TY - JOUR
T1 - How and Where to Find NPS Users: a Comparison of Methods in a Cross-National Survey Among Three Groups of Current Users of New Psychoactive Substances in Europe
AU - Korf, Dirk
AU - Benschop, Annemieke
AU - Werse, Bernd
AU - Kamphausen, Gerrit
AU - Felvinczi, Katalin
AU - Dąbrowska, Katarzyna
AU - Hernriques, Susana
AU - Nabben, Ton
AU - Wieczorek, Łukasz
AU - Bujalski, Michał
AU - Kalo, Zsusza
AU - Hearne, Evelyn
AU - Van Hout, Marie Claire
PY - 2019/1/17
Y1 - 2019/1/17
N2 - Use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across Europe remains a public health challenge. The study describes potentials and limitations of methods in a transnational survey of recent marginalised, nightlife and online community NPS users in Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal (n = 3023). In terms of demographic profile, drug use history and type of NPS, different methods reached different segments of the NPS-using population. Last year use of different NPS varied across countries and groups. Respondents used NPS in a variety of settings, with public spaces most common in the marginalised group. The study suggests that prevalence rates can reveal a picture of the NPS market that significantly deviates from what law enforcement seizures indicate. Outreach in nightlife settings and peer education are recommended to inform users about health risks and to improve access to drug services and care.
AB - Use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across Europe remains a public health challenge. The study describes potentials and limitations of methods in a transnational survey of recent marginalised, nightlife and online community NPS users in Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal (n = 3023). In terms of demographic profile, drug use history and type of NPS, different methods reached different segments of the NPS-using population. Last year use of different NPS varied across countries and groups. Respondents used NPS in a variety of settings, with public spaces most common in the marginalised group. The study suggests that prevalence rates can reveal a picture of the NPS market that significantly deviates from what law enforcement seizures indicate. Outreach in nightlife settings and peer education are recommended to inform users about health risks and to improve access to drug services and care.
KW - New psychoactive substance
KW - NPS
KW - Prevalence
KW - Marginalised drug user
KW - Nightlife drug user
KW - Online community user
KW - Prevention
KW - Health education
U2 - 10.1007/s11469-019-0052-8
DO - 10.1007/s11469-019-0052-8
M3 - Article
JO - International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
JF - International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
SN - 1557-1874
ER -