A review of screening, assessment and outcome measures for drug and alcohol settings.

Standardised tools cover a range of areas which may be relevant to Drug and Alcohol (D&A) services. This review provides an overview of some useful standardised tools that can be used to measure treatment outcomes and to screen and assess for mental health symptoms and conditions, drug and alcohol use and disorders and general functioning. Focus has been given to tools that require limited training to use and are freely available. It should be noted that some of these tools require specialist training, or else mislabelling, misinterpretation, or inappropriate use may occur (Groth-Marnat, 2003; Roche & Pollard, 2006). Some tools are copyright protected and need to be purchased, and/or require the user to have specific qualifications. It is important that workers are aware of what they are, and are not, trained to use, and seek training where required. Screening is designed only to highlight the existence of symptoms, not to diagnose clients. Most of the measures described are completed as a self-report (i.e., they are completed by the client). Others, however, need to be administered by a worker. It should be noted that, unfortunately, there are no brief measures with established reliability and validity for the identification of possible personality disorders. The possible presence of these disorders needs to be assessed by a health professional that is qualified and trained to do so (e.g., a registered or clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist). There is a general lack of a standardised approach to screening, assessment and outcome measurement in the D&A sector. A variety of different tools are used, some of which are empirically established instruments whilst others are purpose-built, internally designed tools with increased practicality and utility but unknown validity and reliability (Roche & Pollard, 2006). This review focuses solely on the former. Similarly, it is important to note that this review, in and of itself is not exhaustive, as the number of available instruments is vast. Nevertheless, all attempts have been made to include the most relevant and useful measures. This review is broken down into several categories: 1. Global measures – tools that measure a range of client factors (e.g., substance use, psychological and physical health, social functioning). 2. General health and functioning measures – tools that rate an individual’s functioning abilities and limitations. 3. General mental health measures – tools that measure a range of psychological symptoms (e.g. distress). 4. Specific mental health measures – tools that measure the symptoms of one disorder class only. 5. Positive mental health measures – an emerging area for outcome measurement in mental health has come from the philosophies of recovery, wellbeing, empowerment and rehabilitation. 6. General substance misuse measures – brief tools to ascertain the existence/nature of the substance problem 7. Severity of substance misuse measures – more specific tools to measure the severity of the substance use problem 8. Craving measures – this section provides an outline of some potentially useful drug craving measures For each tool, information has been included on its psychometric properties (according to available research), its suitability for particular client groups, availability/cost and scoring administration and expertise required

'Linkage' pharmaceutical evergreening in Canada and Australia

'Evergreening' is not a formal concept of patent law. It is best understood as a social idea used to refer to the myriad ways in which pharmaceutical patent owners utilise the law and related regulatory processes to extend their high rent-earning intellectual monopoly privileges, particularly over highly profitable (either in total sales volume or price per unit) 'blockbuster' drugs. Thus, while the courts are an instrument frequently used by pharmaceutical brand name manufacturers to prolong their patent royalties, 'evergreening' is rarely mentioned explicitly by judges in patent protection cases. The term usually refers to threats made to competitors about a brand-name manufacturer's tactical use of pharmaceutical patents (including over uses, delivery systems and even packaging), not to extension of any particular patent over an active product ingredient. This article focuses in particular on the 'evergreening' potential of so-called 'linkage' provisions, imposed on the regulatory (safety, quality and efficacy) approval systems for generic pharmaceuticals of Canada and Australia, by specific articles in trade agreements with the US. These 'linkage' provisions have also recently appeared in the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUSFTA). They require such drug regulators to facilitate notification of, or even prevent, any potential patent infringement by a generic pharmaceutical manufacturer. This article explores the regulatory lessons to be learnt from Canada's and Australia's shared experience in terms of minimizing potential adverse impacts of such 'linkage evergreening' provisions on drug costs and thereby potentially on citizen's access to affordable, essential medicines

Implementation of an assessment and monitoring programme for Irish and British forests. BIOPLAN Final Report

