, Drug and alcohol treatment (Aug 2013)
The General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2 tabled its Report on Drug and alcohol treatment (New South Wales Parliament)
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times Report March 2013
The Scottish Government has set a target that by March 2013, 90% of people who need help with their drug or alcohol problem will wait no longer than three weeks for treatment that supports their recovery (ISD, Scotland)
Primary Care Drug and Alcohol Treatment: Commissioning and Provision Against a Backdrop of Localism February 2013
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Substance Misuse Management in General Practice (SMMGP) have issued a joint paper (PDF) considering the future impact of the changing commissioning environment on primary care drug and alcohol treatment (SMMGP, UK)
Placing health and welfare at the heart of drug policy January 2013
The Joint UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care is a milestone in the development of a comprehensive, integrated health-based approach to drug policy that can reduce demand for illicit substances, relieve suffering and decrease drug-related harm to individuals, families, communities and societies (UNODC, USA)
ACMD – Recovery from drug and alcohol dependence: an overview of the evidence (2012) January 2013
The ACMD Recovery Committee’s first report on factors contributing to recovery from drug or alcohol dependence | Home Office, UK
2012
Scottish Drug Misuse Database December 2012
Report on People in Treatment – 2011/12 (ISD Scotland)
Club drug users warned as new figures show more getting help November 2012
While overall drug use has declined in England, there has been an increase in those needing treatment for ‘club drugs’ such as ketamine and mephedrone in the last six years – Report | NTA, UK
Pregnancy, childcare and the family: key issues for europe’s response to drugs October 2012
Drugs and the family: ‘room for improvement’ in responding to problems. Download | EMCDDA
Social reintegration and employment October 2012
Evidence and interventions for drug users in treatment. Download | EMCDDA
Drug systems change pilot programme evaluation report published October 2012
The programme, funded jointly by the Department of Health and the Home Office, ran from 2009-2011. The aim was to test whether local drug and alcohol treatment partnerships could tailor services better, in response to local needs, if they were allowed more flexibility in how they used the range of funding streams available to them and were not constrained by central targets. Report download | Department of Health, UK
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times September 2012
Also Summary and Data tables | Scottish Government, UK
Family and Individual Experiences of Self Detoxification Processes in the Mid West September 2012
The research specifically focussed on the experience of the individual and the family member, and this is reflected in the recommendations which come from that experience | Drugs and Alcohol Ireland
Drug addicts seeking treatment are doing better August 2012
A unique analysis of drug treatment data shows more people are overcoming dependency and services are getting better at getting people into recovery. These findings are contained in a new NTA commentary on the six years’ worth of treatment data that was released alongside the annual statistics last year | NTA, UK
No Health Without Mental Health – Strategy August 2012
A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. Implementation Framework | HM Government, UK
The role of residential rehab in an integrated drug treatment system July 2012
“The analysis reported here identifies troubling discrepancies in performance between residential rehab providers | NTA, UK
Addiction Medicine: Closing the Gap between Science and Practice July 2012
CASA Columbia’s new five year national study reveals that addiction treatment is largely disconnected from mainstream medical practice. Download | CASA, USA
National survey of hepatitis C services in prisons in England published July 2012
The first dedicated survey of hepatitis C services in prisons in England shows that diagnosis and treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection is available to prisoners in most prisons in England, but that care models available vary between in-reach service and out-reach based services. Download | Department of Health, UK
Responding to drug use and related problems in recreational settings July 2012
This paper summarises some of the approaches used today to prevent and reduce the health and social risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol in recreational settings. Download | EMCDDA
Core data set items July 2012
Changes to the core data set items collected by adult drug and alcohol treatment providers through the NDTMS | NTA, UK
Planning for drug and Alcohol treatment services: A brief guide to general planning considerations July 2012
This is a short, general introduction to some relevant aspects of planning, intended for those involved in local partnerships and as service providers in the setting up of residential or non-residential (‘drop-in’) drug and alcohol treatment services | DrugScope, UK
Experts urge new recovery focus for heroin addiction treatment July 2012
Leading doctors and other experts in drug dependence today launched a ground-breaking report on the proper ways in which prescribing medication can help heroin addicts break the hold of their addiction and recover from dependence | NTA, UK
New practice standards for young people’s substance misuse treatment published June 2012
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (Press release) has published new practice standards for the care of young people with substance misuse problems. The standards were developed with the support of DrugScope, whose Director of Policy and Membership, Dr Marcus Roberts, sat on the Expert Advisory Panel for the development of the standards, and has contributed to the final publication | DrugScope, UK
Addiction Medicine: Closing the Gap between Science and Practice June 2012
This five year national study reveals that addiction treatment is largely disconnected from mainstream medical practice. Download | CASA, USA
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times June 2012
The Scottish Government has set a target that by March 2013, 90% of people who need help with their drug or alcohol problem will wait no longer than three weeks for treatment that supports their recovery. Full report – data tables | NHS Scotland, UK
People with drug dependence need better access to health care June 2012
WHO maps treatment and prevention resources in 147 countries | World Health Organization
Treat addiction, cut crime June 2012
A new NTA presentation illustrating the crime reduction benefits and value for money of treating substance misuse | NTA, UK
Rehabilitating Drug Policy June 2012
What can we do better to reduce offending by drug addicts? | Civitas
Recovery Resources to help commissioners and services meet the drug strategy outcomes available June 2012
Organised around the eight drug strategy outcomes, the Recovery Resources are primarily for commissioners, though treatment services and professionals will also find them useful | NTA, UK
Evaluation of the MEAM service pilots June 2012
Following 40 clients, the evaluation provides some of the strongest data available on multiple needs and exclusions. The results show statistically significant increases in individual wellbeing and provide important information on how the shape and cost of wider service use changes as people engage with coordinated interventions. Download | MEAM, UK
Providing drug and alcohol recovery through payment by results – deputy director presentations June 2012
The Department of Health, Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Dedpartment for Work and Pensions hosted an event on the 21st for providers who were interested in finding out more about payment by results (PbR) for drug recovery services and there were presentations from Deputy Directors at DH, Home Office, MoJ and DWP which are now available | Department of Health, UK
Pharmacological Agents June 2012
General Principles for the Use of Pharmacological Agents to Treat Individuals with Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders | SAMHSA, USA
Pharmacologic Guideline June 2012
Pharmacologic Guidelines for Treating Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Co-Occurring Opioid Use Disorders | SAMHSA, USA
Methadone Maintenance Treatment Handbook June 2012
This document has been prepared for the physicians of Nova Scotia as a roadmap for methadone maintenance therapy – that is, the use of methadone primarily as the treatment for opioid dependency | College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia, Canada
Tackling the Problem of Hepatitis C, Substance Misuse and Health Inequalities June 2012
A Consensus for London | The London Joint Working Group for Substance Misuse and Hepatitis C , UK
New directions for alcohol and drug treatment: a roadmap June 2012
The Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge has released New directions for alcohol and drug treatment services: A roadmapto guide the reform of Victoria’s alcohol and drug treatment services – Download | Department of Health, Victoria, Australia
Drug Related Hospital Statistics Scotland 2011 May 2012
Hospital data relating to drug use in Scotland 2010/11. Download | ISD Scotland, UK
Building recovery in communities May 2012
A summary of responses to the consultation | NTA, UK
Report estimates number of crimes prevented by drug treatment May 2012
Every £100 invested in drug treatment services prevents a crime being committed, according to a study released today – ‘Estimating the Crime Reduction Benefits of Drug Treatment and Recovery‘ | National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK
2nd Australian Needle and Syringe Program Return on Investment Study May 2012
The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) Asia Pacific Drug Issues Committee (APDIC) is pleased to announce the availability of translations of a new summary paper based on the influential 2nd Australian Needle and Syringe Program Return on Investment Study – English | Australian National Council on Drugs
The ethics and effectiveness of coerced treatment of people who use drugs May 2012
This article addresses the issues of ethics and effectiveness in coerced treatment for people who use drugs. It is based on the existing evidence on coerced treatment, as well as on considerations of the ethics of such treatment and my own research on quasi compulsory treatment in Europe – Alex Stevens, PhD | Human Rights and Drugs
Proposals to amend the NDTMS dataset – young people May 2012
The NTA is proposing to amend the data that is collected by National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) from April 2013, to ensure it remains relevant to the delivery of specialist substance misuse interventions for young people | National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK
Report of the Toronto and Ottawa Supervised Consumption Assessment Study
Do Toronto and Ottawa need supervised consumption facilities? Is the implementation of supervised consumption facilities in Toronto or Ottawa feasible? To answer these questions, we conducted the Toronto and Ottawa Supervised Consumption Assessment (TOSCA) a scientific study involving the collection and analysis of data from a variety of sources – Download | TOSCA, Canada
New heroin-assisted treatment April 2012
Recent evidence and current practices of supervised injectable heroin treatment in Europe and beyond – Download | EMCDDA
Leading for outcomes: parental substance misuse April 2012
An outcomes-focused approach in the context of parental substance misuse | IRISS, UK
A war against people who use drugs April 2012
The costs | Eurasian Harm Reduction Network
Providing guidance to policy makers for developing coherent policies for licit and illicit drugs April 2012
This policy paper aims to provide decision makers and policy managers with an overview of the basic principles, instruments and tools that will support them in developing, reviewing and implementing drug policies, strategies and action plans | Pompidou Group, Europe
JSNA support pack for drug and alcohol commissioners March 2012
This document outlines key principles that local areas might consider when developing plans for an integrated recovery system | NTA, UK
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times – Publication Summary March 2012
Full Reports – Data Tables ISD Scotland, UK
National Treatment Indicators Report, 2012 March 2012
The inaugural National Treatment Indicators report – prepared by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse collaboratively with the National Treatment Indicators Working Group – is intended as a first step toward addressing the current gap in substance use treatment data at the national level | Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Naltrexone Sustained Release Preparations ( Injectible & Implants) March 2012
In response to the ongoing debate regarding the use of naltrexone implants to treat opioid dependence, the Australian National Council on Drugs has released the following statement and fact sheet | ANCD, Australia
Putting Full Recovery First – the Recovery Roadmap March 2012
This document, Putting Full Recovery First, outlines our roadmap for building a new treatment system based on our commitments made in the Drug Strategy: to restrict the supply of drugs; to reduce the demand for drugs; and to support individuals to be free of dependence | Home Office, UK
The Forgotten Carers: Support for adult family members affected by a relative’s drug problems March 2012
This briefing provides an overview of the key findings and implications of a study investigating the extent and nature of support provided to adult family members affected by a relative’s drug problems | UKDPC
Adult Family Members Affected by a Relative’s Substance Misuse March 2012
