WHO Technical brief on ATS No.4 - Therapeutic interventions for users of amphetamine-type stimulants

These Technical Briefs on Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) were produced by the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific as a joint activity of the HIV/AIDS and STI and Mental Health and Injury Prevention Units. These were prepared in response to a demand by Member States and civil society for a tool to guide the response to the worldwide availability and use of ATS. The growing use of ATS is associated with the spread of HIV and hepatitis in diverse segments of the population, largely due to an increase in risk-taking behaviour and unsafe sex practices among users. The rising trend in injecting use of ATS is a further cause for concern. These briefs are a compilation of the most recent evidence on ATS use.

The interventions described in this brief adhere to internationally accepted principles of drug treatment, are evidence based and reflect a public health perspective. These are alternatives proposed to the predominantly law-enforcement approaches to ATS use currently common in the Asia–Pacific region. Medical interventions for the treatment of physical and mental health problems are described, as well as psychosocial treatment approaches including community-based interventions.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.