Enzyme-based paper test for detection of lactose in illicit drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1077-1084
Author(s):  
Jessica Zinna ◽  
Tracy-Lynn E. Lockwood ◽  
Marya Lieberman
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Enzyme System ◽  
Paper Test ◽  
Drug Mixtures ◽  
Analytical Device

A three-enzyme system incorporated into a paper analytical device can semi-quantitatively detect lactose at concentrations as low as 5% in illicit drug mixtures.

Fire on the Mountain: Reinvigorating Legislative Measures to Quench the Flame of Illicit Drug Use in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-29
Author(s):  
Sogo Angel Olofinbiyi ◽  
Thembelihle Mtambo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
South African ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
African Government ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Legislative Measures

South African societies have been characterized by the prolific incidence of illicit drug use in recent times.  The paper attempts to examine the legislations implemented on the use of illicit drugs in South Africa. The study adopts a review of the literature to identify and describe the most common illicit drugs used around South Africa communities, placing emphasis on the policies developed by the South African government in combating these situations. The research follows a critical   discussion on the issues associated with drug use, its causes, as well as its effects on humans and the environment. The study recommends relevant initiatives to combat all intricacies associated with drug use within the country. This approach will be appropriate in facilitating a clear-cut   understanding of the possible remedies to quench the burning flame of illicit drug use across a broad range of South African communities.

scholarly journals Healthcare cost associations of patients who use illicit drugs in Florida: a retrospective analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Ryan ◽  
Veronica R. Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Healthcare Cost ◽  
Healthcare Costs ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Multiple Drugs ◽  
Hospital Research

Abstract Background Illicit drug use increases visits to the hospital. Research is limited on the costs of these healthcare visits by illicit drug. Methods Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration’s emergency department and inpatient datasets from 2016 to 2018 were analyzed. Adults who used an illicit drug were included in the study population resulting in 709,658 observations. Cost-to-charge ratios were used to estimate healthcare costs. Linear regression analyzed associations of illicit drugs with total healthcare cost. Results Total healthcare costs are estimated at $6.4 billion over the 3 year period. Medicare paid for the most patient care ($2.16 billion) with Medicaid and commercial insurance each estimated at $1.36 billion. Cocaine (9.25%) and multiple drug use (6.12%) increased the costs of an ED visit compared to a patient with cannabis SUD. Opioids (23.40%) and inhalants use (16.30%) increased the costs of inpatient compared to cannabis SUD. Conclusion Healthcare costs are high of patients with illicit drug SUD and poisoning, over half of which are paid for with tax payer dollars and to an unknown degree hospital write-offs. Injuries and illness of patients using cocaine and multiple drugs are associated with more expensive ED patient care and opioids and inhalants are associated with more expensive inpatient care.

Silent severe myocardial ischemia in a past illicit drug user imaged with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Perfusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026765912110281
Author(s):  
Chrissa Sioka ◽  
Georgios Georgiou ◽  
Christos Katsouras ◽  
Konstantinos Pappas ◽  
Dimitris-Nikiforos Kiortsis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Myocardial Perfusion ◽  
Myocardial Ischemia ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Microvascular Dysfunction ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction ◽  
Illicit Drug User ◽  
Cardiac Symptoms

Patients with illicit drug use may have deleterious acute and chronic cardiac effects. We present a case of a 42-year-old man, former alcohol and various illicit drugs user, who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for management of psychosis. Because of his previous drug and alcohol history, a cardiological evaluation was performed which revealed silent severe myocardial ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The myocardial ischemia was attributed to coronary microvascular dysfunction, occurring several years after quitting the illicit drugs. This study highlights the potential myocardial ischemia that may occur in patients with previous alcohol and illicit drug use, and the role of MPI, a non-invasive test that can provide important information regarding the myocardial status of such patients, even without obvious cardiac symptoms or findings.

