Background

Adolescence is a critical period of vulnerability to substance use. Recent research has shown that gender differences in adolescence substance use are complex and in constant flux. The present study aims to investigate gender differences in substance use and initiation patterns in male and female adolescents, and to assess individual, family, peer, and school associated factors of these patterns.

Methods

We applied latent class regression analysis to a Portuguese representative population sample of 1551 15-year-old adolescents, drawn from the 2010 ‘Health Behavior in School-Aged...

The programme of work of UNODC in any region of the world is developed in a consultative process together with the concerned Member States. That is why UNODC organised a Regional Consultative Meeting on the Development of the Sub-Programme 3 “Drug use prevention and treatment of substance use disorders” held on 16-17 May 2019 in Skopje, North Macedonia. The workshop brought together more than 30 experts and policy makers from the countries of Southeastern Europe  who jointly worked to identify priorities for the new UNODC regional programme  2020-2023. Priorities related to the prevention of...

The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme (FLF) aims to support early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential based in UK universities, registered businesses, and other research and user organisations.

It is hoped that the support provided will enable the fellow to establish their research and/or innovation independence.

The scheme, which is designed to tackle difficult and novel challenges, provides up to seven years of funding, for at least 550 early-career researchers and innovators

The call for applications for the third round of fellowships is now open.
The...

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Government of Serbia, UNODC supported the implementation of the UNODC/WHO substance use disorder treatment facility survey to map existing treatment capacity. The results of the survey serve national policy makers to enhance the availability and quality of services across the country.
This is the first global pilot of the UNODC/WHO survey tool and the first in the country with such an implementation methodology and such an extensive coverage (75% of national treatment facilities reached). The treatment facility survey was acknowledged by the...