January 2021 PMID 33407562

Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use drugs: a historical perspective.

Daniela K van Santen, Roel A Coutinho, Anneke van den Hoek, Giel van Brussel, Marcel Buster, Maria Prins

Mentions

51
Peak: 7 in Oct 2022
across 5 sources since Jan 2021

Extended reach

118,941
potential audience

Total likes

62

Video views

158

Mentions per month

Jan 2021 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter40 posts
  • News4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions express strong support for harm reduction, emphasizing the Netherlands' long-term positive outcomes, as seen in mentions of notable policies like needle exchanges and safe consumption rooms. The tone is analytical yet optimistic, reflecting both respect for proven strategies and recognition of ongoing challenges.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies, citing the success of programs in the Netherlands and their impact on public health.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity by referencing specific studies, historical perspectives, and calling for further research, indicating strong engagement.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many comments analyze policies, compare international approaches, and cite detailed examples like needle exchanges and safe supply, showing deep involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

While there is recognition of the importance of Dutch models, some comments highlight ongoing challenges and debates, suggesting moderate overall influence.

Abstract in brief

  • The Amsterdam Cohort Studies (ACS) started in the 1980s within the context of Dutch harm reduction policies and faced challenges such as balancing public health benefits with individual rights, which led to innovative research and intervention strategies for people who use drugs.
  • Data from ACS between 1985 and 2016 show that programs like opioid therapy and needle exchanges significantly reduced HIV and hepatitis infections, with additional benefits from broader social and healthcare services that supported recovery and prevention.
  • Despite successes, ongoing HIV and hepatitis outbreaks in regions with limited harm reduction services highlight the need to expand access globally to meet WHO goals for eliminating viral hepatitis and HIV transmission.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Peter Higgs
@higgspg · X

Now out in #HarmReduction journal from @DanielavSanten and colleagues ‘Lessons from the #Amsterdam cohort’ what longitudinal studies of #PWUD can help us understand #harmreductionworks https://t.co/rsZipsIMuH

Jan 11, 2021 · 7 likes · 1,926 followers View post →
Dr Daniela van Santen
@DanielavSanten · X

Our paper just published - Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use drugs: a historical perspective (with a focus on harm reduction programs: first ever NSP (1984), changes in methadone dosing and more!) https://t.co/posddUTh5i

Jan 11, 2021 · 7 likes · 212 followers View post →
Alastair Zaraza's liminal corpse party
@outliersgeorg · X

@A_squishy_mochi There are safe supply programs for opioid users in parts of Europe that work pretty well. https://t.co/bkT3rMucvj

Oct 18, 2022 · 6 likes · 1,854 followers View post →
Peter Moskos
@PeterMoskos · X

@abluecanary Back in the '90s a lot of bathrooms in Amsterdam had dim dark-blue lights so users could not see their veins to shoot-up. Then the lights slowly disappeared. "Problematic heroin use is currently no longer a major public health concern in the Netherlands." https://t.co/FaLblUXwh6

Oct 16, 2022 · 3 likes · 15,888 followers View post →
jenrauls
@jenrauls · X

@ladoodles @RyanMarino 1. Well actually, yeah. Look at countries that provide safe supply and harm reduction does. https://t.co/vlRp2l5fFC

Apr 3, 2023 · 3 likes · 2,841 followers View post →
Tilt
@tilt66 · X

@hebert_virginie @Shell_done @LCP @ALeaument Le Fentanyl n'a strictement rien à voir avec la légalisation du Cannabis. Les crises des opioïdes sont antérieures aux modèles de légalisation et les Pays-Bas furent les pionniers de la réduction des risques. https://t.co/Op7PQ7Z7qx

Mar 18, 2025 · 3 likes · 265 followers View post →

All mentions

History and Impact of Drug Policies in the Subcontinent

This episode examines drug policies, their history, and the wars waged around them in the subcontinent. We focus on humanitarian approaches versus strict laws to address addiction and related issues, emphasizing lessons…

