Health and social services for drug users

Author(s):  
Thomas Babor ◽  
Jonathan Caulkins ◽  
Griffith Edwards ◽  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
David Foxcroft ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Babor ◽  
Jonathan Caulkins ◽  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
David Foxcroft ◽  
Keith Humphreys ◽  
...  

Policies affecting the type, amount, and organization of health and social services play an important role in the overall effectiveness of a service system. Countries differ markedly in their service systems, which vary in terms of the availability, accessibility, coordination, cost-effectiveness, and coerciveness of treatment and harm-reduction services. There are now a large number of evidence-informed health and social services that are ready for implementation in systems of care in both low and high-income countries. These interventions, along with innovations in the organization of service systems, can directly address access, equity, and coordination. Coordination between the criminal justice system, mental health services, primary health care, and the treatment system can reduce drug use, improve health, prevent crime, and decrease recidivism. Health and social services organized within an integrated system, can have an impact on the population in a variety of areas targeted by drug policy.


Author(s):  
Thomas F. Babor ◽  
Jonathan Caulkins ◽  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
David Foxcroft ◽  
Keith Humphreys ◽  
...  

Health and social services attempt to reduce drug-related harm by promoting abstinence, by reducing the frequency of drug use, and by changing behaviours that are harmful to drug users and society at large, such as HIV risk behaviour, drug overdose, and criminal activity. Among the most carefully evaluated programmes are interventions focused on users of heroin and other opioids. The documented benefits of opioid substitution therapy include reduced overdose mortality, less HIV infection, and lower crime rates. Therapeutic communities, contingency management, counselling for marijuana dependence, and brief interventions for at-risk drug use have the next strongest level of evidence. Psychosocial interventions for users of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, benzopdiazepines, and club drugs have evidence of effectiveness as well.


2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Mulia

Interest in improving low-income, drug-using women's access to and utilization of care services tends to focus on remedies to personal, structural and gendered barriers to care. In contrast, this exploratory, qualitative study of women's perspectives illustrates how institutional rules, both within and across agencies, and informal provider practices can constrain women's use of health and social services. This paper draws attention to the ways in which low-income, drug-using women respond to obstacles and interpersonal tensions they experience in service settings. As a means of pursuing their material and social well-being, the women employ forms of resistance that are both protective and potentially harmful. This paper underscores the need to recognize how service institutions are implicated in drug users' everyday struggles for well-being.


Author(s):  
Thomas Babor ◽  
Jonathan Caulkins ◽  
Griffith Edwards ◽  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
David Foxcroft ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Harry Minas

This chapter provides an overview of what is known about prevalence, social determinants, treatment, and course and impact of depression in developing, or low- and middle-income, countries. The importance of culture in depression and in the construction and application of diagnostic classifications and in health and social services is highlighted, with a particular focus on the applicability of ‘Western’ diagnostic constructs and service systems in developing country settings. The role of international organizations, such as WHO, and international development programs, such as the SDGs, in improving our understanding of depression and in developing effective and culturally appropriate responses is briefly examined. There is both a need and increasing opportunities in developing countries for greater commitment to mental health of populations, increased investment in mental health and social services, and culturally informed research that will contribute to improved global understanding of mental disorders in general and depression in particular.


Author(s):  
Ilaria Chirico ◽  
Rabih Chattat ◽  
Vladimíra Dostálová ◽  
Pavla Povolná ◽  
Iva Holmerová ◽  
...  

There is evidence supporting the use of psychosocial interventions in dementia care. Due to the role of policy in clinical practice, the present study investigates whether and how the issue of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in the national dementia plans and strategies across Europe. A total of 26 national documents were found. They were analyzed by content analysis to identify the main pillars associated with the topic of psychosocial care and interventions. Specifically, three categories emerged: (1) Treatment, (2) Education, and (3) Research. The first one was further divided into three subcategories: (1) Person-centred conceptual framework, (2) Psychosocial interventions, and (3) Health and social services networks. Overall, the topic of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in all the country policies. However, the amount of information provided differs across the documents, with only the category of ‘Treatment’ covering all of them. Furthermore, on the basis of the existing policies, how the provision of psychosocial care and interventions would be enabled, and how it would be assessed are not fully apparent yet. Findings highlight the importance of policies based on a comprehensive and well-integrated system of care, where the issue of psychosocial care and interventions is fully embedded.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ben Charif ◽  
◽  
Karine V. Plourde ◽  
Sabrina Guay-Bélanger ◽  
Hervé Tchala Vignon Zomahoun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The scale-up of evidence-based innovations is required to reduce waste and inequities in health and social services (HSS). However, it often tends to be a top-down process initiated by policy makers, and the values of the intended beneficiaries are forgotten. Involving multiple stakeholders including patients and the public in the scaling-up process is thus essential but highly complex. We propose to identify relevant strategies for meaningfully and equitably involving patients and the public in the science and practice of scaling up in HSS. Methods We will adapt our overall method from the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. Following this, we will perform a two-prong study design (knowledge synthesis and Delphi study) grounded in an integrated knowledge translation approach. This approach involves extensive participation of a network of stakeholders interested in patient and public involvement (PPI) in scaling up and a multidisciplinary steering committee. We will conduct a systematic scoping review following the methodology recommended in the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers Manual. We will use the following eligibility criteria: (1) participants—any stakeholder involved in creating or testing a strategy for PPI; (2) intervention—any PPI strategy proposed for scaling-up initiatives; (3) comparator—no restriction; (4) outcomes: any process or outcome metrics related to PPI; and (5) setting—HSS. We will search electronic databases (e.g., Medline, Web of Science, Sociological Abstract) from inception onwards, hand search relevant websites, screen the reference lists of included records, and consult experts in the field. Two reviewers will independently select and extract eligible studies. We will summarize data quantitatively and qualitatively and report results using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. We will conduct an online Delphi survey to achieve consensus on the relevant strategies for PPI in scaling-up initiatives in HSS. Participants will include stakeholders from low-, middle-, and high-income countries. We anticipate that three rounds will allow an acceptable degree of agreement on research priorities. Discussion Our findings will advance understanding of how to meaningfully and equitably involve patients and the public in scaling-up initiatives for sustainable HSS. Systematic review registration We registered this protocol with the Open Science Framework on August 19, 2020 (https://osf.io/zqpx7/).


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