This meta-analysis synthesises evidence from 55 longitudinal studies involving more than 540,000 participants to examine the relationship between spirituality and harmful or hazardous alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. The findings demonstrate a consistent protective association, with spirituality linked to a 13% reduction in the risk of alcohol and other drug use across prevention and recovery outcomes. Among individuals who regularly participated in spiritual or religious communities, the protective effect increased to an 18% reduction in risk.

The review found that nearly all included...

The European Drug Report 2026: Trends and Developments provides the latest overview of the drug situation across Europe, drawing on data from EU Member States, Türkiye, and Norway. The report examines patterns of drug use, drug-related harms, drug supply, treatment services, and other interventions, offering a comprehensive picture of developments up to the end of 2025.

Using data collected through national monitoring systems and European research networks, the report highlights emerging trends and supports evidence-informed responses to drug-related challenges. It also emphasises the...

The ESPAD report presents the results of the eighth data-collection wave, which took place in 2024, and marks an impressive 30 years of data collection by this long-standing collaboration. More than 113 000 15- to 16-year-old students from 37 countries, including 25 EU Member States, took part. Since 1995, over 800 000 students have contributed, making ESPAD the most extensive harmonised data collection on substance use and risk behaviours in Europe, and the largest cross- national research project on adolescent substance use worldwide.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) transforms complex data into insights that reflect real human experiences. Every aspect of the Canadian Substance Use Cost and Harms (CSUCH) project represents individuals with lived or living experience of substance use, along with their families, workplaces, and communities.

A new resource highlights these journeys and the human cost of substance use through illustrated stories from people with lived experience and their families. The illustrations cover three key areas of the CSUCH project: healthcare, lost productivity, and...

The 2025 Annual Report to the Parliament on Drug Addictions in Italy offers a comprehensive overview of the current drug addiction landscape. Despite a slight decline in youth drug use for the first time since 2018, the report highlights ongoing challenges, particularly with substances like cocaine, synthetic opioids, and high-potency cannabis derivatives. Law enforcement and judicial efforts remain strong, and Italy continues to be a key collaborator in global anti-drug initiatives, particularly with countries in South America and the Indo-Pacific region.

The report also emphasizes the...

ISSUP, in collaboration with Faces & Voices of Recovery, has launched a new Global Recovery Network webinar series to spotlight diverse perspectives on recovery. The first webinar featured Dr. Haner Hernández, a respected expert in the field and a person in long-term recovery. Dr. Hernández currently serves as a Senior Consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and plays a key role in advancing health equity, workforce development, and recovery support. His presentation provided an insightful and inclusive overview of multiple pathways to recovery, grounded in both...

The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability and quality of treatment services for alcohol and drug use disorders.

Key Highlights:

• Presents the latest data from WHO Member States, aligned with SDG Health Target 3.5: “Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”

• Offers updated insights on global alcohol consumption patterns...

This publication presents key findings from the 8th round of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), conducted in 2024 among 113,882 students aged 15–16 across 37 European countries.

Marking 30 years of monitoring adolescent risk behaviours, the 2024 edition introduces a new focus on mental well-being and prevention activities, highlighting their growing role in shaping youth health outcomes.

The key findings report is available in 33 languages and optimised for online access. A full report, ESPAD Report 2024, will be released in October 2025.