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<title>All Ireland electronic Health Library - latest resources</title>
<description>The All-Ireland electronic Health Library (AIeHL) is a network of interoperable websites across the island of Ireland.  It contains knowledge resources related to health and social well-being from the so-called "grey literature".</description>
<link>http://www.aiehl.ie/</link>


<item><title><![CDATA[Finance & Evaluation Training]]></title><link>http://www.cdhn.org/bcpp/news/viewdetails.asp?newsID=63</link><description><![CDATA[...]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Factors predicting completion in a cohort of opiate users entering a detoxification programme.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12940</link><description><![CDATA[AIM: To determine the outcome and factors influencing outcome among a cohort of drug users commencing detoxification from opiate use.  METHODS: National cohort study of randomly selected opiate users commencing methadone detoxification treatment in 1999, 2001 and 2003 (n = 327).  RESULTS: One quarter 62 (25.6%) of opiate users had a successful detoxification within the 3-month study criteria. Receiving some inpatient treatment as part of detoxification programme resulted in completion by 56.3% drug users compared to outpatient only treatment (21%). The factors independently influencing detoxification are as follows: having some inpatient treatment AOR 5.9 (2.63-13.64) and never having injected AOR 2.25 (1.20-4.25). An additional 31 (9%) opiate users had a detoxification between 3 months and 1 year and 27 (8%) moved into methadone maintenance.  CONCLUSIONS: This study finds that having some inpatient treatment increases the likelihood of a detoxification within 3 months. Offering a detoxification early in a drug using career pre-injecting drug use should be considered for suitable and motivated patients.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Heroin blamed for rise in city crime figures]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12935</link><description><![CDATA[Heroin use has been blamed for a rise in street-level and petty crime in Cork, despite an overall reduction in crime figures. Four hefty sentences handed down by the courts to heroin dealers in recent weeks should send out a very strong warning, the division’s top garda said. Chief Superintendent Michael Finn welcomed the 14-year sentence, two 10-year sentences, and a seven-year sentence, while addressing the Cork City Joint Policing Committee.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Navy cuts 'will not affect' war on drugs importer]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12938</link><description><![CDATA[A major reduction in the number of patrolling days available to the Irish Naval Service will not have an impact on the success of criminals importing drugs, the Department of Defence has insisted. The number of "patrol days" available this year is set to decline to just 1,480 from a high of 1,681 in 2005, a fall of almost 12%. However, the department has said that because drug interdiction is "intelligence" based, the amount of patrols taking place should not have a significant effect on the battle to intercept drugs en route to Ireland.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Young drug users wait months for help]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12939</link><description><![CDATA[A service dealing with young drug users has said addicts are having to wait up to two months for an assessment due to staff shortages. People looking to access the SASSY (Substance Abuse Services Specific to Youth) project in north inner city Dublin on average wait up to between six and eight weeks for an assessment, as the service struggles to deal with demand. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at SASSY, Dr Gerry McCarney, said the service dealt with 103 referrals last year and 73 clients, an increase on the figure for 2008.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding illicit drug markets, supply reduction efforts, and drug-related crime in the European Union.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12937</link><description><![CDATA[.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Head shops should be regulated just like your local off-licence]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12936</link><description><![CDATA[I wouldn't dream of ingesting any of the muck they sell in head shops, but 20 years ago I might have been tempted. Once, when younger and without fear (or real understanding) of the consequences of alcohol and drugs, as is the way with many young people, the availability of such things, without breaking any laws, might have proved attractive to me. The highly visible presence of shops on main streets that sell chemically-prepared mimics of illegal narcotics confers a degree of legitimacy on the trade itself and the subsequent use of the compounds.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Head shop ban 'not feasible']]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12932</link><description><![CDATA[Options being considered by the Office of the Minister with responsibility for Drugs to deal with the spread of head shops, amidst growing suspected vigilante attacks against the shops, may not be feasible, IMN has learned. Minister John Curran’s office have confirmed he has requested counterparts in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) to consider halting the spread of head shops under planning laws, e.g. development plans, planning applications, change in use stipulations and other controls; and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) in relation to public liability insurance coverage, product liability insurance and consumer protection.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Opposition fears loopholes for 'legal highs']]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12933</link><description><![CDATA[The government's decision to ban several substances sold in head shops does not go far enough and will fail to halt the trade in so-called "legal highs", Opposition parties have warned. The ban, which comes into effect in June, applies to a range of herbal and synthetic substances sold commonly as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, Magic, Liquid Ecstasy, BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone. While the move was broadly welcomed by healthcare professionals yesterday, Fine Gael and Labour claimed the shops would find legal loopholes to sell alternative products, and further regulations were needed to control the trade.