Connecting Research, Policy, and Prevention: Key Insights into Adolescent Substance Use from ESPAD and MedSPAD Projects

ISSUP Italy presents its webinar on Connecting Research, Policy, and Prevention: Key Insights into Adolescent Substance Use from ESPAD and MedSPAD Projects.

Date: 12th December 2024

Time: 2:00 PM CEST | 1:00 PM London

Register for the Webinar

The webinar will offer an in-depth exploration of substance use and risk behaviours among adolescents across Europe and in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions. Using data from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) and the Mediterranean School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (MedSPAD)—led by the event's expert speakers—participants will gain unique insights into patterns of substance use, gambling, gaming, and social media trends in over 50 countries. 

The session will cover the methodologies behind these surveys, emphasising the robust scientific value of the ESPAD and MedSPAD studies.  

Attendees will receive a detailed analysis of the latest findings, with a focus on geographic variations and regional differences. New insights from the Italian school survey conducted by Italian National Research Council will be presented to highlight recent shifts and emerging trends that may shape future prevention efforts in Europe. 

In the final segment, the webinar will delve into stakeholders' perspectives on leveraging school survey data for effective prevention. We will address current challenges and discuss potential strategies to optimise data use for evidence-based policymaking. This discussion will be grounded in the outcomes of the recent ESPAD-MedSPAD Bridge Project, aimed at investigating the role of school surveys in policy development and preventive planning. 

Finally, attendees will be guided through exploring the new ESPAD data portal—the first online platform providing public access to over 20 years of ESPAD data. Participants will learn how to effectively utilise this free resource to enhance their daily professional activities and research.

Target Audience:

The webinar may be particularly relevant for the following professional roles: 

• Social workers and prevention professionals 

• Educators and teachers 

• Researchers and academics in prevention and social sciences 

• Psychologists and psychotherapists 

• Physicians and pediatricians 

• Policymakers and public officials involved in public health 

• Members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and volunteer associations 

• Managers in health institutions and organizations 

• Students and graduates in psychology, sociology, education, and health sciences 

Learning Outcomes:

Following this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Understand key trends: Gain a comprehensive understanding of substance use and risk behaviours among adolescents across Europe and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions, informed by recent findings from the ESPAD and MedSPAD surveys. 

2. Analyse methodologies: Learn about the methodologies employed in the ESPAD and MedSPAD projects, enhancing their ability to critically evaluate survey data and its implications for adolescent health. 

3. Explore geographic variations: Examine the geographic and regional differences in substance use patterns, including gambling, gaming, and social media engagement, to better appreciate the context of adolescent behaviours in diverse settings. 

4. Identify emerging trends: Discover new insights from the Italian school survey conducted by CNR, focusing on recent shifts and emerging trends in substance use that could inform future prevention strategies. 

5. Leverage data for prevention: Engage in discussions about how stakeholders can effectively use school survey data for evidence-based policymaking, addressing current challenges and strategies for optimising data use in preventive efforts. 

6. Enhance policy development: Explore the outcomes of the ESPAD-MedSPAD Bridge Project, emphasising the enhanced role of school surveys in shaping policy development and preventive planning efforts aimed at reducing substance use among adolescents. 

Through these learning outcomes, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to contribute to effective prevention strategies and policymaking in their respective regions. 

Presenters:

Sabrina Molinaro

Dr. Molinaro, Psy D, PhD, is Research Director, head of the Laboratory of Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Physiology - National Research Council.  Dr. Molinaro’s formal training includes Psychology and Clinical Psychology, an MS in Epidemiology and a PhD in Public Health and Education. Since 2001 she has been designing, activating and coordinating epidemiological studies/researches on general and specific populations, focusing on hidden populations. Dr. Molinaro is the Coordinator of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), the biggest research project on substance use among adolescents in Europe and scientific consultant for the Council of Europe for the conduction of the Mediterranean School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (MedSPAD). 

Elisa Benedetti 

Dr. Benedetti,  PhD, is Researcher at the Laboratory of Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Physiology - National Research Council. Dr. Benedetti’s formal training includes Political Science and International Relations and a PhD in Economics. Her research focuses on monitoring of substance use and addictive behaviours in the general and student populations, as well as evaluation of the impact of policies on supply and demand for addictive goods in drug and gambling markets. She is the project manager of ESPAD and scientific advisor to the Council of Europe for the coordination of the MedSPAD project.

Moderators:

Giovanna Garofalo

Director of the National Chapter ISSUP-Italy, hosted by Casa Rosetta Association.

Pietro Cipolla

Board Member of Casa Rosetta Association, and ISSUP-Italy team coordinator of the Casa Rosetta International Projects.

References:

• ESPAD Group (2020), ESPAD Report 2019: Results from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, EMCDDA Joint Publications, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg: http://www.espad.org/sites/espad.org/files/2020.3878_EN_04.pdf 

• ESPAD Data Portal: https://data.espad.org/ 

• Benedetti, E., Cotichini, R., Molinaro, S. (2022), Fourth MedSPAD Regional Report: Adolescent Substance Use and Risk Behaviours in the Mediterranean Region, Publications Office of the Council of Europe: 

• https://rm.coe.int/adolescent-substance-use-and-risk-behaviours-in-the-mediterrannean-reg/1680a941f3 

• Benedetti, E., Cotichini, R., Molinaro, S. (2023), The Use of School Surveys in Policy and Prevention Planning and Evaluation: Results of the 2022 ESPAD - MedSPAD bridge project: https://rm.coe.int/medspad-bridge-electronic-en/1680ab1f7e 

Webinars and online events delivered and hosted by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) are provided for informational purposes only. They are educational in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.