PARENTAL DRUG USAGE: EFFECT UPON CHROMOSOMES OF PROGENY

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1041
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Dumars
Keyword(s):  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Clinical State ◽  
Chromosomal Breakage ◽  
Drug Usage ◽  
Illicit Drug Users ◽  
Significant Difference

Illicit drug usage is a serious medical problem. Parental use of LSD and the effect upon the unborn infant is in question. However, parental use of LSD has often prevented acceptance of those children subsequently relinquished for adoption. In this study we reviewed the records and clinical state of over 1,000 consecutive infants who were relinquished for adoption. Clinical and developmental examination was conducted upon 47 and chromosomal karyotyping upon 41/47 infants whose parents were illicit drug users. In comparison with comparable controls we found no statistically significant difference in the incidence of chromosomal breakage or rearrangement. Parental use of illicit drugs does not in itself constitute a valid reason for the refusal to accept or place an infant relinquished for adoption.

scholarly journals Use of illicit drugs by adolescents and young adults of an urban settlement in Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-118
Author(s):  
Rafael Alves Guimarães ◽  
Márcia Maria de Souza ◽  
Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano ◽  
Sheila Araujo Teles ◽  
Marcos André de Matos
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urban Settlement ◽  
Factors Associated

Summary Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with illicit drug use by adolescents and young adults of a formal urban settlement. Method: Cross-sectional study including adolescents and young adults 12-24 years of an urban settlement in the Midwest Region of Brazil. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Stata, version 12.0. We used Poisson regression model to estimate the factors associated with illicit drug use. Results: Of the total participants (n=105), 27.6% (95CI 20.0-36.9%) had used illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, LSD and inhalants. The consumption of these substances was associated with male gender, use of body piercing and/or tattoos, licit drug use and self-report of signs and/or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: High prevalence of illicit drug use was found in the individuals investigated, ratifying the presence of risk factors to the vulnerability of the settlers to use these substances in the urban settlement population.

scholarly journals Psychometric properties of DSM assessments of illicit drug abuse and dependence: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC)

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1345-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. LYNSKEY ◽  
A. AGRAWAL
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Epidemiologic Survey ◽  
Drug Use Disorders ◽  
Illicit Drug Abuse

ABSTRACTBackgroundDSM-IV criteria for illicit drug abuse and dependence are largely based on criteria developed for alcohol use disorders and there is a lack of research evidence on the psychometric properties of these symptoms when applied to illicit drugs.MethodThis study utilizes data on abuse/dependence criteria for cannabis, cocaine, stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers, opiates, hallucinogens and inhalants from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC, n=43 093). Analyses included factor analysis to explore the dimensionality of illicit drug abuse and dependence criteria, calculation of item difficulty and discrimination within an item response framework and a descriptive analysis of ‘diagnostic orphans’: individuals meeting criteria for 1–2 dependence symptoms but not abuse. Rates of psychiatric disorders were compared across groups.ResultsResults favor a uni-dimensional construct for abuse/dependence on each of the eight drug classes. Factor loadings, item difficulty and discrimination were remarkably consistent across drug categories. For each drug category, between 29% and 51% of all individuals meeting criteria for at least one symptom did not receive a formal diagnosis of either abuse or dependence and were therefore classified as ‘orphans’. Mean rates of disorder in these individuals suggested that illicit drug use disorders may be more adequately described along a spectrum of severity.ConclusionsWhile there were remarkable similarities across categories of illicit drugs, consideration of item difficulty suggested that some alterations to DSM regarding the relevant severity of specific abuse and dependence criteria may be warranted.

scholarly journals An Australian Twin Study of Cannabis and Other Illicit Drug Use and Misuse, and Other Psychopathology

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Lynskey ◽  
Arpana Agrawal ◽  
Anjali Henders ◽  
Elliot C. Nelson ◽  
Pamela A. F. Madden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Drug Use Disorders ◽  
Illicit Drug Abuse ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Adult Twins