A UK-wide survey of services for adult family members | UKDPC
Adult Family Members Affected by a Relative’s Substance Misuse March 2012
Review of Policy and Guidance Documents across the UK | UKDPC
Adult Family Members Affected by a Relative’s Substance Misuse March 2012
Qualitative Interviews with Commissioners and Service Providers in England and Scotland | UKDPC
Using mathematical modelling to extrapolate results from the North American Opiate Medication Initiative, we found that diacetylmorphine may be more effective and less costly than methadone among people with chronic opioid dependence refractory to treatment | Canadian Medical Association Journal
Funding for drug treatment and recovery services 2012-13 February 2012
Local drug partnerships in England are being incentivised to provide drug treatment services that sustain recovery as part of a £466.7m funding settlement for 2012-13. Local allocations | NTA, UK
Community-Based Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs Providing Naloxone February 2012
To address the substantial increases in opioid-related drug overdose deaths, public health agencies could consider comprehensive measures that include teaching laypersons how to respond to overdoses and administer naloxone to those in need. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, USA
Safe Management and Use of Controlled Drugs in Prison Health in England February 2012
Final report | National Prescribing Centre, UK
Drug treatment in England: the road to recovery February 2012
Having got record numbers of users into treatment quickly, the system is now responding to the recovery ambition of the 2010 Drug Strategy | National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK
The role of GPs in the recovery process February 2012
A collaboration with the Substance Misuse Management in General Practice — SMMGP – which recognised the potential for this film to be an engagement tool for GPs beyond those at the two project sites. You Tube video from | RSA, UK
Guidance for the use of substitute prescribing in the treatment of opioid dependence in primary care February 2012
This guidance covers the use of substitute medication, which can be an important element in the treatment of opioid dependent patients and their medically assisted recovery | SMMGP, UK
Briefing paper: Illicit Drugs and Public Health in 2012 February 2012
This paper sets out some of the issues and challenges for the delivery of drug interventions in the new public health system | UKDPC
Hepatitis C and HIV Co-infection January 2012
Approximately 9% of HIV positive people in the UK are co-infected with hepatitis C | NAT, UK
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance report ‘More for less? Independent advocacy – more demand, less funding’ January 2012
Independent advocacy aims to help people by supporting them to express their own views, wishes and desires and to make informed choices | IRISS, UK
2011
National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times December 2011
Period ending July – Sept 2011 | Drug Misuse in Scotland, UK
Alcohol and other drug treatment services 2009 – 2010 December 2011
Australian Capital Territory – Queensland – Western Australia – New South Wales | AIHW, Australia
Treatment admissions for abuse of prescription pain relievers December 2011
New report (Treatment Episode Data Set 1999-2009) shows treatment admissions for abuse of prescription pain relievers have risen 430 percent from 1999-2009 | SAMHSA, USA
Statistics for young people in specialist drug and alcohol services in England 2010-11 December 2011
This statistical release presents key results from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) on the number of young people attending specialist substance misuse services in England in 2010-11 | NDTMS, UK
Child Protection and Mothers in Substance Abuse Treatment December 2011
This report presents the major findings from the Child Protection and Mothers in Substance Abuse Treatment study, a three-year study funded by NSW Community Services, Department of Family and Community Services, and the University of New South Wales | NDARC, Australia
Data from the latest National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services December 2011
The report finds that overall there was very little change in the scope and nature of these treatment facilities from 2006 to 2010 | SAMHSA, USA
Substance misuse services in adult prisons in England November 2011
As part of the Government’s October 2010 spending review, responsibility for the funding of non-clinical substance misuse services in contracted adult prisons in England transfered to NHS primary care trusts. This letter published jointly by the Department and National Offender Management Service outlines the next steps required to intergrate substance misuse services in prisons | Department of Health, UK
Position Paper: Pharmacotherapy – Key Points November 2011
Key points and recommendations from the Pharmacotherapy Position Paper | VAADA, Australia
New guidance on prison prescribing November 2011
The Secure Environments Group at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has published guidance for GPs and pharmacists on Safer Prescribing in Prison. Download | RCGP, UK
Holding Pattern November 2011
An exploratory study of the lived experiences of those on methadone maintenance in Dublin North East | The Clients Forum of the Dublin North East Drugs Task Force, Ireland
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2009-10 November 2011
Report on the National Minimum Data Setreport on the National Minimum Data Set – Download | AIHW, Australia
Adjunctive counselling during brief and extended buprenorphine-naloxone treatment November 2011
In this randomised clinical trial conducted in the US, researchers sought to evaluate the efficacy of brief and extended buprenorphine hydrochloride–naloxone hydrochloride treatment, with different counselling intensities, for patients dependent on prescription opioids | National electronic Library for Medicines, UK
Child Protection and Mothers in Substance Abuse Treatment November 2011
This report presents the major findings from the Child Protection and Mothers in Substance Abuse Treatment study, a three-year study funded by NSW Community Services, Department of Family and Community Services, and the University of New South Wales | NDARC, Australia
Buprenorphine Guideline for treatment of Opioid Dependence November 2011
A new clinical guideline released by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will help enable health care practitioners to provide buprenorphine (combined with naloxone), the most effective medication since methadone to treat the growing problem of opioid addiction in Canada | CAMH, Canada
Developing the workforce for mental health improvement: a strategic approach November 2011
In ‘Towards a Mentally Healthy Scotland’ the Scottish Government committed to produce a workforce development strategy for the mental health improvement workforce. This strategy was to guide planners and the workforce themselves to ensure that they have the skills needed to further mental health improvement in Scotland. Download | Health Scotland, UK
Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Pediatricians November 2011
This statement reviews recommended referral guidelines that are based on established patient-treatment–matching criteria and the risk level for substance abuse | Pediatrics Journal
The role of education in developing recovery capital in recovery from substance addiction October 2011
This report is derived from an analysis of data from 20 in-depth interviews with individuals in recovery from substance addiction; the data was collected as part of a wider study that explored how people recover from drug addiction and how they manage the process of social reintegration | Soilse Drug Rehabilitation Project, Dublin
Beyond Methadone – Improving Health and Empowering Patients in Opioid Treatment October 2011
Our research findings cover topics as diverse as hepatitis C, overdose prevention, syringe access, alternatives to methadone (burprenorphine), treatment interruptions, patient rights and involvement, and harassment by security and police | Vocal New York, USA
The Treatment of Incarcerated Mentally Disordered Women Offenders October 2011
A Synthesis of Current Research | University of Western Ontario, Canada
Employment, education and training and recovery October 2011
Recovery Partnership briefing for the Inter-Ministerial Group on Drug Policy … Treatment providers are well placed to provide life skills and employment preparation support from the start of treatment … There is concern about a disinvestment in employment-related support, capacity and expertise, particularly since publication of the drug strategy in December 2010 | Recovery Partnership,
Director of Mental Health- Annual Report 2010 October 2011
This is the sixth annual report of the Office of the Director of Mental Health | Ministry of Health, New Zealand
Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness October 2011
A Guide for Service Providers | United States Department of Labor
Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) October 2011
This report presents information relating to drug treatment in England from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 | National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK
The figures are analysed in an NTA report
Drug treatment and recovery 2010-11 | National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK
Management of SUDS & mental health problems among people who use drugs October 2011
The guideline is divided into two parts- the first is for health staff generally and the second – Assessing and managing common mental health problems among people who use drugs and attend HAARP service sites – is for mental health professionals and advanced practitioners | Australian Aid
TEDS Report – Length of Time from First Use to Adult Treatment Admission September 2011
Among adult first-time treatment admissions, an average of 15.6 years elapsed between first use of the primary substance of abuse and treatment entry | SAMHSA, USA
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times September 2011
This release includes quarterly data from 1st April 2011 to 30th June 2011 at National, Health Board and Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) level | ISD, Scotland, UK
Risks from forced detoxification from heroin are being ignored, conference hears September 2011
Changes of policy on provision of services to drug users risk forcing thousands of people into detoxification and abstinence programmes before they are ready, a primary care specialist in drug misuse has warned. The potential consequences could be fatal | BMJ, UK
Through the maze September 2011
A series of videos from the Drug Policy Symposium “Through the Maze: Making Treatment Better” was held on 30 August 2011. Also podcasts & powerpoints | New Zealand Drug Foundation
Turning the Tide Vision Paper September 2011
Turning the Tide is a joint publication by | Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) and Revolving Doors, UK
Suboxone for Short-term Detoxification September 2011
A Review of the Clinical Evidence | Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Australia’s evolving responses to co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders September 2011
Submission to the Inquiry into the Commonwealth Funding and Administration of Mental Health Services | Dual Diagnosis, Australia
The ethics and effectiveness of coerced treatment of drug users September 2011
A paper presented at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing, 6-7 September 2011 | Alex Stevens
Evaluation of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Intiative 2010 August 2011
Since the inception of VDDI, some additional strategies have been added, including youth specific positions, additional psychiatric time, funding to support rotations between sectors and the establishment of an education and training unit. Appendices| Department of Health, Victoria, Australia
A summary of the health harms of drugs August 2011
A reference document summarising, for a non-medical audience, the latest scientific evidence about the health-related harms of emerging and established licit and illicit drugs commonly used in the UK | NTA, UK
A summary of the health harms of drugs – Technical document August 2011
This technical document accompanies ‘A summary of the health harms of drugs’. It summarises methodological aspects of the work; articles identified through literature searches; and references for literature used | NTA, UK
Naltrexone implant treatment for opioid dependence August 2011
Senate Notice Paper, Page 78 | The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia
Recovery-orientated drug treatment July 2011
An interim report by professor John Strang, chair of the expert group | NTA, UK
Doctors urged to review drug patients to ensure they are working to achieve recovery July 2011
In an interim report for the NTA, Professor John Strang, head of the National Addiction Centre, signals the direction of new clinical guidance for treating the estimated 260,000 heroin addicts in England | NTA, UK
Healthy lives, healthy people: update and way forward July 2011
This policy statement reaffirms the Government’s bold vision for a new public health system. It sets out the progress we have made in developing our vision for public health, and a timeline for completing the operational design of this work through a series of Public Health System Reform Updates. Download | Department of Health, UK
Drug Treatment and Testing Orders: Guidance for Schemes July 2011
The emphasis of a DTTO is on drugs treatment as the primary means of reducing offending behaviour rather than the specific offence focused approach of a probation order | Scottish Government, UK
National Drug Treatment Waiting Times June 2011
Information on the number of clients seen and the length of time they waited to be seen for various interventions, quarter ending March 2011. Full report – Summary | NHS Lothian, UK
