scholarly journals The impact of the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act on synthetic cannabinoid use within the homeless population: Markets, content and user harms

2021 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 103305
Author(s):  
Rob Ralphs ◽  
Paul Gray ◽  
Oliver B. Sutcliffe
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Deaths from novel psychoactive substances in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Evaluating the impact of the UK psychoactive substances act 2016

2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112110266
Author(s):  
Adrian A Deen ◽  
Hugh Claridge ◽  
Richard D Treble ◽  
Hilary J Hamnett ◽  
Caroline S Copeland
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Legal Highs ◽  
National Programme ◽  
Death Case ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: ‘Legal highs’ began appearing in the UK in the mid-2000s. Whilst many of these substances were controlled under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, novel compounds and new variants of controlled compounds were continuously being introduced to the recreational drug market. The Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA) was therefore implemented in 2016 as a blanket ban on all novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Aim: To evaluate the impact of the PSA on deaths following NPS use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Methods: Cases reported to the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths where death had occurred 3 years pre- or post-implementation of the PSA were extracted. Cases with NPS detected at post-mortem were analysed and compared against cases non-NPS cases. Results: 293 deaths with NPS detected were identified; 91 occurring before the PSA and 202 afterwards, indicating an 222.0% post-PSA increase. Contrastingly, non-NPS drug-related death case reporting increased by only 8.0%. Synthetic cannabinoid, anxiolytic/sedative and stimulant NPS were detected in the largest proportions of deaths pre-PSA; post-PSA stimulant NPS detections reduced whilst synthetic cannabinoid and anxiolytic/sedative detections increased. Post-PSA, average decedent age increased significantly (mean age pre-PSA 34.4 ± 10.8 vs post-PSA 38.3 ± 9.4), and they were significantly more likely to have been living in deprived areas (pre-PSA 50.0% vs post-PSA 65.9%). Conclusions: Reporting of deaths following NPS use has risen despite introduction of the PSA. Whilst deaths amongst younger individuals and those living in more affluent areas has reduced, additional approaches to prohibition are needed to curb their persistence in deprived demographics.

The impact of legislation on acute synthetic cannabinoid harms resulting in ambulance attendance

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 102720
Author(s):  
Jasmin Grigg ◽  
Jessica J Killian ◽  
Sharon Matthews ◽  
Debbie Scott ◽  
Shalini Arunogiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ambulance Attendance

scholarly journals The impact of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 on the online availability of MDMB-CHMICA

QJM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 110 (10) ◽  
pp. 619-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Haden ◽  
D M Wood ◽  
P I Dargan
Keyword(s):  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Online Availability ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 modulates Saccharomyces cerevisiae energetic metabolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Ferreira ◽  
Joana Couceiro ◽  
Carlos Família ◽  
Carolina Jardim ◽  
Pedro Antas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
Glycolytic Flux ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
2D Gel ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Synthetic cannabinoids are a group of novel psychoactive substances with similar properties to Δ9-THC. Among the vast number of synthetic cannabinoids, designed to be tested in clinical trials, JWH-018 was the first novel psychoactive substance found in the recreational drug marketplace. The consumption of JWH-018 shows typical effects of CB1 agonists including sedation, cognitive dysfunction, tachycardia, postural hypotension, dry mouth, ataxia and psychotropic effects, but appeared to be more potent than Δ9-THC. However, studies on human cells have shown that JWH-018 toxicity depends on the cellular line used. Despite these studies, the underlying molecular mechanisms to JWH-018 action has not been clarified yet. To understand the impact of JWH-018 at molecular and cellular level, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. The results showed an increase in yeast growth rate in the presence of this synthetic cannabinoid due to an enhancement in the glycolytic flux at expense of a decrease in pentose phosphate pathway, judging by 2D-Gel proteomic analysis, qRT-PCR experiments and ATP measurements. Overall, our results provide insights into molecular mechanisms of JWH-018 action, also indicating that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a good model to study synthetic cannabinoids.

scholarly journals Depression during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst residents of homeless shelters in France.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Honor Scarlett ◽  
Camille Davisse-Paturet ◽  
Cecile Longchamps ◽  
Tarik El Aarbaoui ◽  
Cecile Allaire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Homeless Persons ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Metropolitan Regions ◽  
The Impact

