Review of European-Drug Emergencies Network (Euro-DEN) training package for non-specialist workers to assess acute recreational drug and new psychoactive substance toxicity in night-time economy environments

Abstract

Aims: The initial management of acute recreational drug and new psychoactive substance (NPS) toxicity is often by non-specialists working in the night-time economy. The aim was as part of the European Drug Emergencies Network (Euro-DEN) project to pilot training of these workers in multiple European countries. Methods: Following evaluation of training needs, guidelines and training package were developed. Night-time economy workers in London, UK; Pärnu/Tallinn, Estonia; and Oslo, Norway participated in a 1- to 2-h interactive case-based training session. Participants completed a questionnaire pre-/post-training to assess confidence in managing acute recreational drug/NPS toxicity and evaluate the training package/guidelines. Findings: 98 (London: 42; Oslo: 39; Pärnu/Tallinn: 17) completed both pre-/post-training questionnaires. Participants felt significantly more confident in managing someone unwell following classical recreational drug use compared to NPS (5.6 ± 2.9 vs. 4.3 ± 2.7, p < 0.001); this difference persisted after the training (7.6 ± 1.9 vs. 6.9 ± 2.0, p < 0.001). 147 (London: 42; Oslo: 88; Pärnu/Tallinn: 17) completed the post-training evaluation; the training session and the guidelines were rated 8.2 ± 1.4 and 8.7 ± 1.7, respectively (out of 10). Conclusions: The guidelines and training were well received by night-time economy workers in three European countries and improved confidence in managing acute recreational drug/NPS toxicity. Appropriate national and European bodies need to look at wider dissemination of this work.

• Acute toxicity
• emergency department
• guidelines
• novel psychoactive substances
• recreational drugs
• training

Declaration of interest

The following authors of this paper all have funding through from the European Commission through the Euro-DEN project: D.M.W., F.H., C.Y., A.D., K.E.H. and P.I.D.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the DPIP/ISEC Programme of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Dr David Wood and Dr Paul Dargan, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.