Victorian Pharmacotherapy Review June 2011
The purpose of the review was to develop an evidence-based options paper ‘to ensure pharmacotherapy services in Victoria remain responsive to current and future demand while improving accessibility for clients and reducing service gaps’ | DPMP: NDARC, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre: Eastern Health, Australia
Treatment Episode Data Set 1999 – 2009 June 2011
The report provides information on the demographic and substance abuse characteristics of admissions to treatment aged 12 and older for abuse of alcohol and/or drugs in facilities that report to individual State administrative data systems | SAMHSA, USA
National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data collection 2010 June 2011
On a snapshot day in 2010 there were 46,078 clients who received pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence, of which almost two in three were male | AIHW, Australia
Therapeutic interventions for users of amphetamine-type stimulants June 2011
WHO Technical brief on ATS No.4 | World Health Organisation via IDPC
Alcohol and Drugs – Training Needs Analysis Guide June 2011
This report looks at how we can tackle the alcohol and drugs problem in Scotland – Download | Health Scotland, UK
Recovery Defined June 2011
A Unified Working Definition and Set of Principles | SAMHSA, USA
Medicine and the Epidemic of Incarceration in the United States June 2011
Locking up millions of people for drug-related crimes has failed as a public-safety strategy and has harmed public health in the communities to which these men and women return. A new evidence-based approach is desperately needed | New England Journal of Medicine, USA
Psychiatrists document adverse effects of mephedrone June 2011
Psychiatrists in Scotland have published the first known case series documenting the adverse psychological effects of mephedrone | Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK
New guide safeguards children affected by substance misuse June 2011
A new practical guide issued on Wednesday, 1st June by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse says those responsible for drink and drug treatment must take a wider, more preventative approach, identifying early on when families need help as well as protecting children from neglect and harm | NTA, UK
Substance abuse treatment facilities offering counseling services in Asian languages May 2011
New report shows the availability of substance abuse treatment facilities offering counseling services in Asian languages varies by region | SAMHSA, USA
National Care Standards: Care Homes for people with drug and alcohol misuse problems May 2011
The standards have been developed from the point of view of people who use the services and are grouped under headings which follow the person’s journey through the service | Scottish Government, UK
Taking Drugs Seriously May 2011
A Demos and UK Drug Policy Commission report on legal highs. Full report and background paper | UKDPC
Is unhealthy substance use associated with failure to receive cancer screening and flu vaccination? May 2011
Unhealthy substance use is a risk factor for not receiving all appropriate preventive health services | British Medical Journal
Ministry of Justice business plan May 2011
1.3 Work with the Department of Health to co-design and establish pilots to provide payments, based on outcomes, to providers to help individuals (including offenders) achieve sustained recovery from drug dependency | Ministry of Justice, UK
Addiction to Medicine May 2011
Addiction to medicine: an investigation into the configuration and commissioning of treatment services to support those who develop problems with prescription-only or over-the-counter medicine | NTA, UK
2008 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) report on discharges from substance abuse facilities April 2011
The report provides information on treatment completion, length of stay, substances of abuse, demographic information and other statistical data about those aged 12 and older who were discharged from drug treatment facilities in 2008 – PDF | SAMHSA, USA
Radical approach to drugs recovery piloted April 2011
Eight areas in England will test innovative new ways to help drug addicts recover and achieve a sustained recovery, Public Health Minister Anne Milton announced | Department of Health, UK
Funding for 2011/12 substance misuse services in prisons April 2011
Joint letter from Department of Health, National Offender Management Service and National Treatment Agency confirming funding allocations for substance misuse services in adult prisons in England for 2011/12. The Department of Health became responsible for these services in April 2011 | Department of Health, UK
The 2010 Spending Review transferred responsibility for substance misuse services in adult prisons in England to the Department of Health from April 2011. This letter confirms new responsibilities and funding allocations for 2011/12 | Department of Health, UK
Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental and Substance Use Disorders April 2011
What’s Working, What’s Needed? | SAMHSA, USA
Opioid substitution therapy in resource-poor settings April 2011
One of the most consistent findings in both high-income and resource-poor settings is that the more time injecting drug users spend on opioid substitution therapy, the better the outcomes and the less they are likely to engage in high risk behaviours | World Health Organization
Allies for Recovery Comorbidity Family Information Pack March 2011
PDF [Criminology Research Unit, University of Tasmania]
Comorbidity Competencies Skills Indicators March 2011
PDF [Criminology Research Unit, University of Tasmania]
Developing Service User Focused Outcomes in Dual Diagnosis: A Practical Tool March 2011
The purpose of this outcomes tool is to support the delivery of quality services for people with co-existing mental health and substance misuse difficulties (dual diagnosis), through a better understanding of service user perspectives [National Mental Health Development Unit, UK]
National drug treatment waiting times March 2011
Period ending Oct – Dec 2010 Statistical Publication Notice [ISD Scotland, UK]
Psychosis with coexisting substance misuse March 2011
This guideline offers best practice advice on the assessment and management of people with psychosis and coexisting substance misuse [NICE, UK]
Social Work Services and Recovery from Substance Misuse March 2011
A review of the evidence [Scottish Government, UK]
Social Work Services and Recovery from Substance Misuse March 2011
Research Findings [Scottish Government, UK]
Health protection in prisons report 2009-2010 March 2011
The work programme for 2009-2010 covered three key areas: improving infectious disease surveillance, the hepatitis B vaccination monitoring programme, and information and communication. This report outlines the progress made in meeting the objectives of the work programme in these key areas [Health Protection Agency, UK]
Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Act 2010 March 2011
The Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Act 2010 (the Act) came into effect in Victoria on 1 March 2011 – Summary PDF [Department of Health, Victoria, Australia]
Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Regulations 2011 March 2011
Authorised by the [Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Australia]
Comorbidity competencies March 2011
Skills indicators – ATOD practitioners will need to support clients with multiple and complex needs – mapping undertaken by Hannah Graham and Rob White as a component of their Salvation Army Bridge Program / University of Tasmania Comorbidity Improved Services Initiative (ISI) capacity building project [School of Sociology & Social Work, University of Tasmania]
Managing Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Services February 2011
The audit found that the Department of Health has no assurance that the service system objectives, of effective case management and continuity of care for clients, and consistent, high quality services, are being achieved. Full report – Summary [Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, Australia]
Continued cannabis use and risk of incidence and persistence of psychotic symptoms: 10 year follow-up cohort study February 2011
Conclusion Cannabis use is a risk factor for the development of incident psychotic symptoms. Continued cannabis use might increase the risk for psychotic disorder by impacting on the persistence of symptoms [British Medical Journal]
Guidance for the use of substitute prescribing in the treatment of opioid dependence in primary care February 2011
1st Edition from [RCGP Substance Misuse Unit (SMU), RCGP Sex, Drugs and HIV Group (SDHIVG), Substance Misuse Management in General Practice (SMMGP), The Alliance]
Drug treatment cash to councils may hinge on recovery rates February 2011
The government proposes to revise the formula for distributing budgets to include an additional element which would reward partnerships for the number of individuals who have successfully overcome addiction in each locality [NTA, UK]
One Pot, one purpose – Recovery funding for 2011-12 February 2011
2011-12 is a key year of transition for the delivery of drug treatment and interventions. The new Drug Strategy sets out a radical step change in ambition for individuals and their recovery. Letter from Paul HayesChief Executive [NTA,UK]
2011-12 allocations in full February 2011
[NTA,UK]
Needs Assessment of Drug and Alcohol Problems in the Scottish Borders (2009) – Evidence into Practice February 2011
Report prepared for [Borders Drug and Alcohol Action Team, UK]
RCGP Certificate in Harm Reduction, Health and Wellbeing for Substance Users February 2011
This section provides access to documents relating to the RCGP Certificate in Harm Reduction, Health and Wellbeing for Substance Users [SMMGP, UK]
What should a recovery-oriented drug treatment system look like? February 2011
Consultation questionnaire 2nd February to 4th May 2011 [NTA, UK]
Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions Receiving Public Assistance January 2011
In 2008, 7.5 percent of substance abuse treatment admissions aged 18 to 54 reported public assistance as their main source of income [SAMHSA, USA]
Curriculum Resources Overview January 2011
Introducing the NIDA CoEs Medical School and Residency Program Curriculum Resources on Drug Abuse and Addiction [NIDA, USA]
Methadone Treatment Protocol Review Launched January 2011
The HSE recently published the Introduction of the Opioid Treatment Protocol, a wide ranging review of the Methadone Treatment Protocol [1998]. The document can be downloaded here [City Wide, Ireland]
Whole Person Recovery – a user-centred systems approach to problem drug misuse January 2011
The RSA’s Whole Person Recovery Project aims to understand in a holistic way how problematic drug and alcohol users become trapped in cycles of addiction, what helps or hinders their journey to recovery, and how their recovery can be sustained – 10MB PDF [RSA, UK]
2010
Advice for drug workers re drug users and employment December 2010
The reintegration and recovery of drug users is at the heart of the new drug strategy. Also a Joint-working Protocol between Jobcentre Plus and treatment providers has been published [National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK]
Funding allocation for drug misuse treatment 2011-12 December 2010
Following the publication of the Drug Strategy, we are now able to give an outline of the national funding streams in support of community drug treatment in England – Read letter [National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK]
Getting Serious about Stigma: the problem with stigmatising drug users December 2010
This report provides an overview of the findings of a wide ranging research project looking at the extent and nature of stigma towards current and ex-drug users and their families. Overview and Summary Background material … Attitudes and Representations in British Press [UKDPC]
Problem benzodiazapine use in Ireland: treatment (2003 to 2008) and deaths (1998 to 2007) December 2010
The paper describes treated problem benzodiazepine use as recorded by the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) for the years 2003–2008, and poisoning deaths where a benzodiazepine was implicated as recorded by the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) for the years 1998–2007 [Health Research Board, Ireland]
Appendix: Problem benzodiazapine use in Ireland: treatment (2003 to 2008) and deaths (1998 to 2007) December 2010
This appendix contains additional tables and figures with supplementary data from the NDTRS [Health Research Board, Ireland]
A Youth Worker’s Guide to Nutrition for Young People December 2010
The guide has been compiled with feedback from staff and clients in Youth Justice centres to ensure that the requested nutrition information is included [Government of Victoria, Australia]
Drug strategy 2010 (PDF file – 477kb) December 2010
This is the 2010 drug strategy, ‘Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life’ [Home Office, UK]
Impact assessment (PDF file – 311kb) December 2010
This document provides an overarching assessment of the impacts of the new drug strategy [Home Office, UK]
Equality screening document (PDF file – 222kb) December 2010
This document summarises the initial findings of the equality considerations for the new drug strategy [Home Office, UK]
Final Connections Project Update: December 2010
T3E final research report – Ethnicity, drugs, HIV and prisons in Europe
Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) Report: Prison and Risks
EU drugs agency launches new guidelines for HIV testing in injecting drug users November 2010
More injecting drug users should undergo tests for HIV, viral hepatitis and other infections such as tuberculosis, says the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). In new guidelines published today on the eve of World AIDS Day [EMCDDA]
