Provision of a high standard of care in addiction treatment and prevention services is dependent upon knowledge of evidence-based practice (EBP) principles, and the skills needed to apply those principles, among the substance abuse workforce (SAW). Competency profiles for Canada’s SAW define the need for skill and knowledge of EBP. Within Canada’s SAW, persons within the Occupational Cluster Senior Management are ultimately responsible for decisions and therefore must possess a high level of proficiency in EBP. This proficiency has not been assessed in this group; the objective of this study was to conduct such an assessment on Senior Management from Nova Scotia’s Addiction Services. Eighteen Senior Managers completed semi-structured qualitative interviews. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis, five main themes emerged. It appears that Senior Management possess an understanding of the principles of EBP, but that their knowledge and use of the skills required for their application requires further development.

Résumé : La consommation problématique de substances psychoactives (SPA) représente un problème de santé pour certains hommes gais/bisexuels. Leur consommation présente des caractéristiques particulières, parfois associées à leur vécu homosexuel, et ils tardent à consulter des services en toxicomanie. Cette étude qualitative descriptive vise à : 1) décrire et comprendre les interrelations entre certaines dimensions du vécu homosexuel et les trajectoires de consommation de SPA chez les hommes gais et bisexuels; 2) documenter leur expérience quant à leur utilisation des services en toxicomanie; 3) établir des liens entre ces expériences et leur vécu homosexuel; et, 4) identifier leurs besoins en matière de services. 35 entrevues semi-dirigées ont été menées auprès d’hommes gais/bisexuels, âgés en moyenne de 46 ans, ayant une consommation problématique de SPA. L’ensemble du matériel a fait l’objet d’une analyse thématique. Les trajectoires de consommation de SPA et le vécu homosexuel s’entrecroisent au moment de la découverte et de l’acceptation des désirs homoérotiques; lors de l’expérimentation sexuelle; lors de la rencontre d’un partenaire sexuel/affectif; dans le contexte de relations sociales au sein du milieu gai. La majorité des hommes interrogés avait déjà utilisé des services en toxicomanie, mais seulement moins de la moitié d‘entre eux avait été dirigée vers un tel service. L’augmentation de la consommation surgit souvent alors que la personne éprouve de la difficulté à accepter son orientation sexuelle, lors des expérimentations sexuelles ou au moment d’un diagnostic de VIH. Cette augmentation mène parfois la personne à se questionner quant à sa consommation et à demander de l’aide auprès d’un service spécialisé. Dans certains cas, la consommation problématique n’a pas été détectée au bon moment. De plus, la sexualité n’est pas suffisamment abordée dans le cadre des services en toxicomanie. Les résultats montrent l’importance de tenir compte des différentes dimensions du vécu homosexuel, dont la sexualité, dans les stratégies de prévention de la consommation auprès de cette population, ainsi que dans les thérapies pour la toxicomanie. De plus, la détection de la consommation problématique au sein de cette population représente un défi. / Abstract : The problematic consumption of psychoactive substances (PAS) constitutes a health problem for certain gay/bisexual men. Their consumption has particular characteristics sometimes associated to their homosexual experience and their delay to consult addiction services. The present qualitative descriptive study, inscribed in symbolic interactionist perspective, aims to: 1) describe and understand the interrelations between certain dimensions of the gay life course experience and the consumption trajectories of PAS among gay and bisexual men; 2) document their experience in relation to their use of addiction services; 3) establish links between their experiences and their gay life course experience; and, 4) identify their needs in matter of services. Thirty five semi-structured interviews were conducted with gay/bisexual men, who have a problematic consumption of PAS and have an average age of 46 years. The whole material has been analysed thematically. The addiction trajectories and the homosexual experience intersect at the time of the discovery and acceptance of homoerotic desires, during sexual experimentation; when finding a sexual/emotional partner; and as part of the socialization in the gay community, particularly in sexualized spaces. Most participants have used substance abuse services but only about half of them have received a reference to such services. The increase in consumption often emerges when they have problems accepting their sexual orientation, during sexual experimentation or when they receive an HIV diagnosis. The increase of consumption associated to these life events sometimes leads the participants to question their consumption and to demand help from a specialized service. For certain participants their consumption has not been detected in a good moment. Moreover, sexuality is not addressed in the addiction services. The results show the relevance of considering the different dimensions of the homosexual experience, including sexuality, in the prevention strategies for consumption as well as in the addiction therapies for this population. In addition, the detection of problematic consumption in this population represents a challenge.

OF THE THESIS Name: Bc. Eliška Vavrušová, DiS. Specialization: Addictology Head of the thesis: Mgr. Hana Fidesová PhD. Opponent: Pages: 88 The name of the thesis: POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF WORKING WITH DRUG USERS CUSTUDY AND PRISON Abstract: Background: Penitentiary care of drug users is still under-discussed topic, however that many drug users has experience with to be in prison and often it is just one part during the period of drug use when the user has time to stop and think about their current and future life. Objective: The aim of this thesis was to find what is offered for interventions and care services to drug users in the penitentiary care and then verify if they meet the specific individual needs of respondents. Methods: The theoretical part uses document analysis. In the practical part is used qualitative research - analysis of needs. This analysis was conducted in the form a semistructured interview. Participants: The research sample consisted of 37 respondents (men). Respondents were clients of the center of drug services in prison Laxus o. s., currently located in prison Jičice or Stráž pod Ralskem. Results: The results show the importance of cooperation between NGOs and employees of the Prison Service. The workers in prison are those who most disseminate information on...

No description available.

The Master Thesis, which is called Managerial competence in social and health services focused on drug addicted clients is formed by two sections. The main goal is "Ideal manager of services fufused on drug addicted clients". The theoretical part is concerned on drug addiction, services in Czech republic, especially in Prague, social and health care and competence, which are join in it. In these chapters are described some definitions and goals. The practical part is based on quantitative research for managers. These managers were asked about their opinion and some hard data about manual and competences about thein organization. There are some recomandation and plan of ideal manager fot these services in the conclusion. Key Words Drug addiction, services focused on drug addicted clients, social work, health care, personality.

Queer-identified women in Canada and elsewhere are underserved as a community with regard to the provision of support for drug use related problems. In order to provide much needed inclusive support services, researchers, policy makers and treatment providers must recognize and act on the interface of oppression with substance use in populations of queer women. The homophobia and heterosexism endemic to our society is an issue that necessitates the exploration, development, and inclusion of responsive policies and services for queer women who seek - or desire to seek - support for problematic substance use. This research study explores the support needs of queer-identified women who experience difficulties as a result of drug use. Through qualitative, interview-based research, my inquiry examines responses to the question: What are the support needs of women who are impacted by the confluence of heteronormativity and problematic drug use? Data are derived from nine, semi-structured in-depth interviews with women in the Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland areas of British Columbia. The methodological framework incorporates a critical feminist approach. A thematic analysis technique was utilized to analyse the interviews, with data categorized into three primary themes of discrimination, resistance, and support. Findings indicate that queer women require distinct support services for problematic substance use issues in an effort to redress systemic heteronormativity.