This week, we say goodbye to our dear friend and mentor, Jeff Lee, the founding Executive Director of ISSUP. Jeff was a steadfast advocate for the professionalization of prevention, insisting that those working in this field should be appropriately specialized. He often reminded us that while generalists and treatment specialists are well-meaning and deeply embedded within their communities, they are not always best placed to develop and implement evidence-based prevention systems. Jeff emphasized that prevention must be treated as a distinct science—one that is grounded in rigorous research...

The African Union Commission (AUC) has held an annual continental consultation for Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) since 2015.  AUC member states are each represented by their respective DDR national focal points, allowing member states an opportunity to present national DDR activities in a peer-review platform that also allows engagement with invited subject matter experts.  This year’s consultation was held in Arusha, Tanzania from 10-13 December 2024, and included Traditional Leaders from Southern Africa. The theme for this year’s consultation was “Prevention is better than Cure: Towards...

The 6th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of ISSUP Nigeria was held under the theme "Strengthening Family Support Systems for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery."  

This year’s meeting emphasized the critical role of families in addressing substance use disorders. Experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from across Nigeria gathered to discuss strategies for enhancing family involvement in prevention, effective treatment approaches, and sustained recovery for individuals struggling with substance use.  

The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange...

From October 23rd to 25th, 2024, Lisbon hosted the Lisbon Addictions 2024 Conference, bringing together 2,231 participants from around the world. The event provided a dynamic platform for sharing the latest research in addiction science and exploring future directions in addiction policy and practice. The Conference theme, "Empowering the Workforce of the Future," focused on strengthening the workforce in addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery, underscoring the critical need for well-trained professionals to meet the evolving demands of the field.

ISSUP actively participated in the...

Don't miss our latest newsletter for details of recent meetings and activities in Latin America and Africa. This issue also includes information on how to gain advanced clinical skills with the UTC16 Self Led Course.

Read it here: Issue 182