QnAPod · Jan 27, 2023 59 views
Tilt
@tilt66 · X

@hebert_virginie @Shell_done @LCP @ALeaument Le Fentanyl n'a strictement rien à voir avec la légalisation du Cannabis. Les crises des opioïdes sont antérieures aux modèles de légalisation et les Pays-Bas furent les pionniers de la réduction des risques. https://t.co/Op7PQ7Z7qx

Mar 18, 2025 · 3 likes · 265 followers View post →
John Jones
@wombat_at_large · X

@jeffcharlesjr A cohort study in Amsterdam looked at the result of the Harm Reduction effort there over 40 years, following 1376 drug users. During the study, 476 participants died. Doesn’t say why but that’s about 37%. They put a rosy spin on it, but that’s high, no? https://t.co/c4PqiMeORP

May 9, 2024 · 291 followers View post →
opticalfussion
@opticalfussion · X

@nlewis1111 @OC_Bird_Dog @Miriam2626 Sure nice story dude "ACS found no evidence that either methadone use or NSP participation alone were associated with a reduction in all-cause and AIDS-related mortality." https://t.co/2yXKsFC5As

Mar 7, 2024 · 39 followers View post →
Carlos Salas
@CarlosS64944458 · X

@la_toletole @LarrainDe @AnaMariaGazmuri El caso de la heroina en Holanda, se trató bajo el criterio epidemiológico de contagio por uso de agujas contaminadas como un criterio relevante y quizás más que las adiccciones, atendamos a los detalles en el análisis. https://t.co/2c5qKCJrIx

Mar 6, 2024 · 390 followers View post →
spokespun
@spokespun · X

@mdpaulus @RyanMarino I think you should probably just research harm reduction strategies since there's a fundamental misunderstanding going on here. https://t.co/1ZjRf3fIF9 https://t.co/ywxS4veIrL

Feb 25, 2024 · 3 likes · 17 followers View post →
MeanHash ₿ ✪
@MeanHash · X

@Jebus Personally I have become fond of the way the Netherlands attacked their opiod crisis in the past. Fine/jail time for users, unless they entered long term treatment facilities. https://t.co/qjBcAucIH5

Feb 15, 2024 · 12,988 followers View post →
stefierrote
@stfierros · X

@HoffmanSamnta @UwumanT @MaxAAltamirano @cesargalicia_ ah paises bajos, el que tuvo una crisis de adiccion y tuvo una significativa reducción en crimenes asociados a drogas gracias a legalizar y programas de reduccion de daños? ese paises bajos? https://t.co/fC6MTTonnG https://t.co/XemKlEIUm4

Sep 23, 2023 · 1 like · 180 followers View post →
Yeeg
@Yeeg · X

@AlanElsharawy @ErikakHilton 1- A Europa inteira,Canadá,EUA e Oceania tem o uso DE VARIAS DROGAS legalizado e vicio tratado como PROBLEMA DE SAUDE PUBLICA . Aqui ESTUDO CIENTIFICO REVISADO POR PARES mostra que Amsterdam DIMINIU violencia e uso de drogas pesadas com a legalização https://t.co/FetxKRNiMN

Jul 21, 2023 · 117 followers View post →
sillyrabbitfafo
@sillyrabbitfafo · X

@MSW_researcher @Rob277659588671 @giantcheetoAB @artcgreen @AmarjeetSohiYEG @CityofEdmonton Legalization/Decriminalization models in other countries have been shown to decrease crime/addiction/AIDS/Hepatitis etc and ended up saving $$. Look towards the Netherlands for example https://t.co/Uv9btFlaU5

Jul 3, 2023 · 2 likes · 5,452 followers View post →
Sconosciuto
@reddivivo · X

@JacopoPalumbi @drelegantia https://t.co/Iopj72UZ4S

Jun 27, 2023 · 79 followers View post →
DaPr0fessorH
@DPr0f3ssor · X

@Fascist_Barbiee @war24182236 @thomreddy In The Netherlands this has been ongoing for decades. Even provide safe houses/treatment centers for the addicts. Viewed more as a social issue than a criminal issue. Would never work in the US because of the loss of $$$$ to prison system & big pharma. https://t.co/bvrxbq4nw1

May 4, 2023 · 2 likes · 97 followers View post →
clélia ELES CHEGARAM
@cleliakmuller · X

