Poly-substance use and related harms: A systematic review of harm reduction strategies implemented in recreational settings

Pattern and characteristics of ecstasy and related drug (ERD) presentations at two hospital emergency departments, Melbourne, Australia, 2008–2010

“…One potential approach may be to focus on the development of strategies aimed at enhancing the capacity of venues and their patrons to self-manage minor adverse events. A recent systematic review highlighted the variety of harm reduction interventions that have been conducted in recreational settings such as pubs and clubs, but few such interventions have been evaluated 30. Another potential strategy for harm minimisation may be to increase the availability of pill testing kits, which allow users to identify the contents of ecstasy pills, as regular ecstasy users have reported that they would make use of these kits if they were readily available 31.…”

Prevención ambiental de drogas en la Unión Europea. ¿Por qué es tan impopular este tipo de prevención?

“…These approaches are also often supported by the nightlife and alcohol industries and may not be well enforced. Despite these failings, a recent review (Akbar, Baldacchino, Cecil, Riglietta, Sommer & Humphris, 2011) found that these kinds of interventions were the most common available.…”

“…A recent systematic review of harm reduction strategies implemented in recreational settings (Akbar et al, 2011) finds that they are rarely properly evaluated. Interventions targeted at training service staff are the most common type of programme, and focus on topics such as how to recognise signs of intoxication and when and how to refuse service to patrons.…”

Estándares europeos en salud y seguridad para los locales de ocio nocturno

“…However, the authors do warn that some widely promoted preventive interventions, such as pill testing projects and educational activities by experienced peers, have not yet been adequately evaluated through experimental designs. Furthermore, Akbar et al (2011) notes that whilst most studies focus on alcohol, very few focus on illicit drug use. Although recreational nightlife is clearly a hegemonic phenomenon, in accord with the aforementioned reviews, Akbar et al, (2011) draw attention to the lack of European studies in this field; 86% of the studies identified in this systematic review were interventions targeted at training service staff who may refuse to serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals, and a multi-component model was recurrent in the majority (58%) of initiatives.…”

“…Furthermore, Akbar et al (2011) notes that whilst most studies focus on alcohol, very few focus on illicit drug use. Although recreational nightlife is clearly a hegemonic phenomenon, in accord with the aforementioned reviews, Akbar et al, (2011) draw attention to the lack of European studies in this field; 86% of the studies identified in this systematic review were interventions targeted at training service staff who may refuse to serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals, and a multi-component model was recurrent in the majority (58%) of initiatives. However, the authors concluded that the heterogeneity of the measures used to determine the effectiveness of implemented interventions makes comparisons between such strategies in order to determine best practices difficult.…”