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Public health
The intersection of substance use with broader public health concerns.
NIDA Director Outlines Potential Risks to People Who Smoke and Use Drugs During COVID-19 Pandemic
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special...
Reducing Alcohol Harm During Self-Isolation Needs a Measured Approach
During this pandemic, people have been forced to adjust their lifestyles in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Lockdowns and restrictions have been imposed in most countries, which has led to pubs, restaurants and bars being shut...
Alcohol Change UK Grants Programme & Research Strategy
Alcohol Change UK have opened a new grants programme alongside a research strategy [pdf] outlining its funding priorities and plans for 2020 to 2023.
The New Horizons grants programme is now open with the first round of grants focused on...
UNODC Coronavirus Resource List
As part of the effort to provide information and support to people who use drugs, families, and professionals working in the substance use and addiction field, UNODC has produced a series of resources to guide evidence-based practice.
He...
Protecting Those That Protect Us
UNODC has developed Guidelines for the safe handling of substances and management of exposure risk for law enforcement and customs officers as part of the ‘safe handling’ series of technical guidelines and training materials. It is an...
The Cost of Opioid Use to Australia
A recent study, published by the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University in Perth, has estimated that the illegal use of heroin and the misuse of pharmaceutical opioids is costing Australia around $15.7 billion and...
Alcohol Sales Ban in South Africa
Countries around the world have been introducing measures to reduce the harm of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most countries are calling on individuals to avoid public gatherings and be mindful of social distancing, several countries have...
Alcohol and the Immune System: 4 Things You Should Know
Alcohol has a negative impact on our immune systems ability to function, leading to greater susceptibility to certain diseases.
It is particularly important that, during this pandemic, we protect our immune system in order to give...
Consultation on "Addressing Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders in Humanitarian and Relief Settings"
The UNODC Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS) in coordination with WHO and UNHCR is planning a consultation process to develop a technical guidance tool to address substance use and substance use disorders, as well as...
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Remote Care through Telehealth
Telehealth refers to the provision of personalised health care over a distance. It includes consultation by phone, instant messaging, video, text message, or web-based services.
Telehealth consists of three main elements:
- The patient...
Alcohol Use in Times of the COVID-19 Virus
During this global lockdown, most people have had to make major lifestyle changes in order to adhere to guidelines outlined by their respective governments.
The situation has forced people's behaviour and choices to change, and it is...
Review of Drugs: Phase One Report
In February 2019, the UK government appointed Professor Dame Carol Black to undertake an independent review of drugs.
The aim of the review was to inform the government’s thinking on what more can be done to tackle the harm that drugs...
COVID-19 Surveys on Substance Misuse and Related Issues: Collective Voice
A number of organisations have issued surveys to gather information from across different support services and individuals to assess the impact of COVID-19.
Collective Voice, the national alliance of drug and alcohol treatment charities...
Adfam's Covid-19 Top Tips
The current global pandemic of the Covid-19 virus is resulting in unprecedented changes to peoples lives. Many of these changes will put an additional strain on the families of those with substance use problems, and already challenging...
Parenting under COVID-19
Families across the globe are adapting to changes due to (COVID-19).
While isolation can represent an opportunity for families to spend time together, many caregivers will be experiencing conflicting feelings and priorities, as well as...
Careers in Social Work: Career Resource
Social Work is rich, stimulating, and one of the few careers which enables you to stand up for social injustice.
The field of social work spans across multiple career options, depending on the type of social work degree you pursue and...
Addiction Debates: Hot Topics from Policy to Practice
Addiction Debates explores the tumultuous landscape of addiction research, policy and practice. Covering all the 'hot topics' of the day in a balanced and informative manner, Comiskey provides international perspectives on each topic...
Vaping and Opioid Addiction Accelerate Coronavirus Risks
The coronavirus pandemic has presented a new challenge for public health services around the world.
Although scientists are working tirelessly to comprehend more about the virus, there are still many unanswered questions.
In a recent...
Collision of the COVID-19 and Addiction Epidemics
Coronavirus is one of the most significant public health challenges we have faced in the past 100 years. Everyone is effected. However, the strain is particularly great for those working on the front line to detect and treat people who have...
Viruses and Places of Detention
The nature of places of detention is that they are constructed to maximize public safety.
This is highly likely to lead to people living in very close proximity of each other in often overcrowded conditions, which increases the...