Psychosocial interventions in drug misuse

Psychosocial interventions in drug misuse : a framework and toolkit for implementing NICE-recommended treatment interventions (pre-publication version) / National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, March 2009

The document discusses a range of interventions including motivations interventions, contingency management, cognitive behaviour therapy and behavioural activation.

Throughout 2009 the NTA is developing a series of practical tools to help clinicians and drugs workers deliver effective and workable psychosocial interventions. Last month it published 'Routes to Recovery', a report outlining evidence based mapping techniques for treating drug addiction based on two successful pilots - the Birmingham Treatment Effectiveness Initiative (BTEI) and the International Treatment Effectiveness Project (ITEP). A full copy of this report is available on the NTA website here.

International review : homelessness and substance misuse in Scotland

The Scottish Government Social Research Unit has published a rapid evidence review of services for homeless people with substance misuse problems. The review considers models of service delivery and outcome measurement within a Scottish context.

Among the review's findings:

* There is strong evidence of a mutually reinforcing relationship between these two
social problems.

* There is a strong association between the presence of mental health problems or
severe mental illness among homeless people with substance misuse problems in
Scotland.

* Homeless people with substance misuse problems have a range of needs that can
include support with daily living skills, a requirement for mental health services and a
requirement for support in managing substance misuse.

* There is no strong evidence on the effectiveness of preventative services to counteract
potential homelessness among people with a history of substance misuse.

National consultation launched on alcohol consumption

Proposals for tackling alcohol misuse in Scotland were launched this week. The discussion document 'Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol' sets out the Scottish Government's strategic approach to dealing with alcohol misuse and illustrates the scale of alcohol-related harm. It outlines key actions already underway which will contribute to tackling both the underlying causes of, and the negative effects resulting from, Scotland's complex relationship with alcohol.

The framework for action also sets out new proposals to reduce alcohol-related harm in Scotland, on which views are invited. Informed by the comments generated by the discussion paper, the next stage is to work to develop more specific actions.

New Scottish drugs strategy launched

The first national drugs strategy since devolution was launched on Thursday 29th May. Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing hailed it as "a new era" in Scotland's approach to tackling drugs. He said promoting recovery from drug problems would now form the focus of efforts to tackle drug use. Ministers believe the strategy will help cut the estimated annual £2.6 billion financial burden of problem drug use to the Scottish economy and society. The document can be found here and the Scottish Government press release can be found here. Further information on the strategy can be found here.