New psychoactive substancesthe youth and professionals informational needs

(translated from Polish) The study conducted in the frame of the RedNet project among health professionals dealing with drug users (N=124) and youth population (N=716) was aimed at assessment of the level of knowledge about new psychoactive substances (NPS), informational needs on NPS and preferred method for the dissemination of information. Data collected in Poland showed that youth rated their knowledge on NPS higher than health professionals as approximately 25% of young respondents and 5% of health professionals reported that their knowledge on NPS is “very good”. Moreover, approximately 90% of young people and 60% of health professionals heard/read about or had known somebody who tried Salvia divinorum, Spice and mephedrone. Most of the professionals (98%) and more than half young people (59%) would like to receive up-to-date information on NPS. For both groups of respondents following information were most often perceived as important in getting an understanding/knowledge on NSP: desired psychoactive effects, adverse side effects, modalities of use and key points/overview. In general, health professional rated importance of particular topics higher than young people. Preferred method of delivery information on NPS for both groups of respondents were: e-mail and Internet. More health professionals than young respondents favoured electronic newsletter, but more young people preferred Facebook as the method of delivery information on NPS.Peer reviewe