Drug-related infectious diseases (DRID) expert meeting

The meeting provides a space for sharing and discussing new studies, new findings and experiences at regional, national and European level. It also aims to facilitate technical work around the collection and analysis of the different components of this key epidemiological indicator: prevalence of infections among drug users, surveillance data and behavioural data. The overall purpose of this event is to reinforce and improve the completeness, robustness and utility of the information collected and analysed in order to inform policy decisions and developments in the field. The DRID expert meeting focuses on the following topics: outbreaks, incidents and emerging risks, regional assessment of HIV risk and responses; and follow-up of the assessment of the implementation of the DRID Key indicator.

EMCDDA/ECDC Hepatitis week

This year, back to back with the DRID meeting, EMCDDA also hosted the 4th meeting of the ECDC hepatitis B and C network, on 12-14 June 2017. A joint day on 14 June gave the networks an opportunity to share expertise and experience, and in particular to discuss how Europe can improve its surveillance of and response to hepatitis among people who inject drugs, and how the networks can contribute to monitor the progresses towards the targets for elimination set out by WHO. In addition, experts discussed practical evidence-based strategies, shared examples of good practices and identified solutions to common challenges.