Main topic of the last euro net network conference was the problem of drug use in the elderly. Practical approaches at European level in prevention and treatment were shared.
The conference took place in Oslo at 28.11.2017. Eleven of 17 euro net members were able to participate.
The discussion about the drug use in the elderly showed that it is a problem Europe-wide. Specific care plans and prevention methods are necessary. Best practices from Catalonia, Belgium and Germany have shown, that in prevention work for elderly people, we don’t have to start from scratch.
There are two different target groups:
– Seniors (60+) with problematic substance use
– Aging drug users
Seniors with problematic substance use often have got a missing daily structure. They want to remain active and to be needed. Health complains, medications and further circumstances often follow.
For this target group the only thing that matters is the person, not the substance. It is very important to keep this people socialy included – even after the working time. Different examples from the Netherlands and Finland were very innovative, e.g. senior-TV and video chats for “common” meals.

The risk to die because of drug abuse has been reduced the last decades. Especially because of harm reduction like syringe exchange and methadone programmes. But how to deal with elderly and addicted people, who do not fit to common nursing homes? Germany presented an example for long-term home prospect for aging and chronic drug addicted people. Aim of this institution is not to become the inhabitants clean and sober, top of the line for them would be to be substituted in a correct way.

All participants agreed that it is important to have a look at these target groups and to share best practices. It could be conducive to develop a project proposal to prove effective methods on European level.

At the last network conference in Luxembourg in May 2017, the members of euro net elected unanimous a new network member: Ladislav Czémy.

Ph Dr. Ladislav Czémy is head of the research programme. His main task is in the field of epidemiological and clinical research in addictions and social psychiatry.

Since 1985 he works for the National Institute of Mental Health Czech Republic.

National Institute of Mental Health originated from Prague Psychiatric Centre on 1st January 2015 and is located in Klecany. NIMH is meant to become national reference institution for the field of mental health.
NIMH programme is focused on researching neurobiological mechanisms that lead to development of severe mental disorders (schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and stress reactions). Research also includes development and testing of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. In the field of biological nature of addictions NIMH researchs neuronal mechanisms of dependence formation and of new therapeutic possibilities, as well as biological and pharmacological characteristics of existing and especially new synthetic drugs emerging at world market. Output is applied in primary prevention and risk reduction. The main objective is to develop substances and other therapeutic means capable of treating dependencies and prevent them from progressing.

euro net’s latest European project “Localize It!” involves 11 European partner organizations and aims to support 22 municipalities in developing and implementing individual local alcohol strategies.

In May 2017, the partners met for the project kick-off in Luxembourg. During the meeting the partners familiarized with their tasks and are now prepared to start the implementation in their regions.

To start with, each country/region will chose two municipalities, if possible one urban and one rural. The next step is a “Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR)” in each municipality which will collect information on the attitudes concerning alcohol consumption of young people and obtain a comprehensive picture of the current situation in each municipality. Specifically, several key persons will be asked when and in which situations young people consume alcohol in a risky way in their quarters/districts/municipality and where the effects of the alcohol consumption can be seen. Specific groups with high risk consumption will be focused as well.

The RAR results will serve to raise the awareness of key actors in the municipality on the problem of underage and young people’s heavy episodic drinking in their municipalities. Furthermore, the areas with the highest need for action will be defined which will be taken into account for the individual alcohol strategy.

In parallel to the RAR, good practices for individual and structural alcohol prevention will be collected. These programs, measures or interventions will be the basis for the individual action plans in every municipality. The collected good practices will be presented and discussed during a European conference in March 2018.

In order to disseminate effective approaches for local alcohol strategies Europe-wide, a manual will be developed and published towards the end of the project.

Besides the project partners, representatives of the Consumer, Health, Agriculture and Food Agency (Chafea) and of the DG Sante participated in the kick-off meeting. They pointed out, that only two projects in the field of alcohol-consumption got funding which clarified their strong interest in “Localize It!”.

The Belgian Euronet partner CAD Limburg launched a web application www.sportwijs.be for athletes and sports clubs. The application was developed in collaboration with sports clubs and Rotary Belgium.

On sportwijs.be athletes and sports clubs find information and preventive materials concerning alcohol, drugs and gambling. The different modules of the web application were developed according to feedback that was given by sports clubs an athletes through a survey and focus groups.

For each product, like alcohol or tobacco, you’ll find a infographic with the effects on physical achievements. You’ll will also find an alcoholmeter on sportwijs.be that calculates your promillage and your ability to drive. And being an athlete, you’ll also get information about the consummated calories and what that means in running-time.

Our survey pointed out that road safety is an important issue for sports clubs. That is why we developed a module addressing that topic. Athletes, fans and football parents can test their knowledge and attitude towards road safety. People can also draw up a safety-plan for their night out.

A lot of clubs gave their support to support to sportwijs.be. You’ll find some eye-catchers and clips hosting the Belgian U19, National handball player Jeroen De Beule and Belgian beach volley player Katrien Gielen.

New clips and info will frequently be added to the website. These materials can be used by sports clubs on their own social media, websites, player dressing rooms, canteens, etc.

More info: david.fraters@cadlimburg.be

www.sportwijs.be

In 2011 and 2014 the first peer-academies took place in Bern, Switzerland.  Goal was, to bring together experts from the occupational fiels Youth-welfare, Addiction aid, Health care and prevention work with young peer-leaders. About 150 participants, peers and experts, discussed the current knowlegde concerning research and development. They reflected existing peer-projects and exchanged their experiences. The results were edited for the practical work.

The last network conference took place in Coimbra in the middle of June.

Main focus was the discussion about present inclusion of peer education in addiction prevention work. After presentations of different best practice projects, the experts discussed pros and contras of this methodology.

euro net was pleased to welcome its new member: Stig Tore Bogstrand, representative from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH).