BeTrAD: Better treatment for older drug users - Erasmus+ (Finished in 2019)

As part of the European Erasmus+ programme, the BeTrAD (Better Treatment for  Aging Drug Users) project  aims to provide professionals and organisations working in the field of drug addiction, nursing homes and local authorities with tools and models of good practice, in order to offer  opportunities to create and improve services for elderly drug users.

The progressive ageing of the population in most countries of the European Union means that social and health structures are undergoing a continuous process of adaptation to this problem; however, dependence on psychoactive substances is still associated with young people.

“It is clear that the total number and proportion of people with drug dependence, or associated problems, has increased over the last decades. Older people who use drugs are more likely to suffer the negative social consequences of long-term drug use. Thus, studies have shown that older drug users are often socially excluded and isolated by family, friends and social support networks.” (Casar et al ., 2009; Nezet, et al . 2009).

However, there are currently few treatments or specialized care programs specifically aimed at older drug users , and those that exist are not prepared to adequately respond to the needs of this group; therefore, specific services must be implemented. Indeed, treatment and care must be adapted to the current trend, that is, the accelerated aging of drug users, and provide a rapid response.

Professionals in drug dependency services have observed such changes in the age of users, and must deal with the daily problems of referring older users to appropriate care services.

Specifically, the following actions have been developed within the project:

1) The evaluation of existing policies and services targeting older people who use drugs in Europe. This analysis provides:

• Information on the demographic situation of each country, with demographic data and prevalence rates for older drug users.
• An assessment of the conditions of access to specific services, legal, social and health systems for the ageing drug-using population.
• Identifying current programs and services targeting older drug users.

The evaluation document can be accessed here.

2) A compilation of good practices, the purpose of which is to identify and collect examples of best practices found in specific services for the care of elderly drug addicts, as well as models of good practices for collaboration between geriatric resources and drug addict care. This compilation is contained in the guide to good practices , available both digitally and in paper format, which provides professionals in social and health services, administrations and academic institutions with a set of tools to guide the development, implementation and improvement of services aimed at elderly drug users.

The Good Practices Guide can be accessed here.

3) A Toolbox, one of the most important intellectual products of the European BeTrAD project, specifically coordinated and led by the Fundación Salud y Comunidad team. It incorporates the findings and conclusions of all the project processes. It provides tools and guidance to develop, implement and improve services for older drug users. These tools are aimed at social service providers, professional training agencies, policy makers and higher education institutions.

The Toolbox can be accessed here.

4) A training model, based on the content and structure of the good practice guide and on the results obtained from the evaluation carried out, the scientific evidence and the analysis of the policies implemented. The training curriculum designed will serve as a model for carrying out training at a national level, and so that other organizations can adopt it or extract specific parts for training purposes.

The Summer School on Drugs and Aging training brochure can be accessed here.

5) National Reports from the participating countries: Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and Spain. These reports aim to provide a general overview of the country’s drug addiction policies in relation to older people, together with a compilation of their practices and recommendations in this area.

This project has been funded with support from the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission , which has selected it as an outstanding example of good practice with excellent results and a source of inspiration for others.