Web-Based Intervention to Reduce Substance Abuse and Depression: A Three Arm Randomized Trial in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Web-based cognitive-behavioral interventions to reduce substance use can be a useful low-cost treatment for a large number of people, and an attractive option in countries where a greater availability of treatment is needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of a web-based cognitive-behavioral intervention for the reduction of substance use and depression compared with treatment as usual, with and without a printed self-help manual. METHOD: Individuals seeking outpatient treatment for substance use were randomly assigned to one of the following: (1) the web-based Help Program for Drug Abuse and Depression (n = 23); (2) an in-person session with an addiction therapist and use of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test Self-Help Strategies guide, followed by treatment as usual (n = 25), or (3) treatment ordinarily offered in the participating treatment centers (n = 26). The study took place in 2013-2014 (trial registration: ISRCTN25429892), and participants completed baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up evaluation interviews. RESULTS: Treatment retention and data availability were comparable in all three conditions. A reduction was observed from baseline to follow-up in average days of use [F(1,28) = 29.70, p < 0.001], severity of use [F(2,28) = 143.66, p < 0.001], and depressive symptomatology [F = (4)16.40, p < 0.001], independent of the type of treatment provided. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the web-based intervention to reduce substance abuse is feasible, although it is not more effective than other intervention modalities; its effectiveness must be evaluated in a larger sample. Attrition was a main limitation; future studies must improve retention and assess cost-effectiveness.

Población presa en Europa: especial referencia a la realidad penitenciaria española / População presa na Europa: especial referência à realidade penitenciária espanhola / Prison population in Europe: a special reference to the Spanish prison system reality

El artículo centra la atención en las conclusiones más destacadas del último informe del Observatorio de la Delincuencia titulado “Realidad y política penitenciarias” (2012). Este informe analiza la situación del sistema penitenciario español a partir de datos oficiales que abarcan, por primera vez, el conjunto de España, incluida la administración regional catalana, que posee competencias delegadas enmateria penitenciaria. El objetivo general es mostrar y comparar la realidad penitenciaria española. Además, explicar sus altas tasas penitenciarias comparadas con otros países europeos. El análisis descriptivo-cuantitativo usado en el examen de los datos ofi ciales se ha complementado con su estudio cualitativo-interpretativo, a partir de entrevistas semiabiertas con expertos en la materia. Los resultados muestran que las prisiones españolas están sobrepobladas en comparación con las de otros países europeos, hechoque confirma que la causa no es la mayor entrada de presos, sino que en España se cumple íntegramente la pena

The article focuses the attention on the most outstanding conclusions in the last “Observatorio de la Delincuencia”titled “Realidad y Politica penitenciarias” [Literally: Penitentiary reality and policy] (2012). This report analyzes the situation of the Spanish prison system from offi cial data covering, for the fi rst time, the Spanish State as a whole, including the regional Catalonian administration which has delegate competencies in prison-related matters. Showing and comparing the Spanish reality in this area is the general objective of this article, apart for explaining its high incarceration rates as compared with other European countries. The descriptive-quantitative analysis used in the examination of offi cial data has been supplemented with the qualitative-interpretative study thereof from semi-open interviews with experts in this matter. The results show that Spanish prisons are overpopulated as compared with those of other European countries, this being the confi rmation that the cause is not a higher number of incoming prisoners but the fact that sentences are entirely served in Spain

O artigo concentra a atenção sobre as principais conclusões do último relatório do Observatório da delinquência,intitulado “Realidade e política prisional” (2012). Este relatório examina a situação do sistema prisional espanhol, com base em dados ofi ciais que abrangem, pela primeira vez, toda a Espanha, incluindo a administração regional catalã, que possui poderes delegados no campo penitenciário. O objetivo geral é apresentar e comparar a realidade da prisão espanhola. Além disso, explica suas elevadas taxas prisionais em comparação com outros países europeus. A análise descritiva e quantitativa usada na prova dos dados ofi ciais foi completada com seu estudo qualitativo e interpretativo, a partir de entrevistas e semi-abertas com especialistas no assunto. Os resultados mostram que as prisões espanholas estão superlotadas em compara-ção com aquelas de outros países europeus, que confi rma que a causa não é que tem um afl uxo crescente de presos, mas que em Espanha a pena e cumprida totalmente