Interventions and Treatment for Problematic Use of Methamphetamine and other Amphetamine-Type Stimulants November 2010
These guidelines have been developed for use across a wide range of settings for those working with people adversely affected by methamphetamine use. PDF [Ministry of Health, New Zealand]
Drug and alcohol treatment sector drives up standards of care November 2010
Doctors, former drug users, healthcare managers and charities, among others, have formed a unique new partnership to drive up standards in drug and alcohol treatment in England and help more people achieve recovery [Substance Misuse Skills Consortium, UK]
QuADs Support Project November 2010
QuADS (Quality Standards in Alcohol and Drugs Services) is a quality standards framework that was developed by Drug Scope and Alcohol Concern in the UK in 1999 and has been selected as the guiding quality standard framework for HSE Addiction Services in Ireland [Ana Liffey Drug Project, Ireland]
Progression Routes November 2010
The Progression Routes Initiative connects interagency service delivery with national policy, promoting best practice through pilot initiatives and the provision of practical organisational supports [Progression Routes, Ireland]
Facing the future, DrugScope conference Nov 2010 November 2010
Presentations from the DrugScope conference including Anne Milton MP’s Ministerial Address [DrugScope, UK]
Access to social networking tools in the AOD sector’ November 2010
Social networking is becoming a key medium for communication and community building in all areas of life. Increasingly social networking is being utilised in the not-for-profit sector to increase community development, information dissemination and engagement with our clients [Uniting Care Moreland Hall, Australia]
Treatment and care for older drug users November 2010
This special review published alongside the 2010 Annual report, reveals why drug use is no longer simply a ‘youth phenomenon’ [EMCDDA]
NTA fulfils promise on expert group on medication & recovery November 2010
An expert group chaired by Prof John Strang of the National Addiction Centre meets for the first time today (8th November) to start developing new expert guidance on how the prescribing of medications can help individuals achieve fuller recovery [National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK]
Independent Drugs Enquiry Report November 2010
Rather than a blizzard of recommendations, we offer two challenges: the need for a whole nation approach to changing the culture in which drugs and alcohol misuse takes place; and the ‘Circle of Care’ which is a person centred approach to delivering services to those who misuse drugs and alcohol – PDF [STRADA, UK]
Facing the future: Paul Hayes’ speech to Drugscope conference November 2010
Harm reduction services will remain a cornerstone of a balanced drug treatment system even as it adopts a more recovery-oriented focus, according to Paul Hayes, Chief Executive [NTA, UK]
Risk of death during and after opiate substitution treatment in primary care October 2010
Prospective observational study in UK General Practice Research Database [BMJ, UK]
Integrating Appropriate Services for Substance Use Conditions in Health Care Settings October 2010
An Issue Brief on Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead [Treatment Research Institute , USA]
Statistical release October 2010
Statistics for drug treatment activity in England 2009-10 from NDTMS [NTA, UK]
Report October 2010
Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System:1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010 [NTA, UK]
Drug Treatment in 2009-10 October 2010
The findings of this independent study indicate the first signs of an important shift among this hard-to-reach population. For example, they report a real decrease in the number of opiate users: put simply, there are now almost 11,000 fewer heroin addicts in England [NTA, UK]
Guidelines for testing HIV, viral hepatitis and other infections in injecting drug users October 2010
These guidelines are accompanied by a recommended package of prevention and primary care in relation to injecting drug users and infections [EMCDDA]
Groundbreaking new NTA research offers new hope for drug addicts September 2010
In an international first, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) has tracked the post-treatment journey of thousands of drug users over a four year period and has discovered that almost half of those discharged in one year subsequently demonstrated sustained recovery from addiction – Download [NTA, UK]
Mental Health Screenings and Trauma-Related Counseling in Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities September 2010
In 2009, more than half (62 percent) of all substance abuse treatment facilities provided brief mental health screenings that could be used to identify clients in need of trauma services; less than half (42 percent) provided full diagnostic mental health assessments [SAMHSA, USA]
Board meeting and papers September 2010
For meeting on 5 October 2010 [NTA, UK]
National drug treatment waiting times framework National reports September 2010
Apr – Jun ’10 PDF [Drug Misuse in Scotland, UK]
Drug addicts get more help to recover in the community September 2010
Local health and voluntary agency schemes across England aimed at supporting addicts to continue their recovery in their community are amongst those who will benefit from a share of £8m of new money. Full details of all the projects supported [NTA, UK]
John Strang on the concept of supervised injecting heroin clinics and the birth of the RIOTT trial September 2010
John describes how from the mid 90’s onwards he and others were keen to do a good quality trial of injectable maintenance. He goes on to talk about international developments, and the improving quality of the science. One of three new videos [FEAD, UK]
Annual Review 2009 Launched September 2010
The Merchants Quay Ireland Annual Review for 2009 was launched on Friday, 24th September, by Mr. John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy prison [Merchants Quay, Ireland]
Heroin maintenance for chronic heroin-dependent individuals September 2010
The available evidence suggests a small added value of heroin prescribed alongside flexible doses of methadone for long-term, treatment-refractory opioid users, considering a decrease in the use of street heroin and other illicit substances, and in the probability of being imprisoned; and an increase in retention in treatment – Intervention Review [Cochrane Library]
NTA issues ‘free mapping’ tool to prison drug workers September 2010
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) has issued all prisons in England with a tool-kit to help health specialists provide vital talking therapies for inmates seeking to quit drugs. Download [NTA, UK]
Pregnancy and complex social factors September 2010
A model for service provision for pregnant women with complex social factors. Section 1.2 Pregnant women who misuse substances (alcohol and/or drugs) [NICE, UK]
Research For Recovery: A Review of the Drugs Evidence Base September 2010
A review of international evidence to support Scotland’s National Drugs Strategy, The Road to Recovery. This report presents evidence on effective treatment and recovery from substance misuse – Main findings [Scottish Government, UK]
A Grounded Theory of Detoxification-Seeking Among Heroin Users in South East Ireland August 2010
This study explores a central phenomenon of detoxification-seeking among heroin users in the South East of Ireland, through a grounded theory approach [Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland]
Extreme social stigma holds back drug recovery August 2010
The extreme stigma attached to drug addiction represents a massive obstacle to rehabilitation and recovery; hindering access to treatment, securing work and housing and rejoining society, and lasting for very long periods of time [UK Drug Policy Commission]
Merseyside DIP Re-presentation Report 2008/09 August 2010
This report examines which client characteristics are associated with those who re-presented through both DIP and the drug testing data in 08/09 and compares them to those who did not re-present [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]
The Potential of Recovery Capital August 2010
This paper is the first in a series that will shape our understanding of the advancing ‘Recovery Movement’ and will inform the RSA Recovery Capital Project in Peterborough. In this first paper, Dr David Best and Dr Alexandre Laudet seek to define recovery capital to capture its flavour and principles, and to look at the intrinsically social forces that are at play in shaping change and in growing the communities of recovery – download [RSA, UK]
Final Report June 2010 [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]
NTA Business Plan 2010/11 August 2010
The key actions identified in the Business Plan are: Improving outcomes – Better value for money – Championing abstinence-focussed treatment – Commissioning a rebalanced treatment system – Rehabilitating offenders [NTA, UK]
An evaluation of the compulsory drug treatment program (CDTP) August 2010
The research involved a series of face-to-face interviews with CDTP participants [NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Australia]
National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework Document July 2010
This document has been produced arising out of recommendations from the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, May 2007, as a framework to assist services to plan practically and implement a range of different approaches to provide an ‘Integrated Care Pathway’ for former and current drug users [Health Services Executive, Ireland]
Finding the Right Help July 2010
Pathways for Culturally Diverse Clients with Cannabis Use and Mental Health Issues [Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre, Australia]
Heroin assisted treatment, the state of play July 2010
Briefing Paper [IDPC]
State election 2010 – An accessible and quality drug treatment system July 2010
This paper was produced in June and utilised during meetings with Members of Parliament in Drug Action Week [VAADA, Australia]
Drugs & diversity: the impact of drugs on different minority groups July 2010
These wide-ranging reports describe what is known about treatment and prevention within diverse communities, including LGBT groups, disabled people and BME communities [UKDPC]
Accessibility of HIV Prevention for People who Use Drugs and Incarcerated People July 2010
Accessibility of HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care Services for People who Use Drugs and Incarcerated People in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: Legislative and Policy Analysis and Recommendations for Reform. PDF download [Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network]
Comorbid substance and non-substance mental health disorders and re-offending among NSW prisoners July 2010
These results suggest that an effective way of reducing re-offending is to treat prisoners who have comorbid substance and non-substance mental health disorders [NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Australia]
Analysis of national programmes on HIV and drug control July 2010
Accessibility of HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care Services for People who Use Drugs and Incarcerated People in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: Legislative and Policy Analysis and Recommendations for Reform – Download PDF report [Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, UNODC]
Cannabis Factsheets for GPs and their patients July 2010
NCPIC has produced this series of factsheets specifically for use by GPs in their treatment of patients experiencing cannabis-related issues [NCPIC, Australia]
Cambodia and the United Nations collaborate on community-based drug dependence treatment July 2010
Treatnet, which is now in its second phase, is a UNODC initiative that promotes diversified and accessible quality drug dependence treatment and care services, including HIV/AIDS prevention and care [UNODC]
This qualitative study examines the experiences of those with co-existing issues engaging with mental health or alcohol and other drug services [NCPIC, Australia]
Green Paper on Criminal Justice and Addiction July 2010
This paper presents an achievable vision that places full recovery at the heart of the drug and alcohol treatment system, and rehabilitation at the heart of the criminal justice system [Centre for Social Justice, UK]
Process Evaluation of the Drug Treatment and Testing Orders II (DTTO II) Pilots July 2010
A report about the set-up and operation of the Drug Treatment and Testing Order II (DTTO II) Pilots in Scotland, including early indications of effectiveness [Scottish Government, UK]
Opiate substitution treatment in injecting drug users in primary care reduces this risk of mortality, with survival benefits increasing with cumulative exposure to treatment. Treatment does not reduce the overall duration of injecting [British Medical Journal]
National drug treatment waiting times June 2010
Data from the Drug Treatment Waiting Times Information Framework [ISD Scotland, UK]
NIDA/SAMHSA Blending Initiative June 2010
Harnessing the skills, resources, and knowledge of two federal agencies to facilitate moving important scientific findings into mainstream addiction treatment practice is the goal of the NIDA/SAMHSA Blending Initiative [ATTC, USA]
Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings June 2010
These WHO guidelines are designed to assist staff of closed settings to provide safe and effective withdrawal management and treatment services for people who use drugs in the Western Pacific Region – PDF [WHO]
Trends in injecting drug use in Europe June 2010
This volume brings together data from a wide variety of sources as it describes Europe’s current drug injecting problem and plots its trends in recent years – PDF [EMCDDA]
Cost Offset of Treatment Services June 2010
Limited research in some States suggests that there is a major benefit to substance use treatment [SAMHSA, USA]
