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ISSUE 7 of the DRUG AND ALCOHOL FINDINGS magazine first published in 2002 is now available free of charge as downloadable PDFs (Adobe Acrobat files). Access by clicking this link: http://findings.org.uk/issuesResults.php5?issueChoice=issue+7 or the BROWSE MAGAZINE link on the home page. Most items come with an underlying fully referenced text giving substantial extra information. These are available in PDF and (to make it easier to copy and paste from) Word format. In this and succeeding messages we'll introduce you to some of the highlights from this issue. First the articles ... LESSONS FROM US ON WHAT WORKS IN TREATING CRACK USERS US drug treatment was under fire, over-stretched and facing the new challenge of crack cocaine when the huge DATOS study set out to test whether it was still delivering benefits. We extract important lessons from the hundreds of pages of reports on the study. In the words of the researchers, "Such a comprehensive and integrative commentary on this type of complex project is rare". Choose THE GRAND DESIGN: LESSONS FROM DATOS from the issue 7 listing or go direct to: http://www.findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Franey_C_1.pdf UPDATE ON BRIEF INTERVENTIONS FOR HEAVY DRINKERS Second instalment of the comprehensive review funded by Australia's health department examines brief talks to heavy drinkers identified at hospitals or in primary care. Do they work, and how can GPs and other staff be encouraged to implement them? An update on an approach now being encouraged nationally in Britain. Choose INVESTING IN ALCOHOL TREATMENT: BRIEF INTERVENTIONS from the issue 7 listing or go direct to: http://www.findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Proudfoot_H_4.pdf EXPERTS REVIEW FINDINGS ON POPULAR METHADONE ALTERNATIVE A team led by one of the most respected authorities in the world on drug-based treatments for opiate dependence assesses the evidence on buprenorphine maintenance, emerging as a safer, more convenient and, for many patients, preferable alternative to methadone. Choose THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE: BUPRENORPHINE MAINTENANCE from the issue 7 listing or go direct to: http://www.findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Ling_W_5.pdf Also in this issue: DEFEATING DTs Reminder of the groundbreaking study which established the benzodiazepines as the treatment of choice for alcohol withdrawal. http://www.findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Sellers_EM_1.pdf ************************************** Further information from [log in to unmask] or by replying to this e-mail. FINDINGS is managed by DrugScope, Alcohol Concern and the National Addiction Centre, the two leading UK drug and alcohol information charities and the UK's leading clinical/research centre. The project is supported by the J. Paul Getty Jr. Charitable Trust (http://www.jpgettytrust.org.uk) and the Pilgrim Trust (http://www.thepilgrimtrust.org.uk).