The International journal on drug policy
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Int. J. Drug Policy · Dec 2007
Multi-level governance: The way forward for European illicit drug policy?
Illicit drug policy has long been an area that has attracted international policy intervention, however, the European Union has declared it an area of subsidiarity, leaving ultimate control to national governments. Nevertheless, European Union preoccupation with the illicit drug issue and international drug trafficking and organised crime concerns have ensured that continued and increased cooperation in illicit drug policy is never off the agenda. This article examines the history of European integration in contrasting areas of policy and considers both the desirability and the viability of an increasingly harmonised drug policy for Europe. Finally, it proposes a model of integrated illicit drug policy that is strongly connected to developing patterns of European social policy, calling on multi-level governance and close involvement at the level of the citizen.
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Int. J. Drug Policy · Oct 2007
ReviewIntegrating multiple programme and policy approaches to hepatitis C prevention and care for injection drug users: a comprehensive approach.
New York State is home to an estimated 230,000 individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and roughly 171,500 active injection drug users (IDUs). HCV/HIV co-infection is common and models of service delivery that effectively meet IDUs' needs are required. A HCV strategic plan has stressed integration. ⋯ A comprehensive, public health approach, using multiple strategies across systems and mobilizing multiple sectors, can enhance IDUs access to HCV prevention and care. A holisitic approach with integrated services, including for HCV-HIV co-infected IDUs is needed. Leadership, collaboration and resources are essential.
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This paper explores elements of the relationships that develop between people who use illicit drugs and people who provide services to them. It focuses on expectations people who use drugs and service providers have of health and social care relationships for harm reduction, as well as facilitators and barriers to effective and ineffective interactions, and to what governments might better do to help strengthen interactions. Prior to Canada's inaugural national harm reduction conference, informal discussion groups were organized to source local views regarding policy reform for harm reduction. ⋯ The research described in this paper targeted those most directly involved in receiving, developing and delivering harm reduction programmes across a very diverse nation. It did so by including representatives of those most directly involved in utilizing and providing services within the research process itself. By incorporating a process that was community-based, user-driven, and which strived to be non-judgmental, the research was able to explore suggestions for improving health and social care relationships for harm reduction proffered by professionals actively providing services, as well as a variety of users, including some isolated or structurally excluded from service access by geography, illiteracy and/or street-involvement.