Trends in Pediatric Recreational Drug Use and Ingestions

Author(s):  
Raymen R. Assaf ◽  
Kelly D. Young
Author(s):  
Alison Hutton ◽  
Matthew Brendan Munn ◽  
Sydney White ◽  
Peter Kara ◽  
Jamie Ranse

Abstract Background: Dedicated on-site medical services have long been recommended to improve health outcomes at mass-gathering events (MGEs). In many countries, they are being reviewed as a mandatory requirement. While it is known that perceptions of risk shape substance use plans amongst outdoor music festival (OMF) attendees, it is unclear if attendees perceive the presence of on-site medical services as a part of the safety net. The aim of this paper is to better understand whether attendees’ perceptions of on-site medical services influence high-risk behaviors like alcohol and recreational drug use at OMFs. Method: A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of attendees entering and attending two separate 20,000-person OMFs; one in Canada (Festival A) and one in New Zealand (Festival B). Responses focused on demographics, planned alcohol and recreational drug use, perceptions of medical services, and whether the absence of medical services would impact attendees’ planned substance use. Results: A total of 851 (587 and 264 attendees for Festival A and Festival B, respectively) attendees consented and participated. Gender distribution was equal and average ages were 23 to 25. At Festival A, 48% and 89% planned to use alcohol and recreational drugs, respectively, whereas at Festival B, it was 92% and 44%. A great majority were aware and supportive of the presence of medical services at both festivals, and a moderate number considered them a factor in attendance and something they would not attend without. There was significant (>10%) agreement (range 11%-46%; or 2,200-9,200 attendees for a 20,000-person festival) at both festivals that the absence of medical services would affect attendees’ planned use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Conclusions: This study found that attendees surveyed at two geographically and musically distinct OMFs had high but differing rates of planned alcohol and recreational drug use, and that the presence of on-site medical services may impact attendees’ perceptions of substance use risk. Future research will aim to address the limitations of this study to clarify these findings and their implications.


AIDS Care ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth F. Closson ◽  
Jennifer A. Mitty ◽  
Jowanna Malone ◽  
Kenneth H. Mayer ◽  
Matthew J. Mimiaga

1987 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
SPENCER F. JOHNSON ◽  
ROBERT J. MCCARTER ◽  
CHARLOTTE FERENCZ

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishvinder Bhathal ◽  
Tazeen Qureshi ◽  
Mahendranath Moharir ◽  
Daune MacGregor ◽  
Elizabeth Pulcine ◽  
...  

Background: Existing literature reports an association between recreational drug use and arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults. Due to recent trends in legalization and concerns regarding the impact of drugs on the developing brain, there is an urgent need for increased awareness of recreational drug use as a risk factor for AIS in childhood. Purpose: To increase awareness of an association between AIS and recreational drug use in a pediatric cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of a consecutive cohort of patients at a tertiary care pediatric center diagnosed with AIS in the context of recreational drug use between 2008-2017. Drug use was confirmed using toxicology testing and clinical history. Demographic, clinical and radiological data were collected. Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure scores (PSOM) were obtained from an institutional Stroke Registry. Results: Three males and one female were included in the study. Mean age at stroke presentation was 16.3 years (range 16-17 years). Three children presented with focal neurologic deficit and one with new onset seizure. Drug use for each patient was described as follows: Patient A - Marijuana; Patient B - Oxybutynin, Fluoxetine and unidentified compound; Patient C - Marijuana and Amphetamine; Patient D - Marijuana and alcohol. MRI demonstrated diffusion restriction in the anterior circulation in two children, anterior and posterior circulation in one child, and bilateral posterior circulation in one child also found to have a remote AIS. Vascular findings included: Patient A - normal; Patient B and C - right anterior circulation arteriopathy; Patient D - posterior circulation arteriopathy and bilateral vessel wall enhancement. ECHO and pro-thrombotic results were non-contributory. However, one patient required PFO closure. PSOM scores indicated mild-moderate disability initially and moderate disability at follow-up for three of four patients. Conclusions: This case series describes an association between recreational drug use and AIS in adolescents. We are unable to comment on the incidence of AIS related to drug use from our cohort. However, our data highlights a need for public health strategies that acknowledge AIS as a potential consequence of recreational drug use in adolescents.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofía Tomás Dols

La prevención de drogas no cala lo que debiera, posiblemente porque existe un enfrentamiento claro, entre lo que decimos y hacemos los adultos; nuestros jóvenes no son tontos y entienden más allá de los consejos estereotipados. La sociedad, en términos generales, está preocupada por el consumo de drogas de los jóvenes y en ellos centramos, desde luego, todo nuestro interés para retrasar al máximo el inicio de consumos, para evitar los abusos y formarles en disuadir el consumo de sustancias, con la finalidad clara de que crezcan libres y lo más sanos posibles física, psíquica y socialmente.


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