@Ann3_C4rneiro @adrinapl foi na holanda! fui atrás da fonte e ao invés de tratarem como uma questão de violência, trataram como saúde pública (o que de fato é). não resolveu tudo, e não tinha similaridade na violência, mas é um exemplo cabível. não foi aqui que li, mas um artigo: https://t.co/rFlZx1dWZq

Apr 9, 2023 · 1 like · 3,351 followers View post →
jenrauls
@jenrauls · X

@ladoodles @RyanMarino 1. Well actually, yeah. Look at countries that provide safe supply and harm reduction does. https://t.co/vlRp2l5fFC

Apr 3, 2023 · 3 likes · 2,841 followers View post →
Shhh
@MikeyTheChosen1 · X

@CameronP1234 @9NEWS Picking Amsterdam as your made up city could not have been a more unwiser choice. https://t.co/4GGdBMJ3ph

Feb 17, 2023 · 604 followers View post →
glenn edwards
@dglennedwards · X

@carl_colberg @David_Mulroney @jordanbpeterson The dutch perfected this public policy decades ago and it works, however it does require politicians to embrace science which seems dubious at best in the US but here you go https://t.co/fl0QxSjnD6

Jan 21, 2023 · 9 followers View post →
Trash Talk Project 2025
@TrumpTrashBags · X

@SenJohnKennedy This has already been fixed in Amsterdam. It has nothing to do with immigrants. You have it backwards, as usual. Do you have the courage to fix it? #fentanyl #drugtwt #congress @gop https://t.co/mhEaxvZkCc

Dec 12, 2022 · 1,594 followers View post →
Tsukiyo
@Desupoyo · X

@patriottakes How to actually prevent fentanyl deaths: https://t.co/lKS005CwqS

Oct 24, 2022 · 169 followers View post →
Tsukiyo
@Desupoyo · X

@GaeltachtMogy @th3catfam They should have drug consumption rooms like in the Netherlands, where they test your drugs for quality, give you clean needles and have people available for consultation, especially if you want to stop taking drugs. https://t.co/lKS005UFF0

Oct 24, 2022 · 169 followers View post →
Alastair Zaraza's liminal corpse party
@outliersgeorg · X

@A_squishy_mochi There are safe supply programs for opioid users in parts of Europe that work pretty well. https://t.co/bkT3rMucvj

Oct 18, 2022 · 6 likes · 1,854 followers View post →
Peter Moskos
@PeterMoskos · X

Here's a more recent publication, for those interested. (And the recent trend isn't so good, but I have faith they'll fix things.) A summary of the "Amsterdam Cohort Study": https://t.co/FaLblVezj6

Oct 16, 2022 · 2 likes · 15,888 followers View post →
Peter Moskos
@PeterMoskos · X

@abluecanary Back in the '90s a lot of bathrooms in Amsterdam had dim dark-blue lights so users could not see their veins to shoot-up. Then the lights slowly disappeared. "Problematic heroin use is currently no longer a major public health concern in the Netherlands." https://t.co/FaLblUXwh6

Oct 16, 2022 · 3 likes · 15,888 followers View post →
C₳MO
@Camopinions · X

@DrOz I know your supporters don’t like reading and just hope for a YouTube video to get their “info”, but in case there’s one out there that’s not lazy to read about the effectiveness of Harm Reduction Programs like in the Netherlands. https://t.co/myw4BGDIoS

Oct 5, 2022 · 1 like · 269 followers View post →
Mary Johanna
@MaryJohanna6 · X

@BryMullen @anthonyzenkus https://t.co/tH2bt5JHcP.

