Recreational Drugs European Network (ReDNet)

Background

Over the past decade, the emergence of new recreational drug trends involving novel, and often legal, psychoactive compounds and combinations has become increasingly common. The role of the Internet and new technologies in the expansion of this new market has been crucial. In the UK, the Spice (synthetic cannabinoid) phenomenon, and the rise in popularity of mephedrone and related cathinones are specific examples.

The challenges posed by this in terms of public health and harm reduction need to be addressed. Many of these substances, which may well have long-term effects on users’ health, are not usually mentioned in scientific literature and thus remain relatively unknown to professionals working within drug and alcohol services. Moreover, there is also limited information available to young people and potential users that is both reliable and relevant.

ReDNet Project

The aim of the ReDNet project is to pilot and assess the feasibility of a number of ICT tools (e.g., SMS, Social Networking, YouTube, SecondLife) in the delivery of harm reduction information regarding new and emerging recreational drugs.

These will be targeted at young people (16-24) who are recreational drug users (especially those experimenting with new drugs) who get their information predominantly from the Internet. We will also involve professionals working directly with this group. The involvement of the target groups(s) at each stage of the project will be integral to the development of target and age appropriate content.

Project partners

The project is funded for a 2-year period by the European Commission Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC), commencing in April 2010. The main beneficiary of the project is the School of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire, UK. Many of the other partners are Prevnet members. The entire ReDNet group is:

Professor Fabrizio Schifano, School of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire, UK
Dr Paolo Deluca, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
Mr Peer van der Kreeft, De Sleutel, Belgium
Dr Lucia Di Furia, Servizio, Salute Regione Marche, Italy
Mr Arvid Skutle, Bergen Clinics Foundation, Norway
Dr Magi Farre, Consorci Mar Parc de Salut de Barcelona, Spain
Professor Norbert Scherbaum, Rhine State Hospital, University of Duisberg-Essen, Germany
Mr Harry Shapiro, Drugscope, UK
Dr Jacek Moskalewicz, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
Dr Zsolt Demetrovics, National Institute for Drug Prevention, Institute for Social Policy and Labour, Budapest, Hungary

Further information can be obtained from Dr Paolo Deluca, Senior Research Fellow in Addictive Behaviour, Section of Alcohol Research, Department of Addictions, National Addiction Centre, P048, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, 4 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8BB

Posted: 07.06.2010

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