BACKGROUND:
To estimate the prevalence of problem drug use (PDU) and injecting drug use (IDU) in Luxembourg and analyze trends between 1997 and 2009. To assess the feasibility of prevalence estimations based on drug use surveillance systems.
METHODS:
Serial multi-method PDU/IDU prevalence estimations based upon capture-recapture, Poisson regression, multiplier and back-calculation methods. Comparative analysis of methods and assessment of their robustness to variations of external factors.
RESULTS:
National PDU and IDU prevalence rates were estimated at 6.16/1,000 (95% CI 4.62/1,000 to 7.81/1,000) and 5.68/1,000 (95% CI 4.53/1,000 to 6.85/1,000) inhabitants aged 15-64 years, respectively. Absolute prevalence and prevalence rates of PDU increased between 1997 and 2000 and declined from 2003 onwards, whereas IDU absolute prevalence and prevalence rates witnessed an increasing trend between 1997 and 2007.
CONCLUSIONS:
Drug use surveillance systems can be valuable instruments for the estimation and trend analysis of drug misuse prevalence given multiple methods are applied that rely on serial and representative data from different sources and different settings, control multiple counts and build upon standardized and sustained data collection routines. The described institutional contact indicator revealed to be a useful tool in the context of PDU/IDU prevalence estimations and thus contributes to enhancing evidence-based drug policy planning.

Souce: Pubmed

[Evaluation du Plan d'action national sur les drogues (2005-2009) du Luxembourg]
Ce rapport d'évaluation externe du plan d'action national en matière de lutte contre les drogues et les toxicmanies 2005-2009 a été réalisé sur demande du Ministère luxembourgeois de la Santé par l'Institut Trimbos (Netherland Institute of Mental Health and Addiction).
POUR COMMANDER ce rapport, consulter le site de l’Institut Trimbos (référence de la publication AF0930, prix:15,00 €).

BACKGROUND/AIM:
We analysed gender differences in national fatal overdose (FOD) cases related to opiates and cocaine use between 1985 and 2011 (n = 340).
METHODS:
Cross-examination of national data from law enforcement and drug use surveillance sources and of forensic evidence. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis of male/female differences according to sociodemographics, forensic evidence and drug use trajectories.
RESULTS:
The burden of deaths caused by FOD on the general national mortality was higher for men (PMR/100=0.55) compared with women (PMR/100=0.34). Compared with their male peers, women were younger at the time of death (t=3.274; p=0.001) and showed shorter drug use careers (t=2.228; p=0.028). Heroin use was recorded more frequently in first drug offences of female victims (AOR=6.59; 95% CI 2.97-14.63) and according to forensic evidence, psychotropic prescription drugs were detected to a higher degree in females (AOR=2.019; 95% CI 1.065-3.827).
CONCLUSION:
The time window between the onset of illicit drug use and its fatal outcome revealed to be shorter for women versus men included in our study. Early intervention in female drug users, routine involvement of first-line healthcare providers and increased attention to use of poly- and psychotropic prescription drugs might contribute to prevent premature drug-related death and reduce gender differences.

Souce: Pubmed

Le rapport 2018 sur l’état du phénomène des drogues et des toxicomanies au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg (RELIS) vise à situer le contexte dans lequel s’inscrivent l’usage et le trafic illicites de drogues et les toxicomanies au niveau national en proposant une vue d’ensemble des évolutions historiques et des tendances actuellement observées en la matière.

Depuis sa création en 1994, le Point focal luxembourgeois de l’Observatoire européen des drogues et des toxicomanies (OEDT) oeuvre au développement d’un réseau national d'observation en matière de drogues et de toxicomanies, connu sous le nom de Réseau luxembourgeois d'information sur les stupéfiants et les toxicomanies (RELIS). Outre ses travaux de recherche thématiques, il publie annuellement le rapport national sur l’état du phénomène de la drogue au G.- D. de Luxembourg.

Ce rapport vise à situer le contexte dans lequel s’inscrivent l’usage et le trafic illicites de drogues et les toxicomanies à l’échelle nationale en proposant une vue d’ensemble des orientations et des tendances actuellement observées en la matière.

