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 come into contact with the virus.

Professionals working with populations who have underlying health care issues have an even greater challenge. Among the vulnerable populations are persons who smoke or vape, use opioids, or have a substance use disorder (SUD). 

In this paper, Nora D. Volkow describes the risk the virus is posing for particular groups...

Close to 11 million prisoners worldwide — as well as the officers who are charged with ensuring their safe, secure and humane custody — must not be forgotten during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countries should recognize the particular risks which COVID-19 and the virus that causes it to pose to confined populations for which physical distancing is not an option.

This position paper, published by UNODC, outlines the importance of a controlled response to COVID-19 in prisons in order to reduce the potential harm it may cause to this particularly vulnerable group.

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 probability of the transmission of viruses.

Overcrowding is an increasingly widespread problem in a number of countries and places of detention.

These guidelines, written by UNODC, are designed to help practice that will provide protection of people in custody and the staff against the spread of viruses.

COVID-19 is a global health crisis that is increasing the workload of healthcare professionals around the world.

In order to support practitioners during these critical circumstances, it is essential that everyone is informed about other health risks and hazards so that they can stay safe and healthy.

The following factsheet provides important information that you should know about alcohol consumption and COVID-19.

It addresses, among other things, the misinformation that is being spread through social media and other communication channels about alcohol and COVID-19.

Международное общество наркологии (ISAM) признает повышенные проблемы, которые пандемия создаст для людей, борющихся с расстройствами, связанными с употреблением психоактивных веществ. Чтобы решить эту проблему, они проводят серию вебинаров с партнерами из разных уголков мира, обсуждая проблемы и решения, касающиеся нынешней пандемии с точки зрения медицины наркомании. Цель этих вебинаров состоит в том, чтобы помочь коллегам в области медицины зависимости учиться у сверстников, которые либо претерпели глубокие изменения в предоставлении услуг, либо находятся на грани этого.

Для тех из вас...

Медицинские работники во всем мире неустанно борются за снижение вреда, наносимого COVID-19.

Несколько организаций общественного здравоохранения создают и обновляют ресурсы, чтобы люди могли быть в курсе меняющейся ситуации и использовать полученные знания для информирования и корректировки своей практики.

NAADAC собрал подборку ресурсов , которые предлагают как общий обзор текущего климата, так и конкретные рекомендации для медицинских работников, работающих в области ГДР.

Ресурсы сгруппированы по следующим рубрикам:

• Общая информация 
• Информация, относящаяся к SUD
• Управление ...

The World Health Organisation defines telehealth as:

The use of telecommunications and virtual technology to deliver health care outside of traditional health-care facilities.

Well-designed telehealth schemes can improve health care access and outcomes, particularly for chronic disease treatment and for vulnerable groups. 

During this particular time, where movement and face to face contact between patient and practitioner is restricted, used effectively, telehealth can help people receive the care they need without putting them in further danger.

This publication defines...