Routes to recovery: Psychosocial interventions in drug misuse June 2010
A framework and toolkit for implementing NICE-recommended treatment interventions [NTA, UK]
Problem drug use and safeguarding children: a multi agency approach June 2010
This chapter explores the social context in which ‘problem drug users’ and ‘inadequate parents’ are constructed … key issues and difficulties involved in working with problem drug users whose children are considered to be at risk of abuse or neglect [Julian Buchanan, Glyndwr University, UK]
Health Reform –what’s happened to mental health June 2010
PowerPoint critique of the new Commonwealth mental health reforms from Professor John Mendoza, (Chair, Ministerial Advisory Council on Mental Health) [NACMH, Australia]
2010 Annual Evidence Update – Drugs misuse – treatment in offender populations June 2010
This evidence update covers drugs misuse treatment in offender populations with a special focus on female offenders [NHS Evidence – National Library for Public Health, UK]
Treatment of illicit drug use at individual level June 2010
This section summarises evidence about the effect of the most common treatments offered to illicit drug users [EMCDDA]
Coming Clean: Combating drug misuse in prisons June 2010
This report contends that there are a series of fundamental problems with the way these issues are approached – and that despite repeated warning signs, the Prison Service appears destined to continue down the same failed path – PDF [Policy Exchange, UK]
Supporting All Women and Girls June 2010
As part of the White House Council on Women and Girls, ONDCP released its first report detailing programs, policies, and initiatives that are aimed at supporting women, both within our workforce and in communities everywhere [ONDCP, USA]
Detention as Treatment May 2010
Detention of Methamphetamine Users in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand PDF [Open Society Institute, USA]
National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistical Annual Data collection: 2009 May 2010
Provides information on key questions relating to the number of clients receiving pharmacotherapy treatment, the type of treatment they receive, who prescribes the treatment, where the treatment is received (dosed) and how pharmacotherapy fits more generally with treatment in Australia [Australian Institute of Health and Welfare]
Time for a fresh look at drug policy governance May 2010
Lancet Editorial ACMD (17 April 2010) – Response from the [UK Drug Policy Commission]
Australian Government’s National Drugs Campaign May 2010
Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) has announced a new partnership with the Australian Government’s National Drugs Campaign (NDC) offering Drug Action Week organisers the ability to order free NDC promotional material [Australian Government]
14th RCGP Conference Presentations Now Available May 2010
The highly successful 15th National RCGP Conference (“Working with Drug & Alcohol Users in Primary Care – Integrating Practice and Policy: Everyone’s Business”) was held in Glasgow on 22-23 April 2010. Downloads here [SMMGP, UK]
Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Initiatives May 2010
Including recordings from a seminar hosted at North Sydney on the 23rd of March 2010 [Health NSW, Australia]
Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders May 2010
This report examines the latest evidence on the complex interconnection between addiction and mental illness [CCSA, Canada]
Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 1998 – 2008
[SAMHSA, USA]
Standards and guidelines for practices May 2010
This page contains a listing of national drug treatment guidelines in Europe [EMCDDA]
Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain May 2010
Including – Managing Opioid Misuse and Addiction in CNCP Patients [Via- McMaster University, Canada]
“Stop the Top”: NTA response… vs the evidence May 2010
Dr Jason Luty revealed research in the March 2010 issue of Addiction Today showing that the National Treatment Agency’s Top Treatment Outcome Profile form is “criminally invalid”. The NTA’s Colin Bradbury gives his defence below – and Addiction Today editor Deirdre Boyd balances the scales by laying out some of the facts ascertaining the validity of NTA claims [Addiction Today, UK]
Treating drug dependence through healthcare, not punishment [UNODC]
New book takes cross-party look at help for those facing multiple problems April 2010
A new Fabian Society publication, produced in conjunction with a range of partners, including The Making Every Adult Matter coalition – formed of Clinks, DrugScope, Homeless Link and Mind, takes a cross party approach to analysing multiple needs and exclusions – download free from MEAM [DrugScope, UK]
Ensuring integrated treatment for people with mental health and substance use problems April 2010
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 April 2010
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]
Indigenous specific alcohol and other drug interventions April 2010
A report identifying the areas of greatest need to address harmful Indigenous drug and alcohol use [NIDAC, Australia]
National Hep C Strategy April 2010
hird National Hepatitis C Strategy 2010-2013 [Hepatitis NSW, Australia]
National Hep B Strategy April 2010
National Hepatitis B Strategy 2010-2013 [Hepatitis NSW, Australia]
National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Virus Strategy April 2010
Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2010–2013.[Hepatitis NSW, Australia]
Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders April 2010
This report examines the latest evidence on the complex interconnection between addiction and mental illness [CCSA, Canada]
Merseyside DIP Demographics Report 08/09 April 2010
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 April 2010
A comparative study of the characteristics of DIP clients in Merseyside [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]
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]
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]
Indigenous-specific alcohol and other drug interventions April 2010
Nationwide Review of Investment into Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Programs [ANCD, Australia]
Tackling problem drug use April 2010
Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence [The Committee of Public Accounts, House of Commons, UK]
Treated problem drug use in Ireland April 2010
2008 figures from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System [HRB, Ireland]
Methadone is key to effective drug treatment April 2010
As a group of experts in the treatment of opiate-dependent people, we write to express our dismay about the continuing misrepresentation in the media of the evidence on the effectiveness of methadone treatment [The Scotsman, UK]
Lowering the Threshold April 2010
Models of Accessible Methadone and Buprenorphine Treatment – PDF [Open Society Institute, USA]
National drug treatment waiting times framework National reports March 2010
Period ending Oct – Dec 2009 [DMIS, Scotland, UK]
Human Rights and Drug Policy March 2010
Briefings for the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs [Open Society Institute]
First four-year study of women in drug treatment March 2010
Far fewer women are entering treatment for heroin addiction but more women are successfully completing treatment for drug dependency than ever before, according to a detailed study of statistics about women in treatment in England released by the [NTA, UK]
Accountability, transparency and value for money – the NTA’s new structure March 2010
This has given the NTA the opportunity to improve working across the organisation and to mainstream quality considerations in day to day business. The new top level organisational restructure is available here ppt [NTA, UK]
TIP 51 Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women March 2010
This TIP endorses a biopsychosociocultural framework based on clinical practice and research centered on women [SAMHSA, USA]
TIP 52: Clinical Supervision and Professional Development of the Substance Abuse Counselor March 2010
Including an Implementation Guide for Administrators [SAMHSA, USA]
Drug and alcohol treatment in the North West of England 2008/09 March 2010
This publication details the results of the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) in the North West of England during 2008/09 [Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK]
Indigenous Dual Diagnosis Training Project March 2010
Training Evaluation Report [Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative, Australia]
VA Faces Challenges in Providing Substance Use Disorder Services March 2010
And Is Taking Steps to Improve These Services for Veterans – Summary [GAO, USA]
Powder cocaine: how the treatment system is responding to a growing problem March 2010
Effective treatment is available for people who have a powder-cocaine problem – seven in ten of those who come into treatment either stop using or reduce their use substantially within six months… [NTA, UK]
A guide to substance misuse for medical professionals: part 1 February 2010
[HSE, Ireland]
A guide to substance misuse for medical professionals: part 2 February 2010
[HSE, Ireland]
Young people’s treatment at the crossroads February 2010
The drug and alcohol treatment system needs to be more flexible if it is to effectively meet the needs of older teenagers and young adults developing substance misuse problems, according to a new DrugScope report [DrugScope, UK]
Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research: Report to the California Legislature February 2010
As a result of the vision and foresight of the California State Legislature Medical Marijuana Research Act (SB847), the CMCR has successfully conducted the first clinical trials of smoked cannabis in the United States in more than 20 years [ Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, USA]
DSM-5 Development February 2010
Substance-Related Disorders [American Psychiatric Association]
Parliamentary Briefing February 2010
The latest parliamentary briefing from the [National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK]
Anthrax – Information for Health Professionals February 2010
[Health Protection Agency, UK]
Anthrax – Advice for heroin users February 2010
[Health Protection Agency, UK]
Management of cannabis use disorder and related issues February 2010
A clinician’s guide [National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, Australia]
New alcohol and other drug guidelines February 2010
New guidelines on the management of co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions in alcohol and other drug treatment settings [NDARC, Australia]
Competencies for Canada’s Substance Abuse Workforce February 2010
Under the leadership of the National Advisory Group on Workforce Development (NAGWD)—a working group composed of subject matter experts/senior managers from across Canada—undertook a Competencies Project to detail the technical and behavioural competencies needed by the substance abuse workforce to perform effectively to ensure quality client care [CCSA, Canada]
Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Bill 2009 January 2010
The Bill is likely to be passed or rejected by parliamentarians in February of this year [Victorian Government, Australia]
A total of 1,132 substance abuse treatment facilities (or 8 percent of all substance abuse treatment facilities) operated an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in 2008, a percentage that has remained constant since 2002 [SAMHSA, USA]
Ian Wardle Lifeline CEO on FEAD January 2010
Discussions and documents from Ian Wardle [CEO Lifeline, UK]
Take-homenaloxone January 2010
Welcome to take-homenaloxone.com. This is a website run by independent academics and healthcare professionals aimed at raising the awareness and profile of the use of take-home naloxone as a mechanism for reducing drug-related death, and to provide a forum for discussing innovation, training and practice developments [Take-homenaloxone]
Commissioning for Recovery January 2010
An essential guide for drug action teams in England, which summarises the best of current commissioning practice in the drug treatment field [National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, UK]
NSDUH Report – Substance Use Treatment Need and Receipt among People Living in Poverty January 2010
Combined 2006 to 2008 data indicate that 3.7 million persons aged 12 or older living in poverty were in need of substance use treatment in the past year [SAMHSA, USA]
Nick Heather on controlled drinking and the relationship to harm reduction January 2010
Nick distinguishes between harm reduction and harm elimination. He describes the way in which views of harm reduction in the USA have ‘muddied the waters’ in relation to the goal of controlled drinking. Nick says that the controlled drinking goal in the alcohol field may have been watered down more recently by the influence of the concept of harm reduction from the illicit drugs field [FEAD, UK]
Nick Heather explores harmful choices and explains Hyperbolic Discounting January 2010
Nick references George Ainslie’s work on ‘pico-economics’ and ‘breakdown of will’. He explains the idea of hyperbolic discounting and how this related to addiction. He also explores the concepts of resolutions and preferences and how these relate to our understanding of addiction [FEAD, UK]
Nick Heather on ‘Choice, Behavioural Economics and Addiction’ January 2010
Nick describes the background of a conference he convened with Rudy Vuchinich on behavioural economics and its relevance to addiction, and the book that arose from this conference. He also talks about Alcoholics Anonymous and how its benefits could be applied to secular mutual-aid groups. He then references the work of Keith Humphreys on self-help groups [FEAD, UK]
2009
The Guidelines are based on the best available evidence and draw upon the experience and knowledge of clinicians, researchers, consumers and carers [National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre – UNSW – Faculty of Medicine, Australia]
