DRUGNET EUROPE:Issue 150: February 2022

 

Drugnet Europe is a monthly news round-up published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Any item may be reproduced provided the source is acknowledged.

Issue 150: February 2022 EUROBAROMETER European citizens concerned about impact of drugs on communities On 1 February, the European Commission published the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on the impact of drugs on communities in the EU. A total of 25 713 Europeans (aged 15 and over) were surveyed across 27 EU countries between 30 June and 10 July 2021. The survey shows that over half (54%) of respondents think that drug use or dealing is a serious problem in their local area, with over a third (35%) of them perceiving an increase of drug-related problems in their local area over the past few years. Among respondents' biggest concerns are the availability and use of drugs among children and teenagers. Both were mentioned by 67% of respondents who think drugs are a problem in their local area. Read more >> | Survey >>  EUROPEAN RESPONSES GUIDE Spotlight on drug consumption rooms Drug consumption rooms (DCRs) are the focus of the latest EMCDDA Spotlight published in the European Responses Guide package. As frontline, low-threshold services, DCRs are often among the first to gain insights into new drug use patterns and can play a role in the early identification of new and emerging trends among high-risk populations using their services. Their primary goal is to reduce morbidity and mortality by providing a safer environment for drug use and by training clients in safer forms of drug use. They can also be a conduit to other services, such as counselling and primary medical care. EMCDDA Spotlights are designed to shine a light on hot topics in the drugs field from the perspective of health and social responses.   Read more >>  New paper on drugs and homelessness 'European responses to the needs of people who experience homelessness and use drugs' is the title of a paper commissioned by the EMCDDA to inform the European Responses Guide. The paper explores the evidence base in this area and considers key lessons for developing effective homelessness services in Europe.  Read more >>  DRUG MARKETS Digitally enabled drug markets: signs of diversification Digital technology facilitates the sale of drugs today and is now a key driver of developments in the drug markets. A recent EMCDDA paper points to a diversification in digitally-enabled drug markets, with dealers spreading their activities across multiple platforms, including darknet markets, social media, instant messaging apps and legitimate e-commerce websites. Recent evidence suggests that, while darknet markets may have diminished in importance during COVID-19, social media channels appear to be gaining in prominence. This calls for the development of better tools to monitor drug sales that are facilitated by social media applications and for engagement with industry to develop appropriate responses in this area. Read more >>  LEARNING Webinar: Women and drugs in Europe  ‘Women and drugs in Europe — why gender matters?’ will be the topic of the first EMCDDA webinar of 2022. Taking place on 30 March, the webinar will explore recent patterns and trends in drug use among women in Europe and the role played by gender in influencing women’s consumption behaviours across settings. Read more >>  | Registration >> European Drugs Summer School 2022 Have you registered for this year's European Drugs Summer School? The event, to take place in Lisbon from 27 June–8 July, will focus on 'Community-based interventions for drug-related issues'. The course will include daily in-person lectures, group exercises and field visits.   Read more >> | Deadline: 28 February 2022 (Early bird) | 5 June 2022 (Final).  ADDICTIONS Don't miss the Early-bird deadline! A quick reminder that the Early-bird registration fee of EUR 450 for #LxAddictions22 will be available only until the end of March!  Read more >> | Deadline: 31 March 2022 Special registration fee for PhD students re-opens on 1 March We are delighted to announce that on 1 March we will be reopening the special registration fee of EUR 250 for PhD students at #LxAddictions22. Don’t miss the chance to hear the latest from leading international experts in the addiction science field.  Read more >> | Deadline: 31 March 2022 Inter-GLAM call for videos Inter-GLAM is an EU-funded project which aims to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to explore global perspectives and trends that shape drug markets and addictions. As one of the co-producers of #LxAddictions22, Inter-GLAM is organising a video contest for audiovisual pieces related to the topics of the conference. A selection of videos competing for the prizes will be shown during the conference at the Inter-GLAM Cinema. Enter now! Read more >> PRISONS European questionnaire now available in six languages The EMCDDA's European Questionnaire on Drug Use among People living in prison (EQDP) is now available in six languages: German, English, French, Croatian, Portuguese and Slovenian. The overall aim of this resource is to help harmonise data collection on drugs and prison in Europe, strengthen drug monitoring in this area and support European countries in their responses to current and future challenges. The questionnaire is the fruit of several years of work in this field, including agreement on a methodological monitoring framework, analysis of existing questionnaires and discussion among high-level European and international experts. Questionnaire (long version) >> | Short version >> | Methodological guidelines >>  EMCDDA4GEORGIA European Prevention Curriculum to be adapted to the Georgian context Work began this month on translating the EMCDDA’s European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) into Georgian and adapting it to the Georgian context. The activity is being run under the EMCDDA4Georgia bilateral technical cooperation project (EMCDDA4GE), which aims to enhance national responses to drug-related health and security threats. The EUPC initiative, launched in 2019, aims to advance the professionalism of the substance use prevention workforce in Europe. Read more >>  New general population survey launched February saw the launch of a new general population survey (GPS) in Georgia, under the EMCDDA4Georgia project (EMCDDA4GE). The GPS will be implemented by Alternative Georgia, under the supervision of the Georgian National Drug Observatory and the EMCDDA. The final results are expected in February 2023. 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