Best practice portal – evidence database

This database gives you access to the latest evidence on drug-related interventions. The information is based on systematic searches is updated regularly. To get started use the search boxes below. Click here for more information about the Evidence database (including methods).

List of Evidence Summaries
Title Area Substance Target group(s) or setting(s) Evidence rating
Multicomponent programmes combining community mobilisation, Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training, house policies and stricter enforcement of licensing laws to reduce accidents and alcohol consumption Prevention alcohol communities, partygoers/nightlife Beneficial
Contingency management to reduce stimulant use Treatment amphetamines, cocaine Beneficial
Buprenorphine substitution to retain patients in treatment Treatment opioids Beneficial
Family and school based programmes to prevent smoking Prevention tobacco families, school Beneficial
Combined opioid substitution treatment (OST) and needle and syringe programmes (NSP) to prevent HCV (and HIV) infection and reduce injecting risk behaviours Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
School-based multicomponent positive psychology interventions on well-being and distress Prevention not-drug specific school Beneficial
Take-home naloxone (THN) to improve knowledge and attitude towards opioid overdose Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Needle and syringe programmes to prevent HCV and HIV infection and reduce injecting risk behaviours Harm reduction amphetamines, opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Opioid substitution therapy to reduce deaths in prison Harm reduction opioids prison Beneficial
Buprenorphine vs methadone substitution to retain patients in treatment Treatment opioids Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (with methadone) in prison to increase post-incarceration community treatment engagement Treatment opioids prison Beneficial
Permanent supportive housing to improve housing stability for vulnerably housed persons Social reintegration not-drug specific Beneficial
Take-home naloxone (THN) economic evaluation Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Continuity of opioid substitution treatment (OST) from prison to community to reduce post-release mortality Harm reduction opioids prison Beneficial
Psychosocial interventions involving information, education, counselling and/or skills training (IECS) to reduce injecting risk behaviours Harm reduction amphetamines, opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Buprenorphine vs methadone for opioid assisted withdrawal Treatment opioids Beneficial
Administration of naloxone to prevent opioid overdose (intranasal/intramuscular) Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
HBV, HCV and HIV testing upon admission in prison to reduce transmission Harm reduction not-drug specific prison Beneficial
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) interventions to improve employment outcomes Social reintegration not-drug specific Beneficial
Methadone substitution treatment vs opioid withdrawal to retain patients in treatment and reduce use Treatment opioids Beneficial
Take-home naloxone (THN) to prevent opioid overdose mortality Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (with methadone) in prison to reduce post-release illicit opioid use Treatment opioids prison Beneficial
Health promotion and peer-education to increase blood borne viruses testing uptake in prison Harm reduction not-drug specific prison Beneficial
Heroin maintenance treatment (HAT) to reduce criminal activity Treatment opioids Beneficial
Psychosocial interventions with substitution treatment to reduce use and mortality Treatment opioids Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (with methadone) in prison to reduce post-release injection drug use Treatment opioids prison Beneficial
Comprehensive community-based programmes targeting high-risk youth Prevention alcohol, not-drug specific, cannabis, tobacco communities, school, young people Beneficial
Training for alcohol servers and owners/managers to reduce night-time traffic accidents Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (OST) to reduce injecting risk behaviours in prison Harm reduction opioids prison Beneficial
Provision of HBV vaccination in prison to reduce transmission Harm reduction not-drug specific prison Beneficial
Cost-effectiveness of opioid substitution treatment (OST) Treatment opioids Beneficial
Life skill and social influence–based interventions for alcohol use Prevention alcohol school Beneficial
Psychosocial interventions with pharmacological assistance for opioid withdrawal Treatment opioids Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (OST) to prevent HCV and HIV infection and reduce injecting risk behaviours Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Ecological family-based treatments to reduce adolescent substance use Treatment alcohol, cannabis families, young people Beneficial
Mentoring for preventing alcohol use in young people Prevention alcohol communities, young people Beneficial
Promotion of sensible alcohol consumption to reduce traffic accident Prevention alcohol partygoers/nightlife Beneficial
Provision of HBV, HCV and HIV treatment in prison to reduce transmission Treatment not-drug specific prison Beneficial
Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) on retention in treatment and to reduce use Treatment cannabis families, young people Beneficial
Needle and syringe programmes (NSP) to reduce HIV transmission Harm reduction amphetamines, opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Life skill and social influence–based interventions to reduce cannabis use Prevention cannabis school Beneficial
Combined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy to improve treatment outcomes Treatment not-drug specific Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (OST) for opiate dependent pregnant women for treatment and obstetrical outcomes Treatment opioids women Beneficial
Digital interventions to increase accessibility to substance use programmes Prevention cannabis Beneficial
Street-level drug policing to reduce drug offences and drug-related calls for service Prevention not-drug specific communities, law enforcement Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (OST) to reduce mortality, morbidity, and substance use in homeless and vulnerably housed persons Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Digital interventions to reduce cannabis use Treatment cannabis Beneficial
Opioid substitution treatment (OST) to reduce HIV and risk behaviour Harm reduction opioids PWID – people who inject drugs Beneficial
Life skill and social influence–based interventions to reduce any drug use Prevention not-drug specific school Beneficial
Substitution agonist treatments for opiate dependent pregnant women over assisted withdrawal Treatment opioids women Beneficial
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