Abstract: The first ever large-scale, longitudinal study of ketamine users has been published online today in the journal Addiction. With Ketamine (K, Special K) use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK (British Crime Survey, 2008) this research showing the consequences of repeated ketamine use provides valuable information for users and addiction professionals alike.

Abstract: The European Union Drug Strategy for the period 2009–12 sets the goal to yield concrete and identifiable improvements concerning the knowledge of drugs trafficking. In addition, the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009–12 defines among others the objectives to develop key-indicators of policy-relevant data on drug markets, as well as a strategy to collect them. This pilot study on wholesale drug markets aims to contribute to this process, starting by discussing the utility of collecting wholesale drug prices in Europe. In order to assess the feasibility of this collection process, this study provides an overview of the procedures implemented nationally and of the information available in European countries on wholesale drug prices.

Abstract: The European Harm Reduction Network (EuroHRN) has been recently formed by ten organisations with a shared interest in advocating for and sharing knowledge on harm reduction within Europe. It is made up of three sub-regional networks covering North, South and Eastern Europe and managed by a coordinator based at the International Harm Reduction Association in the UK. * The North Europe Sub-Regional Network is led by Foundation De Regenboog Groep (the Netherlands) and Akzept (Germany). * The South Europe Sub-Regional Network is led by APDES (Portugal). * The Eastern Europe Sub-Regional Network is led by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (Lithuania). A specialist project on drug user networking is coordinated by ASUD (French national drug user organisation) working in partnership with the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD). EuroHRN is coordinated by the International Harm Reduction Association and is advised by a Steering Group of ten organisations who manage the development of the project.

Abstract: The European alcohol and Health Forum2 requested in the spring of 2010 the Science Group to provide a summary of the evidence base and advice for possible actions by Forum members to address the Strategy’s goals of preventing alcohol-related harm among adults and reducing the negative impact on the workplace (Annex I). In particular, the Science Group was asked to provide: 1. A quantification of the impact on alcohol on the workplace, and an evaluation of the effects on the productivity of the EU workforce. 2. A concise overview of the current state of play across Europe, highlighting key trends and/or any variations in national or sector experiences as well as between larger or smaller workplace settings. 3. Any pointers towards: (a) High value options for additional research or collection of additional data and indicators; (b) Effective approaches to consider for wider deployment in more workplace settings,including any guidance as to the need for prioritisation of action targeting particular sectoral, professional or age specific groups. The Chair of the Science Group suggested the establishment of a dedicated Working Group to prepare a scientific report on the topic. The Working Group consisted of the following persons: Professor Peter Anderson (chair), Dr. Marjana Martinic, Dr. Anders Romelsjö. The report in Part I deals with items 1 and 3 of the above task requests. The content of the report includes the impact of alcohol on productivity both in work (absenteeism and presenteeism) as well as out of work (unemployment) as these are all related, particularly in times of economic downturn, when workers need to be re integrated back into the workforce. The report in Part II, Approaches to reducing alcohol related harm in the workplace, describes a number of workplace interventions in practice implemented by beverage alcohol producer companies. While workplace interventions are applied across many industries and sectors, these companies were selected because they are members of the alcohol and Health Forum and information about their practices was accessible to the Science group.

Abstract: The EU drug markets report provides the first comprehensive overview of illicit drug markets in the European Union. The report combines Europol’s strategic perspective and operational understanding of trends and developments in organised crime with the EMCDDA’s ongoing monitoring and analysis of various aspects of the drug phenomenon in Europe and beyond. The EU drug market is complex, and the analysis provided here spans numerous topics such as production, consumer markets, trafficking, organised crime and policy responses. Taking a multi-source approach, the report reviews the markets for heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and new psychoactive substances. It also provides concrete action points for the areas where the current EU response to the drug market and its consequent harms may be improved. This publication is an essential reference for law enforcement professionals, policymakers, the academic community and indeed for anyone seeking up-to-date information and analysis on drug markets in Europe.