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID–19 pandemic has negatively affected global mental health and well–being. However, the impact amongst homeless persons has not been fully evaluated. The ECHO study reports factors associated with depression amongst the homeless population living in shelters in France during the Spring of 2020. Methods: Interview data were collected from 527 participants living in temporary and/or emergency accommodation following France's first lockdown (02/05/20 – 07/06/20), in the metropolitan regions of Paris (74%), Lyon (19%) and Strasbourg (7%). Interviews were conducted in French, English, or with interpreters (33% of participants, ~20 languages). Presence of depression was ascertained using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ–9). Results: Amongst ECHO study participants, 30% had symptoms of moderate to severe depression (PHQ–9≥ 10). Multivariate analysis revealed depression to be associated with being female (aOR: 2.15; CI: 1.26–3.69), being single (aOR: 1.60; CI: 1.01–2.52), having a chronic illness (aOR: 2.32; CI: 1.43–3.78), facing food insecurity (aOR: 2.12; CI: 1.40–3.22) and participants' region of origin. Persons born in African and Eastern Mediterranean regions showed levels of depression comparable to those of French participants (30–33%) but higher than migrants from European countries (14%). Reduced rates of depression were observed amongst participants aged 30–49 (aOR: 0.60; CI: 0.38–0.95) and over 50 (aOR: 0.28; CI: 0.13–0.64), compared to 18–29–year–olds. Conclusions: Our results indicate high levels of depression among homeless persons during the COVID–19 pandemic. The value of these findings extends beyond the health crisis, as predicted future instability and economic repercussions could particularly impact the mental health of this vulnerable group.

scholarly journals HIV/AIDS patients adherence to antiretroviral therapy and the impact of the use of psychoactive substances

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Helena Gonzales Real ◽  
Karen Jansen ◽  
Fernanda Pedrotti Moreira ◽  
André Gonzales Real
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Substance Involvement ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

Objective: Describe the profile of the HIV/AIDS patients who use psychoactive substances; relate the use of psychoactive substances and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to non-adherence; and identify the main barriers for non-adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional study in a population of HIV/AIDS patients under ART prescription. Non-adherence to ART was considered when the patients presented a viral load higher than 40 copies per mL. The use of psychoactive substances was evaluated by Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Results: From 320 HIV/AIDS patients analyzed, 18.8% were not adhering to ART, 25.8% used alcohol, 21.7% smoked and 29.7% used some illicit psychoactive substance. The barriers were: high number of pills to be taken; fear that other people may know they are sick; difficulty of taking so many pills (if they do not feel sick); and they do not believe in the efficacy of the treatment (would rather try alternative treatments). Conclusion: Patients under higher risk are not white and young, from lower social classes, and use psychoactive substances. Strategies should focus on the promotion of adherence considering the barriers reported.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and homelessness in England: a modelling study of the COVID-19 pandemic among people experiencing homelessness, and the impact of a residential intervention to isolate vulnerable people and care for people with symptoms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Lewer ◽  
Isobel Braithwaite ◽  
Miriam Bullock ◽  
Max T Eyre ◽  
Robert W Aldridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Markov Chain Model ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Chain Model ◽  
Scenario Analyses ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThere is an ongoing pandemic of the viral respiratory disease COVID-19. People experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to infection and severe disease. Health and housing authorities in England have developed a residential intervention that aims to isolate those vulnerable to severe disease (COVID-PROTECT) and care for people with symptoms (COVID-CARE).MethodsWe used a discrete-time Markov chain model to forecast COVID-19 infections among people experiencing homelessness, given strong containment measures in the general population and some transmission among 35,817 people living in 1,065 hostels, and 11,748 people sleeping rough (the ’do nothing’ scenario). We then estimated demand for beds if those eligible are offered COVID-PROTECT and COVID-CARE. We estimated the reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospital admissions that could be achieved by these interventions. We also conducted sensitivity and scenario analyses to identify programme success factors.ResultsIn a ’do nothing’ scenario, we estimate that 34% of the homeless population could get COVID-19 between March and August 2020, with 364 deaths, 4,074 hospital admissions and 572 critical care admissions. In our ’base intervention’ scenario, demand for COVID-PROTECT peaks at 9,934 beds, and demand for COVID-CARE peaks at 1,366 beds. The intervention could reduce transmission by removing symptomatic individuals from the community, and preventing vulnerable individuals from being infected. This could lead to a reduction of 164 deaths, 2,624 hospital admissions, and 248 critical care admissions over this period. Sensitivity analyses showed that the number of deaths is sensitive to transmission of COVID-19 in COVID-PROTECT. If COVID-PROTECT capacity is limited, scenario analyses show the benefit of prioritising people who are vulnerable to severe disease.ConclusionSupportive accommodation can mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the homeless population of England, and reduce the burden on acute hospitals.

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