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2007-08 December 2009
Findings from the National Minimum Data Set [AIHW, Australia]
Clinical Supervision and Professional Development of the Substance Abuse Counselor December 2009
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 52 – Part 1 for clinical supervisors and Part 2 for program administrators. 45-page PDF [SAMHSA, USA]
Adult family members and carers of dependent drug users – full report November 2009
The full 55-page PDF report by Prof. Alex Copello, Lorna Templeton and Dr Jane Powell [UKDPC]
Improving health, supporting justice November 2009
The national delivery plan of the Health and Criminal Justice Programme Board. 68-page PDF [DoH, UK]
Equality Impact Assessment of Improving Health, Supporting Justice November 2009
The findings from this EIA have been fed into the policy development stage and should be recognised as key areas for development to ensure equality of access for all. 86-page PDF [DoH, UK]
Tools to Help Address Co-Occurring Disorders and Homelessness November 2009
A new Web site to help SAMHSA grantees, health professionals and the public address problems of homelessness and co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders [SAMHSA, USA]
Local Matters November 2009
A new report “Making it Local” has been published which looks at the functionality and status of DATs and other local drug partnerships. In equal measure optimistic and critical, the report makes a series of recommendations about how local structures could be supported to better implement national strategy – while prioritising the needs of people directly affected by drug use and local communities [Sara McGrail, UK]
Centers of Excellence (CoE) for Physician Information November 2009
First Curriculum Offerings from NIDA Centers of Excellence for Physician Information [NIDA, USA]
Joint Guidance November 2009
Joint Guidance on Development of Local Protocols between Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services and Local Safeguarding and Family Services. 24-page PDF [DCFS, DoH and NTA, UK]
Combating HIV/AIDS in the European Union and neighbouring countries, 2009 -2013 October 2009
A new Commission communciation was approved on 26 October 2009 which sets out priorities to tackle HIV/AIDS across Europe in the coming years [Europa]
Evidence of the efficacy of interventions October 2009
Evidence-based information on the effectiveness of interventions attempts to integrate available individual expertise (i.e. expert opinions) with the best available external evidence from systematic research [EMCDDA]
Director’s Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse – September October 2009
Research findings, program activities, congressional affairs, international activities etc. [NIDA, USA]
Breaking the Cycle of Substance Misuseamong Families October 2009
The results of a three-year Addaction pilot project [Addaction, UK]
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2007-08 October 2009
Findings from the National Minimum Data Set [Australian Institute of Health and Welfare]
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2007-08 October 2009
Report on the National Minimum data Set [Australian Institute of Health and Welfare]
Needle & Syringe Program Return on Investment Study October 2009
The study seeks to analyse the effectiveness of needle and syringe programs in preventing transmission of HIV, and hepatitis C (HCV) in Australia from 1991 (that is from when NSPs were well established in all jurisdictions except Tasmania) to the end of 2000. 166-page PDF Summary report [Department of Health, Australia]
The Drug Treatment System and its key transitions October 2009
At all times we must be capable, as a field, of speaking powerfully, positively and clearly to the public about the full range of social benefits associated with accessible and effective drug treatment – UK Drug Worker Forum Conference Presentation by Ian Wardle [Lifeline, UK]
State Budget Submission 2010/11 October 2009
In developing this submission, VAADA examined a range of data indicative of treatment activity and demands on services across the sector. This data highlighted current pressure points on services’ capacity, and identified service gaps and areas of growing demand. The analysis illustrates a clear need for additional resourcing to respond to alcohol misuse; as well as investment along Melbourne’s growth corridors and in the health of Victoria’s ageing population. 34-page PDF [Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, Australia]
Return on Investment 2 October 2009
A evaluation report published by Commonwealth Department of Health, conducted by a team of investigators at the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 2MB PDF [Australian Government]
The Dawn of a New Era: Transforming our Domestic Response to Hepatitis B & C. October 2009
This national forum focusing on viral hepatitis was held in in Washington, DC, on 10-11 September 2009. The multi-stakeholder forum aimed to develop a coordinated national response to chronic viral hepatitis through improved prevention, detection and patient care. 1MB PDF [Via Hep C org, Australia]
2008/2009 Annual report – The Gathering Effect October 2009
A set of 20 recommendations forms the core of this innovative Canada-wide approach to improving treatment, focusing on the individual in need of care. 24-page PDF [CCSA, Canada]
NTA Annual report October 2009
Recovery begins here – The year in numbers – Sustaining recovery – Changing behaviour – Joined-up thinking for better outcomes – Information value – The grass-roots response – NTA board and staff. 16-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System October 2009
Annual NDTMS report. 1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 [NTA, UK]
‘Paul Hayes on the NTA Foundations and the role of retention in treatment’ October 2009
As the NTA publishes its annual report and statistics for 2008/09, Paul Hayes talks about the NTA’s foundations and some of its achievements to date [FEAD, UK]
Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people October 2009
Until now there has been no formal guidance to help clinicians to manage substance dependence among young people. This has left practitioners concerned that their practice may not accord with the developing evidence base. This guidance document describes good practice on the best ways to manage a clinically complex condition. 99-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people in secure environments October 2009
This guidance document describes good practice on the best ways to manage a clinically complex condition. 111-page PDF [NTA, UK]
NTA board meeting – 6 OCtober 2009 October 2009
Papers are now available [NTA, UK]
Effectiveness of community treatments for heroin and crack cocaine addiction in England October 2009
The first 6 months of pharmacological or psychosocial treatment is associated with reduced heroin and crack cocaine use, but the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment is less pronounced for users of both drugs [The Lancet, UK]
Trends in Methamphetamine Admissions to Treatment: 1997-2007 October 2009
Admissions to substance abuse treatment for primary methamphetamine abuse were more than twice as likely in 2007 to be aged 40 or older (23 percent) compared with admissions in 1997 (10 percent) [SAMHSA, USA]
National drug treatment waiting times September 2009
Period ending April – June 2009 [ISD Scotland, UK]
Annual Report 2008 September 2009
The fourth edition of the Office of the Director of Mental Health Annual Report [Office of the Director of Mental Health, Australia]
Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment September 2009
Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 31: Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs offers guidance on howto integrate evidence-based practices (EBPs)for substance abuse treatment into clinical practice [SAMHSA, USA]
Untreatable or just hard to treat? September 2009
Results of the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial (RIOTT) [King’s Health Partners, UK]
School System Referrals to Substance Abuse Treatment September 2009
Schools were more likely than the criminal justice system to refer children and adolescents to substance abuse treatment for the first time (88 vs. 68 percent) [SAMHSA, USA]
Shining a Light on a Hidden Epidemic September 2009
Why and How Civil Society Advocates Can Support the Expansion of Hepatitis C Treatment in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 52-page PDF [Open Society Institute, USA]
Carers and supporting recovery September 2009
This unique report was commissioned by the Scottish Recovery Network and is the result of a long-standing project to investigate carers’ perspectives of recovery and experiences supporting recovery. 47-page PDF [Scottish Recovery Network, UK]
The TEDS Report – -Heroin and Other Opiate Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment August 2009
On 2007, opiates accounted for almost one fifth (19 percent) of all substance abuse treatment admissions [SAMHSA, USA]
Recovery and the UK Drug Treatment System: key dimensions of change August 2009
This discussion aims to develop the ongoing debate about the future of the Drug Treatment field in the United Kingdom. It takes up certain themes from the current debates and discussions about the Recovery Orientation in drug treatment and seeks to locate these discussions historically in terms of a paradigm analysis, but also contemporaneously in terms of other key dimensions of current change.. 73-page PDF [Ian Wardle, CEO, Lifeline Project, UK]
Mental health services in Australia 2006-07 August 2009
Mental health services in Australia 2006-07 is the eleventh in the series of AIHW’s comprehensive annual reports on the characteristics and activity of Australia’s mental health services, and the availability of mental health resources [AIHW, Australia]
All Wales Review of Substance Misuse Prescribing Services August 2009
This first review 129-page PDF has focused on the commissioning and provision of substitute drugs such as methadone which is used to help manage and reduce the use of illegal opiate drugs such as heroin. The review has also established an overview of substance misuse services across Wales and a baseline of provision which will be used to inform future reviews. [Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, UK]
Polygon August 2009
The many sides to the Australian opioid pharmacotherapy maintenance system . 108-page PDF [Australian National Council on Drugs]
Modelling pharmacotherapy maintenance in Australia exploring August 2009
Exploring affordability, availability, accessibility and quality using system dynamics. 80-page PDF [Australian National Council on Drugs]
FEAD (Film Exchange on Alcohol and Drugs) August 2009
A resource that brings short video presentations from leading figures in the alcohol and drugs field direct to your screen. The contributors cover a range of topics honestly and directly – including: achievements, problem areas, and reflections on the field’s history. Many people have found the website useful in helping discussions and expanding on practice and theory. Please feel free to use the material to enrich your events, seminars, groups, teaching etc
This document addresses basic operational guidance on provider-initiated medical examination, testing and counselling with regard to infectious diseases in injecting drug users (IDUs). This is accompanied by a recommended package of prevention and primary care in relation to injecting drug users and infections. 37-page PDF [EMCDDA]
Diacetylmorphine versus Methadone for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction August 2009
Injectable diacetylmorphine was more effective than oral methadone. Because of a risk of overdoses and seizures, diacetylmorphine maintenance therapy should be delivered in settings where prompt medical intervention is available [NEJM, USA]
Breaking the Link August 2009
The role of drug treatment in tackling crime 24-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders August 2009
This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) describes basic knowledge about the nature and treatment of stimulant use disorders. More specifically, it reviews what is currently known about treating the medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse/dependence problems associated with the use of two high-profile stimulants: cocaine and MA [SAMHSA, USA]
Towards successful treatment completion August 2009
A good practice guide. 76-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Clinical governance in drug treatment August 2009
A good practice guide for providers and commissioners. 76-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Routes to recovery August 2009
New resources for clinicians and key workers helping clients on their journeys to recovery [NTA, UK]
BTEI: getting motivated to change August 2009
Routes to Recovery part 7. 44-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Unforeseen benefits: Addiction treatment reduces health care costs July 2009
This paper demonstrates how addiction treatment will contribute to containing costs in reforming America’s health system. Studies show that addiction treatment significantly reduces emergency room, inpatient and total health care costs [Open Society Institute, USA]
Recovery and drug dependency: a new deal families July 2009
Drawing on a seminar held by Adfam and DrugScope on the positive role families can play in supporting recovery from drug dependency, this paper considers recovery and the family as mutually reinforcing and suggests ways of moving forward to improve outcomes for problematic drug users, their families and wider society [DrugScope, UK]
NTA Parliamentary Briefing July 2009 July 2009
The latest parliamentary briefing from the NTA on developments in drug treatment and the work of the NTA [NTA, UK]
Drugs misuse treatment in offender populations July 2009