A report describing in detail the scientific research that underpins the 30 specific recommendations are made for policy and practice in the Irish forestry sector made by the project.The four year BIOPLAN project ‘Implementation of an assessment and monitoring programme for biodiversity in Irish and British forests’ had the principal objective to identify ways in which forest policy and management can safeguard the future of forest biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, and inform environmentally sustainable expansion of Ireland’s forests. From the research findings, 30 specific recommendations are made for policy and practice in the Irish forestry sector to mitigate the effects of forest management on biodiversity. These recommendations are underpinned by sound scientific research to ensure that their implementation will help to deliver on Ireland’s commitment to sustainable forest management

GeoERA Raw Materials Monograph : the past and the future

ABSTRACT: GeoERA Minerals projects have produced data aimed at supporting Europe’s minerals sector and to assist the European Commission to realise its goals for raw materials. Data has been compiled on mineral occurrences and mineral provinces across Europe, in particular, areas with potential to host Critical Raw Materials. Anecdotal evidence from the minerals sector provides an indication of the likelihood of exploration leading to mine development. For every 1,000 mineral showings examined, only 100 may receive further exploration work and of those 100, only 10 may warrant more detailed sampling either through trenching, drilling or other means and of those 10 only 1 may proceed to an evaluation through a full feasibility study which itself has only 50% chance of being positive. Following this, any project for which a mine proposal is made must undergo a full evaluation and permitting by authorities including full public consultation. The proposal may or may not pass this scrutiny. In terms of a schedule, the generally accepted minimum time frame from discovery to production is 10 years and usually much more, up to 20 years.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Further interceptions of the Neotropical fungus gnat Sciophila fractinervis Edwards, 1940 (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) in Britain with comments and observations on its biology and spread

From 2020 onwards, several specimens of the Neotropical fungus gnat Sciophila fractinervis (Edwards, 1940) have been intercepted by Fera Science Ltd. on or near plant material in the United Kingdom originating from nurseries and glasshouses at four separate locations: Preston, Lancashire; Chichester, West Sussex; East Riding of Yorkshire; and Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, as well as a single interception from the Netherlands. Gnat interceptions were associated with a wide range of plant species: Ficus benjamina, Ficus elastica, Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Impatiens hawkeri (Impatiens New Guinea hybrids), Chrysanthemum, as well as Fragaria vesca (var. Lusa). The species does not appear to be doing any damage to affected plants with growing conditions likely promoting multiplication under protection. The larvae likely feed on spores (generally saprophytic) adhering to webs they erect on the soil and around the base of plants with spores likely originating from the growing medium and plants. Their spread is likely facilitated by movement of the growing medium or plant material where pupae are suspended in the lower stem or leaf axils.An account of the various interceptions is provided, as well as images of the different life-stages with a brief discussion of Sciophila cincticornis Edwards, 1940, its relationship with Sciophila fractinervis and further evidence of instability in vein R2+3 in the Sciophila genus

Treatments for co-occurring depression and substance use in young people: a systematic review.

Background: Depression and problematic substance use represent two of the major social and health problems facing young people internationally. Frequently, these conditions co-occur and this co-occurrence is associated with greater functional impact, poorer treatment outcomes, and increased costs to both society and the individual. Objective: This review aims to identify peer-reviewed published trials of interventions for co-occurring substance use and depression delivered to young people, describe these interventions, and critique the methodological quality of the studies. Method: Eleven electronic databases were searched. The reference lists of relevant review papers were searched manually for additional studies not identified by the electronic database search. Results: Initially, 1,976 studies were identified, of which 22 were classified as trial studies of youth-based treatment interventions for co-occurring substance use and depression. Ten of these studies met criteria for review. The majority (60%) utilized a pharmacotherapy component, but found it to be generally no better than placebo when both groups received adjunct counselling. Methodological quality of studies varied. Conclusions: There is a dearth of trials of interventions for co-occurring depression and substance use disorders in young people. The limited data available is promising regarding the overall effectiveness of a psychological counselling approach. Given the importance of early intervention, and the difficulties faced when engaging youth in treatment, there is a need for further focused effort amongst this group. This may require more innovative techniques in intervention design and implementation. Recent advances in Internet- and mobile phone-based therapies present a potential avenue for further research

Further interceptions of the Neotropical fungus gnat Sciophila fractinervis Edwards, 1940 (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) in Britain with comments and observations on its biology and spread

