Harm reduction (HR) has been a pillar of drug policy in the Netherlands for many decades. In fact, the Netherlands was a pioneer in the field of HR. Like many other Western countries, the Netherlands was hit by a wave of heroin use in the 1970s. The Dutch adopted HR programs early on at the height of their heroin crisis in the 1980s, and implemented the first needle and syringe exchange program worldwide. HR seeks to reduce the health and social harms of drug use to individuals and the wider community, without requiring people to stop using drugs (EMCDDA, 2010). It is a client-centered and low...

Tobacco harm reduction is a public health strategy aimed at lessening the health impact of cigarette smoking. This approach involves using non-combustible alternatives to cigarettes, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which deliver nicotine without combustion. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes produce an aerosol without burning, resulting in lower levels of harmful or potentially harmful chemicals.

This narrative review delves into existing literature examining the chemistry of e-cigarette aerosols, associated toxicology in cell culture and animal models, and clinical...

Background

This study explores substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUDs) among Arabic-speaking refugees in Germany. The research investigates the challenges and experiences related to SU treatment from the perspectives of both refugees and professionals.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 participants, including 13 refugees and 13 professionals, between 2020 and 2021 in Berlin. Refugees, aged 21 to 52, were individually interviewed in rehabilitation centers, with an average of 6.3 years in Germany. Professionals, aged 22 to 66 with 5 to 9 years of experience...

The new draft guideline on harmful gambling recommends health professionals should ask people about gambling if they attend a health check or GP appointment about a mental health condition. 

These guideline aims to ensure that those needing help or who are at risk of harmful gambling are identified sooner and receive appropriate help.

Consultation on the draft guideline is open until Wednesday 15 November.

At the 10th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users, held in Glasgow, Scotland, international policymakers gathered to discuss the global overdose crisis and the role that supervised consumption sites can play in helping end these needless and preventable deaths.

The policy brief

A new policy brief is now available that summarises the day’s discussions and provides a starting point for those wanting to know more about supervised consumption rooms and their impact.

It includes:

• Evidence of success
• Global case studies
• Evaluation models 
• Implementation...

Background

Harmful alcohol use is more prevalent among sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) than their cisgender/heterosexual counterparts. The reasons for this are complex, incorporating alcohol’s normalization and availability in social settings, its importance to identity construction, and drinking to cope with stigma and discrimination. However, commercial determinants have been underexplored, particularly how alcohol is marketed to SGM communities.

Methods

Scoping review methodology was employed. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, ASSIA, PsycInfo...