European Schools Survey Project on Alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD)

ESPAD is a collaborative effort of independent research teams in about forty European countries and the largest cross-national research project on adolescent substance use in the world. Data are collected every fourth year with 1995 as the starting point. The fourth data collection was carried out in 35 countries during the spring of 2007 and the results were published March 26, 2009 The overall purpose of the ESPAD project is to study adolescent substance use in Europe from a comparative and longitudinal perspective. The basic goal is to collect comparable data on the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among students throughout European countries. Data should be collected in cooperation between countries using a strictly standardised methodology, in order to offer as comparable results as possible. In the long run the most important aim is to monitor the of trends of the adolescent substance use in European countries and to compare trends between countries. This includes the mapping of differences and the monitoring of trends for policy purposes as well as the scientific study of the context, predictors and consequences of adolescent substance use. In relation to the EU action plan on drugs and the WHO Europe declaration about young people and alcohol, ESPAD-data can provide information for the evaluation of these charters. It is intended to repeat the surveys every fourth year. All European countries are welcome to join the ESPAD study, in the effort of making the coverage across Europe as complete as possible. Click here to download PDF 2.1mb

Nutrition for substance users - a step by step workbook for people using alcohol and other drugs

This workbook aims to help people who use alcohol or drugs to think about the importance of eating well and find ways to achieve a more balanced diet.

Use of alcohol and other drugs among Brazilian college students: effects of gender and age

Objective: To assess the frequency of drug use among Brazilian college students and its relationship to gender and age. Methods: A nationwide sample of 12,721 college students completed a questionnaire concerning the use of drugs and other behaviors. The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST-WHO) criteria were used to assess were used to assess hazardous drug use. A multivariate logistic regression model tested the associations of ASSIST-WHO scores with gender and age. The same analyses were carried out to measure drug use in the last 30 days. Results: After controlling for other sociodemographic, academic and administrative variables, men were found to be more likely to use and engage in the hazardous use of anabolic androgenic steroids than women across all age ranges. Conversely, women older than 34 years of age were more likely to use and engage in the hazardous use of amphetamines. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with results that have been reported for the general Brazilian population. Therefore, these findings should be taken into consideration when developing strategies at the prevention of drug use and the early identification of drug abuse among college students.

FY94-FY95 status report : alcohol and other drugs : prevention, intervention treatment.

Interim update to: A comprehensive state plan and human services plan for prevention/intervention/treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependency for the fiscal years 1991/1993.

Homelessness, alcohol, and other drugs : proceedings of a conference held in San Diego, California, February 2-4, 1989.

Mode of access: Internet.

Moving forward with your life! : leaving alcohol and other drugs behind.

Mode of access: Internet.

Stigmatization of alcohol and other drug users by primary care providers in Southeast Brazil

This study reports on the views of Primary Health Care (PHC) providers in Southeast Brazil on the use of alcohol and other drugs which reflect stigma, moralization, or negative judgment. Six hundred nine PHC professionals from the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais took part in the study. The majority (86.5%) of these professionals were female. Attitudes toward the use of alcohol and other drugs were evaluated in comparison to Hansen`s disease, obesity, depression, schizophrenia. HIV/AIDS, and tobacco use. The use of tobacco, marijuana/cocaine, and alcohol were the most negatively judged behaviors (p < 0.05). Nursing assistants and community health care workers demonstrated the severest judgment of alcohol use. In addition, marijuana/cocaine addicts and alcoholics suffered the highest rate of rejection by professionals. The hypothesis that the use of alcohol and other drugs is a behavior stigmatized by health professionals being confirmed, it is important to develop strategies for changing provider attitudes in order to provide a higher quality of service to these patients. This study is important as a first study among PHC professionals about social stigma of alcohol and other drugs users. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alcohol and other drug use disorders among older-aged people

In Australia people aged 65 years or older currently comprise 12.1% of the population. This has been estimated to rise to 24.2% by 2051. Until recently there has been relatively little research on alcohol and other drug use disorders among these individuals but, given the ageing population, this issue is likely to become of increasing importance and prominence. Epidemiological research shows a strong age-related decline in the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use disorders with age. Possible reasons for this include: age-related declines in the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs; increased mortality among those with a lifetime history of alcohol and other drug use disorders; historical differences in exposure to and use of alcohol and other drugs. Despite the age-related decline in the prevalence of these disorders, they do still occur among those aged 65 years or older and, given historical changes in exposure to and use of illicit drugs, it likely that the prevalence of these disorders among older-aged individuals will rise. Specific issues faced by older-aged individuals with alcohol and other drug use problems are discussed. These include: interactions with prescribed medications, under-recognition and treatment of alcohol and drug problems, unintentional injury and social isolation. Finally, a brief discussion of treatment issues is provided.

A comunidade terapêutica para recuperação da dependência do álcool e outras drogas no Brasil: mão ou contramão da reforma psiquiátrica?

Na segunda metade do século passado iniciava-se um movimento revolucionário no cenário mundial da saúde mental: a Reforma Psiquiátrica. No mesmo momento nascia a proposta das Comunidades Terapêuticas, que mais tarde se tornaria um modelo consagrado de atendimento para a dependência do álcool e outras drogas. Por outro lado, com o alarmante crescimento deste problema no Brasil, assim como pela ausência de políticas públicas que dessem conta do problema, houve uma indiscriminada proliferação de locais de internação para dependentes químicos que, mesmo se autodenominando como Comunidades Terapêuticas, em nada se assemelham ao modelo inicial proposto. Estes locais apresentam práticas desumanas e iatrogênicas, muito semelhantes às criticadas pelo movimento da Reforma Psiquiátrica, o que tem provocado o descrédito para com o modelo das Comunidades Terapêuticas. Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar, através de pesquisa bibliográfica, como as bases conceituais e metodológicas da Reforma Psiquiátrica se assemelham profundamente as do movimento das Comunidades Terapêuticas, tendo surgido na mesma época e pelo mesmo motivo, e como a falta de regulamentação dos locais de internação para dependentes químicos no Brasil tem contribuído com o atual descrédito deste modelo.

Cytogenetic damage of oral mucosa by consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The role of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs in the accidents of injured drivers. [Revised edition].

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.