AimsTo critically appraise the literature regarding the effect of Drug Consumption Facilities in reducing overdose mortalityDrug consumption facilities (DCF) are places where people can use illicit drugs in the presence of medically trained staff, they aim to reduce fatal overdose risk, reduce risky injecting practices, and to serve as a bridge for users into mainstream treatment, healthcare and social services. Increasing numbers of fatal overdoses due to illicit drug use are a significant public health concern. The UK's statutory independent advisory body (the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) has recommended DCFs as a mechanism to reduce fatal overdoses due to illicit drugs. However, current UK legislation prohibits their provision.MethodSystematic extraction of relevant literature from PubMed, using a search string with a focus on observational cohort studies with fatal overdose as the outcome. Appraisal of identified papers using the CASP toolResult184 papers were identified, two of these met the inclusion criteria. Quality was fair/good. Neither demonstrated a clear effect of DCFs in reducing overdose mortalityConclusionIt is difficult to draw firm conclusions due to design weaknesses and potential confounding variables. Robust design is difficult in this research area, due to lack of suitability for RCTs. Despite the lack of a clear effect on overdose mortality, DCFs may exert other positive effects and are a pragmatic and humane response to reducing risk in this target population
AimsTo explore mental health in-patient's perceptions and aspirations in employment and to produce a lay document on employmentMethodsEmployment is beneficial, it improves mental health and betters social integration. Different interventions exist to support mental health patients into employment. However, patients experience many obstacles, including the characteristics of their condition and stigma.Literature review was undertaken, using a search string on PubMed focusing on mental health and employment.Developed and used a 17-question questionnaire exploring patients’ perceptions and aspirations in employmentCreated lay document containing information on benefits of employment, employment rights and accessing employment.Results100% of patients interviewed were interested in employment. 90.9% believed employment would improve their mental health and 100% believed it would improve their connection to their community. 100% felt there is a stigma around mental health problems which makes finding employment harder.ConclusionThe barriers mental health patients seeking employment face are varied and complex. Most wish to seek employment, and should be encouraged, as the health benefits are clear. Professionals need to acknowledge individual barriers patients face including different mental health characteristics, ethnicity, gender and personal circumstances and find a way to create a bespoke service tailored to patients’ needs in order to secure employment.
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