For researchers, drug treatment professionals, clinicians, community workers, policy makers and students, keeping informed on current trends and thinking in the broad subject area of drug and alcohol addiction can be time consuming and difficult, particularly for those without direct access to a well resourced research library.

The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use (NDC) holds a collection of approximately 30 academic journals, magazines and newsletters that will be of interest to the various professionals in the field. The collection represents both national and international research and opinion on the subject of drug and alcohol use, prevention, treatment, education and social consequences. The range of journals reflects the points of view of a wide variety of disciplines, such as: medicine, social science, psychology, public health and nursing. The NDC collection continues to grow, reflecting the changing and expanding needs of NDC users.

Some of the leading journals and newsletters are:

Addiction – (formerly British Journal of Addiction) a well known peer-reviewed journal in print since 1947. It publishes high-quality international research for a large readership, with editorials, commentaries, interviews with leading figures in the field, and a comprehensive book review section.

Druglink – a bi-monthly magazine for professionals interested in drugs and drug-related issues in the UK. Druglink includes current news, feature articles, interviews, factsheets, and reviews and covers topics such as treatment, public health, education and prevention, criminal justice and international issues.

Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy – a peer-reviewed journal which provides a forum for communication and debate between policy makers, practitioners and researchers concerned with social and health policy responses to legal and illicit drug use and drug-related harm. This journal has published Irish drug-related research and includes Dr Shane Butler, TCD, and Dr Mark Morgan, St. Patrick's College Drumcondra, on its editorial board.

European Addiction Research – a unique international forum for the exchange of interdisciplinary information and expert opinion on all aspects of addiction research. The journal’s broad scope and cross-cultural perspective reflect the importance of a comprehensive approach to resolving the problems of substance abuse and addiction in Europe. Coverage ranges from clinical and research advances in the fields of psychiatry, biology, pharmacology and epidemiology to the social and legal implications of policy decisions. In recent years this journal has published Irish drug-related research.

Harm Reduction Journal – a new online journal that provides free access to peer-reviewed research and focuses on prevalence of psychoactive drug use, public policy, harm reduction, public health, and the social consequences associated with drug use and drug policies, in particular changing patterns of drug use and their implications for the spread of HIV / AIDS and other bloodborne pathogens.

International Journal of Drug Policy – provides a forum for the dissemination of current research, reviews, debate, and critical analysis on drug use and drug policy in a global context. It seeks to publish material on the social, political, legal, and health contexts of psychoactive substance use, both licit and illicit. The journal is particularly concerned to explore the effects of drug policy and practice on drug-using behaviour and its health and social consequences. This journal has published Irish drug related research in recent years.

Of Substance - The national magazine on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs – an Australian magazine for the drug, alcohol and tobacco and other drugs sector (ATOD). Funded by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, the magazine’s target audience is the frontline ATOD workforce in Australia. The magazine is also aimed at policy makers, academics and others interested in ATOD issues. The magazine’s main purpose is to disseminate current research and best practice to the ATOD field in plain English.

Substance Use & Misuse – publishes peer-reviewed research and provides an international and multidisciplinary environment for the exchange of facts, theories, opinions, and issues concerning substance use and misuse of licit and illicit drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. The journal also addresses issues around eating disorders and gambling.

New Service

Keeping informed of current research and best practice is an important part of professional development. Drug sector workers and others with an interest in drugs and alcohol issues can inform themselves by reading some of the many journals and newsletters available in the NDC.

Visitors to the NDC library are welcome to browse the journal collection during opening hours. However, to accommodate our nationally dispersed users, the NDC has also put in place an ‘Alert Service’ for users who cannot visit the library on a regular basis or those who prefer to receive electronic content.