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Publications

Impact of COVID-19 on drug markets, use, harms and drug services in the community and prisons

30.04.2021

Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the way we live, with European countries having to introduce unprecedented measures to protect public health. As with all areas of life, drug consumption, related harms and drug markets have been impacted, as have the services...

Publications

EMCDDA trendspotter briefing: Impact of COVID-19 on drug use and drug services in Western Balkans

09.03.2021

The Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) registered the main waves of COVID-19 infections later than most of the EU countries, but containment strategies were implemented at the same time and with equal force as in the rest of Europe....

Publications

Balancing access to opioid substitution treatment (OST) with preventing the diversion of opioid substitution medications in Europe: challenges and implications

10.02.2021

This report reviews how opioid substitution treatment (OST) is implemented in European countries and examines the public health consequences of the diversion and misuse of prescription OST medications. It looks at how OST medications are diverted to the illicit market, the motivations behind...

Publications

Impact of COVID-19 on drug markets, drug use, drug-related harms and responses in south European Neighbourhood Policy countries

22.12.2020

Since the beginning of 2020, the world has been experiencing an unprecedented public health emergency caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has led to progressive introduction of social distancing and other control measures by national governments. To investigate the effects...

Publications

European Drug Report 2020: Key Issues

22.09.2020

This report, available in 24 languages, presents a summary of some the main findings of the 'European Drug Report 2020: Trends and Developments the EMCDDA’s latest analysis of the drug situation in Europe. The issues selected here have been chosen for their policy relevance and general interest.

Publications

COVID-19 resource page for people who use drugs (PWUD) and drug service providers

25.05.2020

On this page, the EMCDDA has compiled examples of advice being issued to people who use drugs and service providers by some national bodies and different associations, networks and NGOs. This resource is online only and may be accessed here >>

Publications

EMCDDA update on the implications of COVID-19 for people who use drugs and drug service providers

25.03.2020

COVID-19 is a major global health threat. People who use drugs face the same risks as those of the general population and therefore need to be aware of the appropriate advice to reduce their risk of infection. They can be exposed to additional risks, however, that require developing assessment and...

Publications

European prisons and drug use (2019 poster)

23.10.2019

This poster, prepared for the 2019  Lisbon Addictions conference (23-25 October 2019) and highlights some of the most recent research, data and anlysis on drug users in prison.

Publications

Evidence database of the Best practice portal

15.09.2019

This database presents the latest evidence on drug-related interventions. The information is based on systematic searches is updated twice a year. Topics covered include harm reduction, social reintegration,  treatment, prevention as well as emerging topics.

Publications

Take-home naloxone (topic overview)

30.08.2019

Drug overdose continues to be the main cause of death among problem drug users. Heroin or other opioids — often consumed alongside other central nervous system depressants such as benzodiazepines and alcohol — are present in the majority of reported fatal overdoses. Overdose is common among opioid...

Publications

Hepatitis C: models of care for drug services in Europe (topic overview)

27.07.2019

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a high prevalence in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Europe. However, currently HCV infection is both preventable and curable. The importance of targeting PWID as a key population for the elimination of hepatitis C in Europe and promoting their access to...

Publications

European Drug Report 2019: Trends and Developments

06.06.2019

The Trends and Developments report presents a top-level overview of the drug phenomenon in Europe, covering drug supply, use and public health problems as well as drug policy and responses. Together with the online Statistical Bulletin and 30 Country Drug Reports, it makes up the 2019 European Drug...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Responding to problems associated with cannabis use

24.10.2017

Cannabis use can result in, or exacerbate, a range of physical and mental health, social and economic problems. Problems are more likely to develop if use begins at a young age and develops into regular and long-term use. This policy and practice briefing provides an overview of the key issues,...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Tackling opioid dependence

24.10.2017

Although the prevalence of opioid dependence among European adults is low and varies considerably between countries, it is associated with a disproportionate amount of drug-related harm that includes infectious diseases and other health problems, mortality, unemployment, crime, homelessness and...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Reducing opioid-related deaths

24.10.2017

Mortality directly or indirectly related to use of opioids is a major cause of avoidable premature deaths among European adults. Overall drug-related mortality rates are 1–2 % per year among high-risk opioid users in Europe and drug overdoses account for over 7 000 deaths per annum. Other important...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Reducing the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis and other infections associated with injecting drug use

24.10.2017

The sharing of injecting equipment increases the risk of the transmission and acquisition of blood-borne infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses. Historically interventions targeting people who inject drugs — primarily OST, needle and syringe programmes and harm reduction measures to...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Responding to problems related to stimulant use

24.10.2017

Overall cocaine is the most commonly used stimulant in Europe, though in some countries MDMA, amphetamine or methamphetamine may be the dominant stimulant. This policy and practice briefing provides an overview of the key issues, response options, evidence and implications for policy and practice.

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Responding to new psychoactive substances

24.10.2017

New psychoactive substances are drugs that are not controlled under the United Nations drug control conventions but which may pose similar threats to health. These drugs include synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, stimulants and hallucinogens. Usually they are marketed as ‘legal’ replacements for the...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Addressing the misuse of medicines

24.10.2017

Misuse of medicines refers to the use of a psychoactive medicine for self-medication, recreational or enhancement purposes, with or without a medical prescription and outside accepted medical guidelines. It may occur in the context of polydrug use. This policy and practice briefing provides an...

Publications

Policy and practice briefings: Responding to polydrug use

24.10.2017

The term ‘polydrug use’ is used to describe the use of more than one drug or type of drug by an individual either at the same time or sequentially. It encompasses use of both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medicines. This policy and practice briefing provides an overview of...
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