The first Annual Evidence Update on Drugs focussing on Drugs misuse treatment in offender populations [NHS Evidence, UK]
Drug Misusing Offenders: Ensuring the continuity-of-care between prison and community July 2009
This document provides specific guidance on managing the continuity-of-care journey that drug misusing offenders follow on entering prison from the community, whilst in prison, and exiting prison [Home Office, UK]
Recognising complexity: Commissioning guidance for personality disorder services July 2009
Guidance for commissioners in the NHS, criminal justice system, local authorities and others, which provides information and suggestions on best practice when considering services and systems for people with personality disorders. 69-page PDF [DoH, UK]
Practice Guidelines for Recovery-Oriented Behavioral Health Care July 2009
The document that you are about to read is an extraordinary one in its origins, its content, and its value as another step toward achieving and maintaining a recovery-oriented health care service system in Connecticut.. 110-page PDF [Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, USA]
Peer-based Addiction Recovery Support July 2009
History, Theory, Practice, and Scientific Evaluation. 265-page PDF [William L. White, MA. Great Lakes Addiction Technology Transfer Center, USA]
Moving up a Gear –the Next Steps for DIP June 2009
A review of the Drug Intervention Programme A review of the Drug Intervention Programme. 31-page PDF [Home Office, UK]
California Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Treatment Report June 2009
This report contains data on admissions to treatment opened and discharges from treatment closed from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. 16-page PDF [California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, USA]
Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System June 2009
Assessment Report 1 June 2009.23-page PDF [UK Statistics Authority]
National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data June 2009
2009 collection data guide [AIHW, Australia]
Assessment of compulsory treatment of people who use drugs in Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Viet Nam June 2009
An application of selected human rights principles [WHO]
The ROSIE Study: Drug Treatment Outcomes in Ireland June 2009
The Study recruited 404 opiate users entering treatment. Participants were interviewed at treatment intake, 1-year and 3 years after the baseline interview. This report presents outcomes at 1-year and 3 years for the whole population and the ‘per protocol’ population i.e. participants who completed all three interviews 116-page PDF [NACD, Ireland]
Understanding the Public Health Implications of Prisoner Reentry in California June 2009
Examining the demographic and health profiles of the prison population shows that it is disproportionately sicker on average than the U.S. population in general, with substantially higher rates of infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B and C), serious mental illness, and substance abuse disorders. 220-page PDF [RAND, USA]
Residential drug treatment services: good practice from the field June 2009
This report is based on interviews with the local drug partnerships and services that scored highly in the Tier 4 commissioning and provision theme of the 2007-08 Healthcare Commission and NTA service review. 49-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Ensuring U.S. Health Reform Includes Prevention and Treatment of Mental and Substance Use Disorders June 2009
A Framework for Discussion. 23-page PDF [SAMHSA, USA]
Recovery and the UK Drug Treatment System: key dimensions of change June 2009
This discussion aims to develop the ongoing debate about the future of the Drug Treatment field in the United Kingdom. It takes up certain themes from the current debates and discussions about the Recovery Orientation in drug treatment and seeks to locate these discussions historically in terms of a paradigm analysis, but also contemporaneously in terms of other key dimensions of current change. 60 Pge PDF with References [Ian Wardle, Lifeline, UK]
Submission to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions June 2009
This submission provided advice to the Ontario Legislature’s Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions. 38-page PDF [Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada]
Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation June 2009
This examination looked at all the main publicly-funded treatment and rehabilitation services provided for persons with addiction to illegal drugs. In particular, it looked at the extent to which the demand for treatment and rehabilitation services is met, and the timeliness of access to treatment. It also looked at the extent to which the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation services are evaluated, and the effectiveness of the arrangements for coordination of treatment and rehabilitation at an individual case level, and nationally. 96-page PDF [Comptroller and Auditor General, Ireland]
Residential drug treatment services: a summary of good practice June 2009
This report is based on interviews with the local drug partnerships and services that scored highly in the Tier 4 commissioning and provision theme of the 2007-08 Healthcare Commission and NTA service review. 11-page PDF [NTA, UK]
AOD Withdrawal Practice Guidelines 2009 June 2009
The Alcohol and Other Drug Withdrawal: Practice Guidelines are now available to download 1,192KB PDF [Turning Point, Australia]
No reason to deny hepatitis C treatment to methadone patients June 2009
Methadone patients stick with therapy for hepatitis C disease and do as well as other patients, bolstering the case for drug services to encourage clients to consider diagnostic testing and therapy [Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK]
TAP 30 Buprenorphine: A Guide for Nurses June 2009
This guide is intended to provide nurses (including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs)) with general information about buprenorphine products—Suboxone® (buprenorphine and naloxone) and Subutex® (buprenorphine)—for the pharmacological treatment of opioid addiction [SAMHSA, USA]
TIP 49: Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice June 2009
Many health problems or mental disorders that healthcare practitioners (particularly those in primary care) encounter in their everyday practices derive from or are complicated by alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Consequently, healthcare practitioners are in key positions to manage the care of large numbers of individuals with AUDs [SAMHSA, USA]
Medical profiteering: the economics of methadone dispensation May 2009
We recommend continuing the current pharmacy-based model. Any policy changes that limit or decrease access to methadone maintenance treatment should be discouraged. Recognition of the economic incentives of all parties involved is imperative in understanding the illicit drug use phenomenon and devising effective strategies to reduce the social burden it impose [CMAJ]
A Review of Screening, Assessment and Outcome Measures for Drug and Alcohol Settings May 2009
This review provides an overview of some useful standardised tools that can be used to measure treatment outcomes and to screen and assess for mental health symptoms and conditions, drug and alcohol use and disorders and general functioning. 225-page PDF [NADA, Australia]
Internet-based drug treatment interventions May 2009
This report provides a comprehensive review of the relatively new phenomenon of Internet-based drug treatment interventions. 96-page PDF [EMCDDA]
The Story of Drug Treatment April 2009
A timely look back, and forwards, at the achievements and challenges of the drug treatment system in England [NTA, UK]
Methadone-Associated Overdose Deaths April 2009
Factors Contributing to Increased Deaths and Efforts to Prevent Them. 55-page PDF [GAO, USA]
NDTMS Themed Report AACCE (non-opiate) substance use in the North West of England March 2009
The changing profile of substance users engaged in treatment and its implications for future provision. 20-page PDF [Centre for Public Health, UK]
Addaction calls for new approaches to treatment following major study March 2009
A new groundbreaking study (21-page PDF) has found that young people respond well to treatment when it is carefully tailored to their needs, and the results when families are also included in treatment is even more positive [Addaction, UK]
Psychosocial interventions for drug misuse March 2009
A framework and toolkit for implementing NICE-recommended treatment interventions 79-page PDF [NTA, UK]
VAADA 2009 Conference Presentations March 2009
A huge list of presentations from the 2009 VAADA Conference available as PDFs [VAADA, Australia]
Drug treatment at the crossroads: what it’s for, where it’s at and how to make it even better March 2009
This DrugScope Report PDF (2.1MB) reflects on the results and prospects of drug treatment in the UK ten years on from the introduction of the national drug strategy in 1998 [DrugScope, UK]
On the synthetic drugs trail March 2009
UNODC has just launched an innovative online report highlighting developments in the global synthetic drugs scene [UNODC]
Can heroin maintenance help Baltimore? March 2009
What Baltimore can learn from the experience of other countries. 45-page PDF [School of Public Policy and Department of Criminology University of Maryland, USA]
Getting to grips with substance misuse among young people March 2009
This report summarises the data for 2007/08, together with information about the different types of interventions and the context in which these young people misuse substances. 32-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Exploring the evidence January 2009
This report is aimed at professionals who provide specialist substance misuse treatment services for young people under 18 years old. 32-page PDF [NTA, UK]
First comprehensive picture of drug and alcohol treatment for young people in England January 2009
More teenagers are receiving help for drug and alcohol problems than ever before owing to the expansion of specialist substance misuse services for young people, according to a new report published today by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse. 32-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Interventions for children and families where there is parental drug misuse January 2009
Executive summary. 6-page PDF [ARTEC, UK]
Interventions for children and families where there is parental drug misuse January 2009
Executive summary. 6-page PDF [ARTEC, UK]
A new blueprint for alcohol and other drug treatment services 2009-2013 January 2009
Client-centred, service-focused. 60-page PDF [Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Australia]
Addressing the needs of children of substance using parents January 2009
An evaluation of Families First’s Intensive Intervention. 94-page PDF [Centre for Public Health, UK]
2008
Prevention, Treatment, and Harm Reduction Services in Prison November 2008
Final Report on Prevention, Treatment, and Harm Reduction Services in Prison, on Reintegration Services on Release from Prison and Methods to Monitor/Analyse Drug use among Prisoners. 104 MB PDFD [Europa]
Preliminary evaluation of the NSW Stimulant Treatment Program October 2008
The evaluation of the Stimulant Treatment Program was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the model of clinical intervention for stimulant users and identified key issues relating to service delivery, and to examine the feasibility of conducting the STP at the two clinics. 31-page PDF [New South Wales Government, Australia]
Guidance to States: Treatment Standards for Women With Substance Use Disorders. October 2008
This document is based on the knowledge and experience of the WSN members, with the objective of helping States to improve alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services to women through the establishment of standards that build on the capabilities and strengths of State systems and provider networks. 96-page PDF [Womens Services Network, USA]
National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data October 2008
It should be particularly useful to staff in Australian Government, state and territory departments and researchers. This collection is one of a number of data sources that provide a picture of alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia [AIHW, Australia]
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2006-07 October 2008
Findings from the National Minimum Data Set. 567KB PDF [AIHW, Australia]
Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System 1 April 2007-31 March 2008 October 2008
NDTMS Data are gathered from treatment providers by regional NDTMS centres, provided to NTA, and then forwarded to NDEC for data analysis, processing and verification. The results of these analyses are then supplied to NTA for publication. 46-page PDF [NTA, UK]
Effective Treatment, Changing Lives October 2008
This report and the year it covers mark a watershed in drug treatment. Barely did we have time to celebrate the successful completion of the task sset out in the last DrugStrategy, than we were set a new challenge, to do even better over the next ten years. 9MB PDF [NTA, UK]
Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment [August 2008]
A brief overview of the Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment (DDCAT) Index Toolkit that Improved Services Initiative grant recipients are using to identify their capacity to provide services to people with drug and alcohol and mental health issues. 12-page PDF [VAADA, Australia]
Opioid Substitution Treatment in Custodial Settings [August 2008]
A Practical Guide. 97-page PDF [MENAHRA]
Barriers and Incentives to Treatment for Illicit Drug Users [August 2008]
There were two main purposes to this monograph: the first and investigation of barriers and incentives to treatment for substance use and the second was the development of recommendations regrding possible policy and program directions that arose from the research. 227-page PDF [Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, Australia]
