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ISSUE 8 of the DRUG AND ALCOHOL FINDINGS magazine first published in 2003 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+8 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 ... CAN NEEDLE EXCHANGES MATCH UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF HEPATITIS C? First part of a major series analysing whether needle exchanges can counter arguably the greatest threat now facing drug injectors in Britain - the hepatitis C epidemic and the liver disease it brings in its wake. This part establishes the size of the challenge: hepatitis C has already infected a substantial minority of injectors and is spreading rapidly due to continued risk behaviour allied with the robustness, infectivity and prevalence of the virus. Choose HEPATITIS C AND NEEDLE EXCHANGE PART 1 from the issue 8 listing or go direct to: http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Ashton_M_15.pdf NEW DRUGS AND NEW WAYS OF USING THEM PROMISE TO EASE THE WAY TO RECOVERY FOR ALCOHOLICS A trio of US experts led by Hugh Myrick guide you through the pharmaceuticals making the headlines in the management of alcohol withdrawal and anti-relapse therapy. Naltrexone and acamprosate top the list. Choose INTERESTING TIMES IN THE PHARMACOTHERAPY OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE from the issue 8 listing or go direct to: http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Myrick_H_4.pdf FLAWS OVERLOOKED IN SEARCH FOR PREVENTION 'MAGIC BULLET' The Midwestern Prevention Project gained pride of place in US guides, received accolades from experts, and was the original model for the English national drug education trial, yet the evidence for this US school-community programme was seriously flawed. Choose THE AMERICAN STAR COMES TO ENGLAND from the issue 8 listing or go direct to: http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Ashton_M_21.pdf ENGLISH TEAM DEVISES SCIENTIFICALLY BASED OUTCOME MONITORING SYSTEM The principles behind this treatment monitoring system developed in Leeds remain relevant: grounded in a theory of addiction, it can accommodate the shifting priorities of politicians or commissioners without threatening its scientific integrity. Choose MUCH MORE THAN OUTCOMES from the issue 8 listing or go direct to: http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Raistrick_D_8.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).