DRUGNET EUROPE update

 

Issue 158: October 2022 WEBINARS Wastewater analysis and preparedness  ‘How wastewater monitoring can boost preparedness for new health threats’ is the title of the next EMCDDA webinar being held on 16 November. COVID-19 raised awareness, both in Europe and worldwide, on the importance of being prepared for potential emergencies. In 2020, the pandemic catapulted wastewater-based epidemiology into the mainstream and highlighted what a powerful public health tool it can be. The EMCDDA has used wastewater analysis for over a decade to enhance its understanding of community drug use. Recent research has shown the potential of this method for drug signal alerts, such as the identification of new psychoactive substances and increased use of crack cocaine in some EU cities. The webinar includes experts from Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands.   Register here >> | Wastewater topic page >> LEGISLATION 'Penalties at a glance': Switzerland How do countries’ laws deal with offences relating to drug use, possession for personal use or supply? Find out more in the EMCDDA’s 'Penalties at a glance' tool and compare countries’ legal approaches. Switzerland has recently been added to the tool, bringing the total number of countries to 40. Data from additional countries will be included as they become available. Read more >>  NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES 25 years of monitoring and responding to new drugs in Europe A new EMCDDA brochure provides an overview of the EU Early Warning System (EWS) on new psychoactive substances (NPS) as it marks its 25th anniversary. Operated by the EMCDDA in close cooperation with Europol and other partners, it was the first regional early-warning mechanism set up to monitor and respond to uncontrolled new drugs. The system ensures that the EU and its Member States have up-to-the-minute information on NPS and the threats they pose to Europe, in order to protect public health and inform decision-making.  Read more >> | EWS25 >> EWS25 commemorative poster  This month, the EMCDDA published a commemorative EWS25 poster, which was presented at the IX international conference on novel psychoactive substances (see below). The poster presents some of the key graphics from the 2022 EWS update, published in June. The graphics show: the number of NPS notified for the first time from 2005-2021 (EU 27 + 2); trends in the number of seizures and quantities seized for all physical forms reported in weight from 2005-2020 (EU); and the quantity of NPS seized by country and substance in 2020 (EU). The poster and update are available in English and Spanish.  Poster >> | Update >>  International conference on NPS This month, the EMCDDA co-organised the IX international conference on novel psychoactive substances in Panama City (24–26 October). For those who missed it, a recording of the proceedings will be available shortly on the conference website. EMCDDA staff members presented at the event (see programme). The next edition of the conference will take place in Abu Dhabi in November 2023. Registration 2023 (opening soon!) >> INTERNATIONAL Meeting with Panamanian authorities  On 25 October, an EMCDDA team met with members of the Panamanian National Commission for the Study and Prevention of Drug-Related Crimes (CONAPRED) in Panana City. The meeting, organised under the COPOLAD III project, focused on the Panamanian early-warning system and NPS situation and on strengthening national capacity to detect NPS. The EMCDDA became an official partner of COPOLAD III in July 2022. Among others, the project will help strengthen the technical capacity and institutional role of National Drug Observatories, including national EWS. COPOLAD III promotes dialogue and bi-regional cooperation on drug policy between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries.   EMCDDA-COPOLAD III >> LEARNING European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools: Registration open! The EMCDDA and the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) are delighted to announce the opening of registration for two upcoming joint events in 2023: the European Drugs Winter School (EDWS) and the European Drugs Summer School (EDSS). See below.  Read more >> European Drugs Winter School 2023 ‘Displaced populations and drug-related issues’ will be the theme of the European Drugs Winter School 2023, taking place online from 13–24 February (one full-day session will be dedicated to this topic). The two-week course will feature live lunchtime lectures with experts and practitioners, followed by afternoon exercises. Virtual fieldwork tours will also be offered. Completion of exercises and an exam are compulsory for those wishing to obtain credits. The sessions will be recorded and available for subsequent viewing. Read more >>   European Drugs Summer School 2023 'Mental health and drug-related issues' will be the theme of the European Drugs Summer School 2023, taking place in Lisbon from 26 June to 7 July. This face-to-face two-week course will include lectures on drugs and mental health, dual diagnosis and integrated interventions. Study visits will be organised to one of the Portuguese commissions for dissuasion as well as to mobile methadone units and a drug consumption room in Lisbon. During the course, students will participate in interactive workshops to discuss their own projects and views. The course will conclude with an open debate with guest speakers, followed by an exam for those wishing to obtain credits. Read more >>   RESOURCES Miniguides offered in more languages This month, the EMCDDA has published a selection of its responses miniguides in additional languages. The 'Action framework' and guides on 'Patterns of use' are now available in Bulgarian, Hungarian and Slovenian, bringing the total number of languages to 8 and 7 respectively. The miniguides on 'Harms' and 'Settings' are now available in Bulgarian, bringing the total number of languages to 5. Together, the miniguides make up the agency’s latest overview of interventions and actions designed to respond to the consequences of illicit drug use. The resources are presented in a digital, modular format, designed to improve accessibility, be easier to read across a range of devices and to facilitate updates and translations.  Read more >> LISBON ADDICTIONS 2022 Over 1 700 now registered Over 1 700 people have now registered for #LxAddictions22. The good news is that you can do so right up to the event! For those who cannot attend the whole conference, a one-day fee is available. Don’t miss this chance to take your place at Europe's largest conference on addictions! Read more >>   Full programme available online The full #LxAddictions22 programme is available online. The event will be packed with cutting-edge research and high-level content, organised in plenary sessions, structured sessions, oral presentations, workshops, short communications and guided e-poster tours. Big debates will see groups of discussants exchanging views on key questions related to 'Global Addictions', the overarching theme of the event. Working closely with co-producers, the conference team has developed eight innovative thematic tracks. Ahead of the conference, an app will be available to help you select your favourite presentations, build a personalised programme and create your professional profile. The EMCDDA is one of the conference organisers. Read more >>  EMCDDA at Lisbon Addictions EMCDDA staff members are among the more than 1 000 speakers at #LxAddictions22 who will be presenting the latest information and data in their area of expertise. We have prepared a full listing of EMCDDA staff present at the conference, as well as the different side events organised by the EMCDDA. Read more >>  Conference side events #LxAddictions22 provides a unique networking opportunity for researchers, practitioners and policy experts across countries and disciplines. In the margins of the conference, a number of side events will be on offer. Details are available on the conference website.  Read more >> | Update (July edition) >> PRISONS Prison and drugs in Europe From 25–27 October, the EMCDDA participated in the 12th plenary meeting of the Council of Penological Cooperation (PC-CP) in Strasbourg, where it presented the findings of its Insights publication Prison and drugs in Europe. The PC-CP is an expert committee of the Council of Europe in the field of prison and probation. Next month, the EMCDDA will participate in the Third European Conference on Healthcare in Prison, a side event of #LxAddictions22. Related links  News | Events | Publications