From 2020 onwards, several specimens of the Neotropical fungus gnat Sciophila fractinervis (Edwards, 1940) have been intercepted by Fera Science Ltd. on or near plant material in the United Kingdom originating from nurseries and glasshouses at four separate locations: Preston, Lancashire; Chichester, West Sussex; East Riding of Yorkshire; and Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, as well as a single interception from the Netherlands. Gnat interceptions were associated with a wide range of plant species: Ficus benjamina, Ficus elastica, Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Impatiens hawkeri (Impatiens New Guinea hybrids), Chrysanthemum, as well as Fragaria vesca (var. Lusa). The species does not appear to be doing any damage to affected plants with growing conditions likely promoting multiplication under protection. The larvae likely feed on spores (generally saprophytic) adhering to webs they erect on the soil and around the base of plants with spores likely originating from the growing medium and plants. Their spread is likely facilitated by movement of the growing medium or plant material where pupae are suspended in the lower stem or leaf axils.An account of the various interceptions is provided, as well as images of the different life-stages with a brief discussion of Sciophila cincticornis Edwards, 1940, its relationship with Sciophila fractinervis and further evidence of instability in vein R2+3 in the Sciophila genus

Developing an integrated, Internet-based self-help programme for young people with depression and alcohol use problems

Depression and alcohol use problems represent two of the major causes of disease burden in young people today. These conditions frequently co-occur and this co-occurrence is associated with increased risks and poorer outcomes than either disorder in isolation. Integrated treatments have been shown to be effective, however, there remains a significant gap between those in need of treatment and those receiving it, particularly in young people. The increased availability of Internet-based programmes to complement health care presents a unique opportunity in the treatment of these conditions. This paper presents the findings of a development stage of the first Internet-based programme for young people (aged 18–25 years) with co-occurring depression and alcohol use problems: the DEAL Project (DEpression-ALcohol). This stage involved engaging young people and mental health professionals to provide feedback regarding the acceptability and feasibility of a draft version of the programme. The 4-module draft programme incorporated evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques and motivational enhancement principles. A series of focus groups with young people (n = 25) and interviews of key professionals (n = 6) were conducted. The feedback provided by this phase of testing was used to inform revisions to the programme. Overall, the DEAL Project programme was well-received and provides an innovative new platform for the treatment of co-occurring depression and alcohol use problems in young people. The next phase will include an evaluation of programme efficacy. If found to be efficacious, the programme has the potential to improve outcomes, reduce disease burden, and increase treatment uptake in this vulnerable group

The Suicide Assessment Kit-Modified (SAK-M): Development and Validation of a Modified Tool for Assessing Suicidality in Autistic Adults

Examination of a modified version of the Suicide Assessment Kit suicidality screening interview in autistic adults

Comorbid depression and problematic alcohol use in young people: the development and evaluation of an online intervention

Depression and problematic alcohol use represent two of the major causes of disease burden in young adults. These conditions frequently co-occur and this co-occurrence is associated with increased risks and poorer outcomes than either disorder in isolation. Integrated treatments have been shown to be effective in treating this comorbidity, however, there remains significant unmet need, particularly in young people. This unmet need is a function of ineffectual health-system responses, a lack of evidence-based, youth-targeted treatments, and a range of motivational challenges inherent to this population. Due to a lack of uptake of traditional services among young adults, other forms of treatment require exploration. The aim of this thesis was to develop and evaluate the first online intervention (the DEAL Project) for co-occurring depression and problematic alcohol use in young people (aged 18 to 25 years).Development of the innovative program involved a systematic review of youth comorbidity treatments to direct the program content and aspects of delivery. Following this, both delivery, structural, and clinical components were considered and integrated via an analysis of an existing eHealth intervention for comorbidity in the general population, a working discussion group, and evidence-based practice. Finally, young people and key experts were engaged to enhance and refine the program and explore the acceptability and feasibility of program elements.To establish the efficacy of the DEAL Project an Australia-wide randomised controlled trial was conducted (N = 104). The DEAL Project was associated with significant improvement in depression and alcohol use outcomes in the short-term, relative to an attention-control group that showed no change. Over the course of the 6-month follow-up the significant difference between the two groups disappeared, however, the improvements in the treatment group observed at post-treatment were maintained.This thesis provides support for the use of brief, self-guided online interventions in this population. Strategies to increase program adherence and engagement require further research and are discussed in turn