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Head shop ‘legal highs’ to be banned from June]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12934</link><description><![CDATA[Legal alternatives to drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy will no longer be sold in head shops from June onwards, the Government confirmed yesterday. Drugs Minister John Curran said products such as Snow Blow, White Ice, Magic, Liquid Ecstasy, Spice, Charge+ and BZP derivatives will be banned following the implementation of new legislation. The crackdown could also result in new planning laws obliging head shops to apply for planning permission, as off-licences must do, and from which they are currently exempt. The measures come after a storm of criticism levelled at head shops around the country and recent arson attacks against some stores. The growing number of shops opening in smaller towns around the country has also led to a number of protests outside the premises.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Health and Children statement in relation to legislation to be made under Misuse of Drugs Act 1977]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12931</link><description><![CDATA[The Government agreed at its meeting on 2 March 2010 to the commencement of a notification process under Directive 98/34/EC (the “Technical Standards” Directive) as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of the Government’s intention to make a Declaration Order under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 declaring certain substances, products and preparations to be controlled drugs for the purposes of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984. The substances concerned include a range of products sold in so-called ‘head shops’ including:     * synthetic cannabinoids (SPICE products)     * benzylpiperazine (BZP) derivatives     * mephedrone, methylone and related cathinones     * GBL and 1,4 BD In addition, the Declaration Order to be made under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 will include Ketamine and Tapentadol which are substances that have legitimate uses as medicines but which can be subject to misuse. The Declaration Order will also cover certain narcotic and psychotropic substances which Ireland is obliged to bring under control in order to comply with the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Some of the substances sold in head shops and which are to be controlled have legitimate uses in the pharmaceutical and chemicals industries e.g. two of the BZP derivatives are used to manufacture authorised medicines and GBL and 1,4 BD are widely used in the manufacture of plastics and as industrial solvents. However, during the three month EU notification period, consultations will take place with relevant Government Departments/ Agencies and with industry to determine how the substances can be properly controlled without placing inappropriate restrictions on their legitimate use.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIV prevention, treatment, and care services for people who inject drugs: a systematic review of global, regional, and national coverage.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12928</link><description><![CDATA[Background: Previous reviews have examined the existence of HIV prevention, treatment, and care services for injecting drug users (IDUs) worldwide, but they did not quantify the scale of coverage. We undertook a systematic review to estimate national, regional, and global coverage of HIV services in IDUs. Methods: We did a systematic search of peer-reviewed (Medline, BioMed Central), internet, and grey-literature databases for data published in 2004 or later. A multistage process of data requests and verification was undertaken, involving UN agencies and national experts. National data were obtained for the extent of provision of the following core interventions for IDUs: needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), opioid substitution therapy (OST) and other drug treatment, HIV testing and counselling, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and condom programmes. We calculated national, regional, and global coverage of NSPs, OST, and ART on the basis of available estimates of IDU population sizes. Findings: By 2009, NSPs had been implemented in 82 countries and OST in 70 countries; both interventions were available in 66 countries. Regional and national coverage varied substantially. Australasia (202 needle—syringes per IDU per year) had by far the greatest rate of needle—syringe distribution; Latin America and the Caribbean (0·3 needle—syringes per IDU per year), Middle East and north Africa (0·5 needle—syringes per IDU per year), and sub-Saharan Africa (0·1 needle—syringes per IDU per year) had the lowest rates. OST coverage varied from less than or equal to one recipient per 100 IDUs in central Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa, to very high levels in western Europe (61 recipients per 100 IDUs). The number of IDUs receiving ART varied from less than one per 100 HIV-positive IDUs (Chile, Kenya, Pakistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan) to more than 100 per 100 HIV-positive IDUs in six European countries. Worldwide, an estimated two needle—syringes (range 1—4) were distributed per IDU per month, there were eight recipients (6—12) of OST per 100 IDUs, and four IDUs (range 2—18) received ART per 100 HIV-positive IDUs. Interpretation: Worldwide coverage of HIV prevention, treatment, and care services in IDU populations is very low. There is an urgent need to improve coverage of these services in this at-risk population. (c) The Lancet]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Head shop 'legal highs' to be outlawed]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12929</link><description><![CDATA[THE Government is drawing up laws to ban "legal high" products on sale in head shops throughout the country. The laws, to come into effect in June under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, will also make the possession of proscribed head shop products an offence, but not all head shop "legal high" goods are being blacklisted. A spokesperson for Health Minister Mary Harney said the Government was acting as quickly as possible but had to allow three months’ notice, under the European Technical Standards Directive, for EU approval before the new legislation comes into effect. The substances that are to be banned, for sale or possession, include synthetic cannabinoids or so-called "spice" products. Other head shop chemicals which are soon to be outlawed include BZP derivatives, mephedrone, methylone and related cathinones, kettamine, GBL and 1,4BD, tapentadol. Chemical products known to have narcotic and psychotic properties, sold as ’magic’, ‘snow’, ‘blow’ and BZP ‘liquid ecstasy’, are also being black-listed.