Virtual Community of Researchers and Prevention Experts: Approximating Drug Research and Practice Fields.

SUBSTANCE abuse prevention; ALTERNATIVE education; CONCEPTUAL structures; EXPERTISE; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL personnel; PSYCHIATRIC drugs; UNIVERSITIES & colleges; VIRTUAL reality; EVIDENCE-based medicine; ONLINE social networks

The authors discuss the findings of a virtual community of addiction experts set up to share evidence-based programmes of prevention on novel psychoactive substance use in Portugal. Highlights include how members interact to improve their prevention intervention domains and approaches, the lack of specialized personnel working in drug prevention programmes, and key success factors for communities of practice.