A better understanding of the complex science of ‘addiction’ can improve responses to drug problems. This report contains a critical review of existing addiction theories and explores how these can be organised into an overarching structure to inform how we assess, prevent and treat addictive behaviours. This model is not limited to illicit drugs, but can also be applied to alcohol, tobacco and even non-pharmacological addictions, such as gambling or compulsive use of the Internet.

 delivers the message that understanding the biological basis of addiction, along with the broader social and psychological aspects of addictive behaviour, can lead to successful prevention and treatment responses.

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Models of addiction in Europe

This study represents the most comprehensive assessment of Global Fund investments in harm reduction. This funding, while substantial, falls short of the estimated needs. Investments in harm reduction must increase if HIV transmission among people who inject drugs is to be halved by 2015.

Read here the full publication (restricted access)

Global Fund investments in harm reduction from 2002 to 2009

At the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, the presidents of the hemisphere’s 34 countries acknowledged the multidimensional nature of the drug phenomenon and the challenges it poses. Aware of the increasingly intense debate on the topic and the growing sense that there is a need to reform current policies and explore other alternatives, the heads of state and government said they had begun an “

invaluable discussion on the global drug problem [and had agreed] on the need to analyze the results of the current policy in the Americas and to explore new approaches to strengthen this struggle and to become more effective.”

 They issued the OAS a mandate to that end.

Report on the Drug Problem in the Americas

 is the tool for compliance with that agreement and mandate. Consisting of two different but complementary sections, the report includes a broad technical study of drug 

consumption, production, transit, commerce 

in the hemisphere, and examines the public policies adopted to address the problems of public health, illegality and violence it causes, as well as its social and political impact on society. The study’s conclusions are called the 

The scenarios, presented as a series of narratives with a time frame from 2013 to 2025, illustrate the possible outcomes of four different policy approaches which, although not mutually exclusive, emphasize different areas, such as 

of the international drug control system, reconstruction of the 

Publications

Models of addiction in Europe

Global Fund investments in harm reduction from 2002 to 2009

The drugs problem in the Americas – An analysis of the OAS report