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Head shops face ban on sale of some substances]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12930</link><description><![CDATA[THE cabinet decided yesterday to ban a range of substances sold in head shops. The ban will come into effect in June as a three-month notice period is legally required to implement it. In a statement last night, the Government said that it had taken the decision due to public concern at the sale of so-called “legal highs” in head shops. “The Government is very concerned about the real damage to people’s mental and physical health by the consumption of substances sold in head shops,” the statement read.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mindwise, Banbridge]]></title><link>http://www.cdhn.org/bcpp/projects/viewdetails.asp?projectID=292</link><description><![CDATA[Working in partnership with the pharmacist to develop a service by organising a scheme that aims to promote and improve the health needs of our service-users, the majority of whom are elderly, and focus on the issues that impact on them. ...]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Immunisation guidelines for Ireland, 2008 edition (with updated corrections and amendments, December 2009).]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12920</link><description><![CDATA[.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ireland: towards an integrated public service. Executive summary.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12923</link><description><![CDATA[As with many other OECD countries that have embarked on significant public service transformation programmes, the focus of the reform efforts to date in Ireland has tended, with some exceptions, to be inward oriented, focusing on improving internal processes and structures. Initiatives, in line with those undertaken in many OECD countries, have focused on a broad range of internal processes to build capacity at individual and organisational levels, improve service delivery, develop organisational and individual performance management, establish governance procedures, create greater transparency, improve consultation and increase the use of evidence-based policy making. These changes were not only significant, but necessary and the OECD recognises the value of the reforms made, particularly since the development of the Strategic Management Initiative and the publication of Delivering Better Government in the mid 1990s. While the full benefit of some of the more recent reforms, such as the production of departments’ Annual Output Statements linking annual targets to annual expenditure allocations, have yet to be fully realised, broadly speaking Ireland is on a sound trajectory of modernisation. And it can further improve the yield from reforms by renewing focus on their pace and sequencing in order to make them more mutually reinforcing. Table of contents •	Executive Summary •	Chapter 1. Main Assessments and Recommendations •	Chapter 2. Fiscal and Demographic Developments •	Chapter 3. The Irish Public Service •	Chapter 4. Ensuring Capacity •	Chapter 5. Motivating Performance •	Chapter 6. Moving Toward a Citizen-centred Approach •	Chapter 7. Strengthening Governance •	Case Study 1. Reconfiguration of Hospital Services •	Case Study 2. Managing Agencies •	Case Study 3. Local Waste Management in Ireland •	Case Study 4. School Planning in the Educational Sector •	Bibliography •	Annex A. Methodology •	Annex B. Consultation]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creating effective teaching and learning environments: first results from TALIS. Summary in English.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12924</link><description><![CDATA[OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) provides the first internationally comparative perspective on the conditions of teaching and learning. With a focus on lower secondary education in both the public and private sectors, TALIS examines important aspects of professional development; teacher beliefs, attitudes and practices; teacher appraisal and feedback; and school leadership in the 23 participating countries.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Poisons Information Centre of Ireland annual report 2007.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12925</link><description><![CDATA[The Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) provides a national information service to doctors and other healthcare professionals on the toxicity, features and management of poisoning. The service has never been promoted to the general public but some advice is given to members of the public who phone us e.g. advice on the need for immediate medical attention.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA['New' and 'old' risks: life cycle and social class perspectives on social exclusion in Ireland'.]]></title><link>http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12926</link><description><![CDATA[The life cycle concept has come to have considerable prominence in Irish social policy debate. However, this has occurred without any systematic effort to link its usage to the broader literature relating to the concept. Nor has there been any detailed consideration of how we should set about operationalising the concept. In this paper we argue the need for “macro” life cycle perspectives that have been influenced by recent challenges to the welfare state to be combined with “micro” perspectives focusing on the dynamic and multidimensional nature of social exclusion. We make use of Irish EU-SILC 2005 data in developing a life cycle schema and considering its relationship to a range of indicators of social exclusion.  At the European level renewed interest in the life cycle concept is associated with the increasing emphasis on the distinction between “new” and “old” social risks and the notion that the former are more “individualised”. Inequality and poverty rather than being differentially distributed between social classes are thought to vary between phases in the average work life. Our findings suggest the “death of social class” thesis is greatly overblown. A more accurate appreciation of the importance of new and old social risks requires that we systematically investigate the manner in which factors such as social class and the life cycle interact.]]></description></item>
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