Le rapport Tendances et évolutions présente une analyse très complète du phénomène de la drogue en Europe. Il examine l’offre de drogue, les modes de consommation et les problèmes de santé publique ainsi que les politiques antidrogue et les réponses apportées au problème. Avec le Bulletin statistique en ligne, les Synthèses nationales et les Perspectives sur les drogues, il compose le dossier du Rapport européen sur les drogues 2016.

À propos de l’EMCDDA
L’Observatoire européen des drogues et des toxicomanies (EMCDDA) est la source centrale et l’autorité confirmée dans le domaine des questions liées à la drogue en Europe. Depuis plus de 20 ans, il collecte, analyse et diffuse des informations scientifiques sur les drogues et les toxicomanies et sur leurs conséquences, offrant ainsi à ses publics un aperçu du phénomène des drogues au niveau européen sur la base de données factuelles.

BACKGROUND:
To investigate social and economic inequalities in fatal overdose cases related to opioid and cocaine use, recorded in Luxembourg between 1994 and 2011.
METHODS:
Cross-examination of national data from law enforcement and drug use surveillance sources and of forensic evidence in a nested case-control study design. Overdose cases were individually matched with four controls, when available, according to sex, year of birth, drug administration route and duration of drug use. 272 cases vs 1056 controls were analysed. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the respective impact of a series of socioeconomic variables.
RESULTS:
Being professionally active [OR=0.66 (95% CI 0.45-0.99)], reporting salary as main legal income source [OR=0.42 (95% CI 0.26-0.67)] and education attainment higher than primary school [OR=0.50 (95% CI 0.34-0.73)] revealed to be protective factors, whereas the professional status of the father or legal guardian of victims was not significantly associated to fatal overdoses.
CONCLUSIONS:
Socioeconomic inequalities in drug users impact on the occurrence of fatal overdoses. Compared to their peers, users of illicit drugs with lower socioeconomic profiles show increased odds of dying from overdose. However, actual and self-referred socioeconomic characteristics of drug users, such as educational attainment and employment, may have a greater predictive value of overdose mortality than the parental socioeconomic status. Education, vocational training and socio-professional reintegration should be part of drug-related mortality prevention policies.

Souce: Pubmed

L’objectif des lignes directrices est de formuler des recommandations pour la conception et la mise en œuvre d’interventions efficaces en lignes destinées aux jeunes usagers de drogues illicites et en particulier de nouvelles substances psychotropes.
Ces lignes directrices ont été développées dans le cadre du projet financé par l'Union européenne « Click for Support »

Le rapport 2013 sur l’état du phénomène de la drogue au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg (RELIS) vise à situer le contexte dans lequel s’inscrivent l’usage et le trafic illicites de drogues et les toxicomanies au niveau national en proposant une vue d’ensemble des évolutions historiques et les tendances actuellement observées en la matière.

[Evaluation de la stratégie et plan d'action gouvernemental 2010-2014 du Luxembourg en matière de lutte contre les drogues et les toxicomanies]
On request of the Luxembourg Ministry of Health, the Trimbos Institute has conducted an evaluation of the Governmental Strategy and Action Plan 2010-2014 of Luxembourg regarding the fight against drugs and addictions.
This evaluation report starts with a summary, followed by chapter 2 with a short description of the objectives, the structure and the priorities of the Strategy and the Action Plan. Based on this we identified the key questions for the evaluation.
Chapter 3 describes the project methodology and activities.
In chapter 4 we present an assessment of what has been achieved in the period covered by the strategy and action plan based on a survey (questionnaires) and a face-to-face interview round among stakeholders. In Annex 4 we summarize these achievements in a balance sheet.
Chapter 5 describes the results of a SWOT analysis assessing the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the Drug Strategy and Action Plan based on the findings from the questionnaires and the face-to-face interviews with stakeholders.
Chapter 6 follows with a discussion of findings based among others on the focus group with key stakeholders.
Finally, in chapter 7 we present recommendations for the new Drug Strategy and Action Plan.

This publication can be ordered at the Unit International Affairs (ftrautmann@trimbos.nl).