title: Promoting innovation and excellence to face the rapid diffusion of novel psychoactive substances in the EU: the outcomes of the ReDNet project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The recent emergence of new psychoactive compounds (novel psychoactive substances (NPS)) has raised prominent challenges in the fields of drug policy, substance use research, public health and service provision. The Recreational Drugs European Network project, funded by the European Commission, was implemented to improve the information stream to young people and professionals about effects/risks of NPS by identifying online products and disseminating relevant information through technological tools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regular multilingual qualitative assessments of websites, drugs fora and other online resources were carried out using the Google search engine in eight languages from collaborating countries. These included the following: the UK, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Italy and Spain. Products were tested and prevention messages were developed and disseminated via technological tools such as interactive websites, SMS alert, social networking (Facebook, Twitter), Multimedia (You Tube), Smartphone applications (iPhone) and virtual learning environments (Second Life).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Recreational Drugs European Network project established itself as the first Europe-wide prevention programme designed for NPS based on the efficacy of novel information and communication technology-based forms of intervention. More than 650 NPS products and combinations were identified; relevant information was disseminated to target population and advice was given to both European Union/international agencies and national policy makers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Web-monitoring activities are essential for mapping the diffusion of NPS and the use of technological tools can be successfully incorporated in specific prevention programmes. Furthermore, the involvement of multi-disciplinary international partnerships was and continues to be fundamental for responding to such a prominent challenge.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK. o.corazza@herts.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Corazza
authors.forename: Sulaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assi
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simonato
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corkery
authors.forename: Francesco Saverio
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Demetrovics
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stair
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fergus
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pezzolesi
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pasinetti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deluca
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Blaszko
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moskalewicz
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mervo
authors.forename: Lucia Di
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Furia
authors.forename: Maggi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farre
authors.forename: Liv
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flesland
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisarska
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Siemann
authors.forename: Arvid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skutle
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sferrazza
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torrens
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sambola
authors.forename: Peer
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van der Kreeft
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scherbaum
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schifano
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000592:standards; D005062:European Union / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D007391:International Cooperation; D038622:Internationality; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D019303:Multilingualism; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: addiction; new psychoactive compounds; public health