Risk communication of serious drug-related risks: Results from a systematic review

Issue

Serious drug-related risks such as outbreaks of acute non-fatal or fatal poisonings or the emergence of high strength, adulterated or contaminated products, require urgent attention and timely and co-coordinated communication to minimise drug-related harm. We conducted a systematic review to collect the current best evidence on risk communication of serious drug-related risk to professionals and people who use drugs particularly in emergency situations. The systematic review carefully follows the PRISMA guidelines for data management and reporting.

Results

Findings of the systematic review provide an in-depth understanding of best practices in risk communication of serious drug-related risks to professionals and to people who use drugs, including the limitations of the available evidence. Early warning systems and harm reduction services play central role in communicating risks. Key characteristics of effective risk communication are e.g. preparedness, timeliness, clarity, trustworthiness and actionability. Effective risk communication needs to be evidence-based and tailored to the needs of specific audiences and vulnerable groups particularly. These results are preliminary and are being expanded currently.

Lessons

A variety of technologies and practices are applied in communicating serious drug-related risks in emergency situations. Identifying best practices for effective risk communication benefits from a systematic, evidence-based approach to understanding what works and what does not work in relation to the specific audiences of professionals and people who use drugs. Limitations of available evidence also need to be recognized.

This work was supported by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).

Key messages

• Effective risk communication of serious drug-related risks needs to apply evidence-based knowledge, be timely, trusted, actionable and tailored to its specific audiences.

• Results will be used to develop a risk communication framework for serious drug-related risks to support the implementation of the European Drug Alert System managed by the European Union Drugs Agency