Model of Care for Microelimination of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among People Who Inject Drugs.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are the largest group at risk for HCV infection. Despite the direct acting antivirals (DAA) advancements, HCV elimination has been hindered by real-life difficulties in PWID.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary intervention strategy where HCV screening, treatment and follow-up were performed at the same location on efficacy and safety of DAA-therapy in real-life PWID population.

Early Identification of Locally Emerging Trends in Psychoactive Substance Use - Experience and Best Practice in Four European Localities.

Timely information about trends in psychoactive substance use could yield tailored interventions and reduce potential harms. However, conventional epidemiological tools might have limited capacity to detect trends emerging on a local level. The aim of this study was to explore best practice in the identification of new drug trends at the local level.

Long-term methadone maintenance effectiveness: psychosocial and pharmacological variables.

Data were collected from 265 heroin-dependent patients in long-term methadone maintenance treatment for methadone dosage, administration method, illicit drug and problematic alcohol use, psychiatric diagnoses, quality of interpersonal relationships, employment, legal problems, health, and cravings. Patients receiving higher methadone doses (more than 80 mg) were more likely to respond to methadone treatment than patients receiving lower doses. Superior outcome was also related to good quality of interpersonal relationships, stable employment, and lower craving scores.