Oct 3, 2022 · 1,137 followers View post →
Montreal_guy
@Montreal_guy · X

@DilemmaTodays @nytimes It seems to work in other places it's been tried. https://t.co/NIQNzi4tcJ

Jul 26, 2022 · 1 like · 130 followers View post →
One of "THOSE" people
@Lauricas3 · X

@JohnnyThespian @DavidEngbaek @WeAreCanProud As long as the Netherlands practices are followed - which they won’t be because we have idiots running the show. https://t.co/RAEC4d3Mck

May 31, 2022 · 828 followers View post →
Drill Bill, DDS
@SarkastikB · X

@yesh222 It’s literally called harm reduction. It works. https://t.co/EBbCGDjIeg

May 27, 2022 · 1 like · 1,533 followers View post →
Dr. Death
@DrDeath_666 · X

@Cynder429 @ShellenbergerMD Here is an article in English, which has some answers for you. https://t.co/ulGsqpDAcj

May 11, 2022 · 2 likes · 41 followers View post →
Juan Costamagna
@JuanCostamagna · X

@CaroZaibac harm reduction (HR) https://t.co/yFhpEhyxiF

Apr 25, 2022 · 445 followers View post →
Dan Hyatt
@danhyatt2 · X

@eugenersmith @ThaTurdFerguson @angrybklynmom @jayobtv Yes and getting vaccinated against diseases is a great way to “take care of yourself.” Super interesting non sequitur! Curing addicts is complex and the Netherlands has done great research on this which was very successful, well worth the read! https://t.co/sbG1oTsmVu

Feb 8, 2022 · 79 followers View post →
Mike Garrigan4 “Kindred Spirits”
@MikeGarrigan4 · X

@Plinz https://t.co/lurhjOGaO2

Feb 2, 2022 · 356 followers View post →
Brad
@rocky25579 · X

@ScottCo39908318 https://t.co/AFxnmvUFdN. This. Article breaks it down a bit. May be tough without Medicare for all though.

Nov 30, 2021 · 112 followers View post →
Brad
@rocky25579 · X

@Cryptoprincipa1 @mrpresident35_ @logicisabitch @Breaking911 https://t.co/AFxnmvUFdN

Nov 30, 2021 · 112 followers View post →
Andy Stevenson
@andyste123 · X

@philipoconnor I remember hearing about their use in Amsterdam when I was living there. Seems like they worked there too

Jul 15, 2021 · 3,740 followers View post →
Ms Banani
@LusciousLani · X

@lyleleander @OpioidHysteria @neurorebelde @davidthekick @traceyh415 https://t.co/vshTWutNo3 ok this is a broad overview of harm reduction strategies over 30 years in the Netherlands - it touches on the heroin program a few times, confirms ageing addict population but it was in conjunction with a methadone program, so I had that wrong. Couldn’t 1/

Jun 26, 2021 · 1 like · 4,254 followers View post →
Nadine van Gelder
@GelderNadine · X

"Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use #drugs: a historical perspective" (Van Santen, Coutinho, Van den Hoek, Van Brussel, Buster & Prins, 2021) #harmreduction #PWUD #Dutchdrugpolicy https://t.co/I392u4Yhcn

Mar 29, 2021 · 2 likes · 781 followers View post →
Prison_Health
@Prison_Health · X

Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use drugs: a historical perspective https://t.co/nLfd7y30fP #OD #Overdose #PWUD #PWID #SUD #addiction #opioid #opioids #HarmReduction https://t.co/ILfze4T3xL

Feb 2, 2021 · 19,224 followers View post →
Éric Fleutelot
@EricFleutelot · X

Lecture du matin : Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use drugs: a historical perspective #HIV #HCV #drugabuse #harmreduction https://t.co/bMdwPvSOUB

Jan 22, 2021 · 2,100 followers View post →
Prison_Health
@Prison_Health · X

Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use drugs: a historical perspective https://t.co/nLfd7y30fP #OD #Overdose #PWUD #PWID #SUD #addiction #opioid #opioids #HarmReduction https://t.co/7K9td9XMEG

Jan 21, 2021 · 1 like · 19,224 followers View post →
Peter Higgs
@higgspg · X

Now out in #HarmReduction journal from @DanielavSanten and colleagues ‘Lessons from the #Amsterdam cohort’ what longitudinal studies of #PWUD can help us understand #harmreductionworks https://t.co/rsZipsIMuH

Jan 11, 2021 · 7 likes · 1,926 followers View post →
Dr Daniela van Santen
@DanielavSanten · X

Our paper just published - Lessons learned from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among people who use drugs: a historical perspective (with a focus on harm reduction programs: first ever NSP (1984), changes in methadone dosing and more!) https://t.co/posddUTh5i

Jan 11, 2021 · 7 likes · 212 followers View post →