Barriers and Incentives to Treatment for Illicit Drug Users with Mental Health Comorbidities and Complex Vulnerabilities [August 2008]
This Monograph explores the challenges experienced by people with co-occurring mental health and illicit drug issues. 157-page PDF[Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, Australia]
Challenges in Using Opioids to Treat Pain in Persons With Substance Use Disorders [August 2008]
This article discusses the neurobiology and clinical presentation of pain and its synergies with substance use disorders, presents methodical approaches to the evaluation and treatment of pain that co-occurs with substance use disorders, and provides practical guidelines for the use of opioids to treat pain in individuals with histories of addiction. 22-page PDF [Addiction Science and Clinical Practice]
Opioid Substitution Therapy: Do We Need Hospital Based Pharmacotherapy Clinics? [August 2008]
From the Hospital to the Community. 28-page PDF [VAADA, Australia]
‘Hospital-based D&A Consultation Liaison Services: What, why and how?’ [August 2008]
Keynote presentation by Ass Prof Nicholas Lintzeris at ‘From the Hospital to the Community’. 36-page PDF [VAADA, Australia]
Treatment service users project: Final report [August 2008]
The study stimulates a wonderful discussion of opportunities available to maximise participation, and to the development of effective strategies to deal with possible barriers and obstacles. 117-page PDF [Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League]
National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data collection: 2007 report [August 2008]
‘The national opioid pharmacotherapy statistics annual data collection, 2007’ report presents data on the number of clients accessing pharmacotherapy for the treatment of opioid addiction, the number of prescribers participating in the delivery of pharmacotherapy treatment, and quantitative information about the prescribing s [AIHW]
Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): 2005 [July 2008]
Discharges from Substance Abuse Treatment Services [SAMHSA]
Review of Hepatitis C Treatmentand Care Services [June 2008]
The main objective of this project is to map the various existing models and arrangements of hepatitis C treatment and care service delivery across NSW, and to make recommendations for models and arrangements that would support the NSW health system to meet future demand for hepatitis C treatment and care services 127-page PDF [NSW Health, Australia]
A Raw Deal [June 2008]
Impact on the Health of Consumers Relative to the Cost of Pharmacotherapy. 164-page PDF [Centre for Applied Social research for the Salvation Army, Australia]
The Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League report [May 2008]
Consumer participation in drug treatment services in Australia [AIVL, Australia]
Essential Care [March 2008]
A Report on the Approach Required to Maximise Opportunity for Recovery from Problem Substance Use in Scotland [Scottish Government, UK]
Principles of Drug Dependence Treatment [March 2008]
Discussion paper from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organisation which aims at articulating the key principles for underlying effective treatment of drug dependence. 32-page PDF [UNODC / WHO]
The treatment and supervision of drug-dependent offenders [March 2008]
A 88-page PDF review of the literature prepared for the [UK Drug Policy Commission]
Principles of Drug Dependence Treatment [March 2008]
This discussion paper aims to encourage Governments and other partners to take concerted action for the implementation of evidence-based drug dependence treatment services, which respond to the needs of their populations. 32-page PDF [UNODC, WHO]
Reducing Drug Use, Reducing Reoffending [March 2008]
Consultations with key stakeholders to inform the UK Drug Policy Commission report. 14-page PDF [UK Drug Policy Commission]
Trends in treatment for problem alcohol use in Ireland, 2004 to 2006 [March 2008]
Health Research Board publishes preliminary figures. 32-page PDF [Health Research Board, Ireland]
Pre 2008
‘Naltrexone or methadone’? Debates about drug treatments for heroin dependence in the context of drugs policy [September 2007]
This Research Paper examines the latest research on the treatments, identifies gaps in this research and distinguishes the various treatments’ respective costs and benefits. 154KB PDF [Parliament of Australia]
Drug misuse – methadone and buprenorphine [January 2007]
Methadone and buprenorphine for managing opioid dependence – Technology appraisal [National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, UK]
Drug misuse – naltrexone [January 2007]
Naltrexone for the management of opioid dependence – Technology appraisal [National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, UK]
Towards a New Blueprint for Alcohol And Other Drug (AOD) Treatment Services A Discussion Paper [2007]
This paper outlines plans for responding more effectively to the needs of Victorians who have alcohol and other drug problems over the next five years and into the future. 61-page PDF [Victoria Government, Australia]
Supporting the families of young people with problematic drug use [2006]
This report investigates the support needs of families who have, as a family member, a young person who is misusing substances. 131-page PDF [ANCD, Australia]
Rehabilitation Required [2006]
Russia’s Human Rights Obligation to Provide Evidence-based Drug Dependence Treatment [Human Rights Watch]
Demand Reduction Strategy 2006-2010 [2006]
Identifies priority issues in narcotics demand reduction areas and outlines the overall response to them. 42-page PDF [UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific]
Book – Drug treatment demand data – Influence on policy and practice (2006) [2006]
The Pompidou Group has advocated the systematic and routine collection of information on patients entering treatment for problem drug use (treatment demand data) since the mid-1980s. Two decades later, the question now being asked is whether or not this data has been used as evidence in the development of policies and practices [Council of Europe]
Economic Benefits of Drug Treatment [2005]
A Critical Review of the Evidence for Policy Makers February 2005 [Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania]
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2004-05 [2005]
Findings from the national minimum data set’ presents data on publicly funded alcohol and other drug treatment services and their clients [Australian Government]
Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2004-05 [2005]
Report on the national minimum data set [Australian Government]
New Study Finds Economic Benefit from Lifelong Methadone Treatment [2005]
New model estimates lifetime costs, benefits of drug use and treatment [RTI International, USA]
Substitution maintenance therapy in the management of opioid dependence and HIV/AIDS prevention
WHO/UNODC/UNAIDS position paper
ANCD research paper 3—Evidence supporting treatment
121 pages Australian National Council on Drugs
Policy Paper 2 – Social Care & Drug Users in Ireland
This paper examines the provision of formal i.e. specialist treatment services & drug agencies and generic social care services for problem drug users in Ireland. It will be seen that problem drug users (such as Jim and John), and people affected by the drug use of others, are a significant part of the workload of social care service providers [Drug Policy Action Group, Ireland]
Because little is known about the regulation of substitution treatment in the EU-countries, the EMCDDA commissioned a research project in addition to the forementioned study. It was granted to the Catholic University of Leuven (KULeuven), Belgium, the main purpose being to focus specifically on laws and other regulations with regard to substitution treatment and their implication(s) on practices in several EU countries. The following is an outline of this research project and the general conclusions mentioned in the final report.
KarolienMeuwissen Research Centre Forensic Mental Health Care (Prof. Dr. JorisCasselman), Catholic University Leuven, Belgium 2002
Methadone Maintenance Treatment and the Criminal Justice System
Current status of MMT in four facets of the criminal justice system: jails and prisons; pre-trial services, probation and parole; reentry initiatives; and drug courts (23-page PDF) [NASADAD, USA]
Prescribing heroin: what is the evidence?
Until recently, the UK was the only country in the world that allowed doctors to prescribe heroin for the treatment of opiate dependence. The Government wants heroin prescribing to increase and to be made available to all those who have a clinical need for it. This report, by Gerry Stimson and Nicky Metrebian from the Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour at Imperial College, looks at the reasons for international interest in prescribing heroin. It critically examines the research, clinical, political and practical challenges to expanding heroin prescribing in the UK
Gerry V. Stimson and Nicky Metrebian Joseph Rowntree Foundation (ISBN 1 85935 082 8
The quasi-compulsory treatment of drug-dependent offenders in Europe:UK findings
This summary presents the main UK findings from the first systematic, comparative, cross-national research project of its kind conducted in Europe on this issue [KCL, UK]
This document describes how clinical substance misuse management in prison may be developed to accord with current DH (1999) and NHS (NTA 2003) guidance. 64-page PDF [DoH, UK]
Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations
A Research-Based Guide [NIDA, USA]
Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations – A Research-Based Guide
This guide is intended to describe the treatment principles and research findings that are of particular relevance to the criminal justice community and to treatment professionals working with drug abusing offenders [NIDA, USA]
ANCD research paper 14—Compulsory treatment in Australia
A discussion paper on the compulsory treatment of individuals dependent on alcohol and/or other drugs [ANCD, Australia]
SCAN Inpatient Treatment Working Party Report
The final report of the SCAN Inpatient Treatment Working Party has now been published. The report is intended to inform the ongoing Department of Health/National Treatment Agency Tier 4 initiative to expand the provision of inpatient and residential treatment services for drug and alcohol misusers in England. 72-page PDF [SCAN, UK]
Trends in Methamphetamine / Amphetamine Admissions to Treatment, 1993-2003
47 of the 50 States distinguish between methamphetamines and amphetamines as primary substances of abuse in their reporting to TEDS. In these 47 States, methamphetamine was the primary drug in 86% of the combined methamphetamine/ amphetamine treatment admissions in 2003 [SAMHSA, USA]
Prescribing heroin: what is the evidence?
The first comprehensive overview of how and why heroin is prescribed in the UK
JoesephRowntree Foundation 12 September 2003 Gerry V Stimson and Nicky Metrebian ISBN 1 85935 082 8 (FREE PDF)
Drug Treatment in the Criminal Justice Syste
It is clear that we need to understand what happens as correctional agencies bring drug treatment into their systems. There are, perhaps, conflicting expectations, systems constraints, and philosophies. There are yet-to-be-specified roles that federal agencies might play to assist the integration of treatment into corrections
Daniel P. Mears, Laura Winterfield, John Hunsaker, Gretchen E. Moore, Ruth White Urban Institute 2003 ID=410618
Improving the Link Between Research and Drug Treatment in Correctional Settings Drug Treatment
According to some estimates, only 61 percent of state correctional facilities provide substance abuse treatment. Despite a significant infusion of federal funds to support residential substance abuse treatment in prisons, the percentage of state prisoners participating in such programs declined from 25 percent in 1991 to 10 percent in 1997. The policy shortfall is clear: Inmates with substance abuse problems may not be receiving the treatment that would reduce their drug problems and criminal behavior. Why they are not getting treatment remains largely unknown. One possibility is simply a lack of political or correctional interest in providing drug treatment. But an equally plausible explanation is a lack of sufficient funding
Daniel P. Mears, Gretchen E. Moore, Jeremy Travis, Laura Winterfield Urban Institute 2003 ID=410620
How Much Can Treatment Reduce National Drug Problems?
Treatment can justify itself in terms of reductions in harms to individuals and communities. However, even treatment systems that offer generous access to good quality services will leave a nation with substantial drug problem [RAND, USA]
A Review of Recent Advances in Knowledge About Methadone Maintenance Treatment
This report summarizes the existing evidence on methadone maintenance treatment for opioid dependent persons, in order to provide a knowledge base for the development of practice guidelines development
Research brief MR-1396-RE/FOPH/DPRC, © 2001 RAND
Drug Treatment Program Evaluations
This report focuses on the effects of the BOP’s in-prison DAP on post-release drug use, recidivism, employment, and halfway house placements, while controlling for a variety of other factors related to treatment outcomes
Federal Bureau of Prisons (2000)
The quasi-compulsory treatment of drug-dependent offenders in Europe:UK findings
This summary presents the main UK findings from the first systematic, comparative, cross-national research project of its kind conducted in Europe on this issue [KCL, UK]
Mapping national drug treatment capacity
Large PDF [Australian National Council on Drugs]
Testimony on Drug Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration
Testimony presented to the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources of the House Committee on Government Reform, April 4, 2000
Martin Y. Iguchi CT-169, ©2001RAND