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug throughout the developed world and there is consistent evidence of heritable influences on multiple stages of cannabis involvement including initiation of use and abuse/dependence. In this paper, we describe the methodology and preliminary results of a large-scale interview study of 3,824 young adult twins (born 1972–1979) and their siblings. Cannabis use was common with 75.2% of males and 64.7% of females reporting some lifetime use of cannabis while 24.5% of males and 11.8% of females reported meeting criteria for DSM-IV cannabis abuse or dependence. Rates of other drug use disorders and common psychiatric conditions were highly correlated with extent of cannabis involvement and there was consistent evidence of heritable influences across a range of cannabis phenotypes including early (≤15 years) opportunity to use (h2 = 72%), early (≤16 years) onset use (h2 = 80%), using cannabis 11+ times lifetime (h2 = 76%), and DSM abuse/dependence (h2 = 72%). Early age of onset of cannabis use was strongly associated with increased rates of subsequent use of other illicit drugs and with illicit drug abuse/dependence; further analyses indicating that some component of this association may have been mediated by increasing exposure to and opportunity to use other illicit drugs.

Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma: systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. F467-F473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eloise Müller-Schulte ◽  
Gerhard Kurlemann ◽  
Anja Harder
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Bias Analysis ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Registration Number

ObjectiveTo determine whether prenatal and perinatal maternal consumption of alcohol, tobacco and/or illicit drugs is associated with risk of neuroblastoma.Data sourcesMedline and Embase (both from inception to February 2017), and reference lists of included studies.Study selectionTo be eligible, a study had to be an original report including data on intake of alcohol, tobacco smoking and/or consumption of illicit drugs during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma in the child.Data extractionFrom eligible studies, data study characteristics as well as effect measures and confounders were extracted. We assessed unadjusted and confounder-adjusted estimates, performed risk of bias analysis, constructed random-effects models and assessed heterogeneity.ResultsWe identified 14 case–control studies (1987–2016) involving a total of 3114 children with neuroblastoma. Meta-analysis of unadjusted estimates showed an association between alcohol (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.49), tobacco (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.44) and illicit drug consumption during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma during childhood, with illicit drug consumption showing the strongest association (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.36 to 7.86). However, adjusted estimates were highly heterogeneous.LimitationsAll studies were at high risk of bias.ConclusionsSmoking, alcohol or illicit drugs during pregnancy might play a role in the development of neuroblastoma. However, well-designed studies are needed to assess whether these exposures are causal and whether time period during pregnancy, dose or co-consumption of substances is critical.Trial registration numberRegistration number CRD42016036165.

772 Examining sleep difficulties and suicide ideation among those reporting abuse and dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A300-A301
Author(s):  
Rebecca Robbins ◽  
Ralph J DiClimente ◽  
Matthew Weaver ◽  
Catherine Di Gangi ◽  
Isabel Chalem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Drugs And Alcohol ◽  
Illicit Drug Abuse ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbance is associated with poor mental health and may contribute to initiating or continuing use/abuse of alcohol and drugs. Using data from a nationwide survey, we examined the relationship between sleep disturbance and suicide behaviors among youth and adults, including those who report drug/alcohol use and abuse. Methods We analyzed data from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey collecting information about the use of illicit drugs and alcohol among non-institutionalized U.S. youth (age 12–17) and adults (age>17). The 2018 survey included 9,398 youth and 43,026 adult respondents. Depression was assessed in adults with the Kessler-6 and in youth with several questions assessing psychological distress. Those who scored at risk for psychological distress were also asked about sleep disturbance and suicidal behaviors (i.e., ideation, planning, attempt). All were asked to report their drug/alcohol use and/or abuse. Our study population included those who reported psychological distress. We conducted binary logistic regression to examine the relationship between suicidal behavior and sleep disturbance in this population. We also conducted sub-analyses to explore the relationship between suicidal behavior and sleep disturbance among those reporting drug/alcohol use and abuse. Results Youth were 29% male and 71% female, adults were 36% male and 64% female. Adult participants, 39% were 18 to 25, 22% were 26 to 34, and 39% were age 35 and older. Among those with psychological distress, suicidal behavior was more likely among those who reported sleep disturbance (youth: OR=2.7, 95%CI:1.8–4.0; adults: OR=1.3, 95%CI:1.2–1.5). Also, among those with psychological distress, suicidal behavior was more likely among those who reported concomitant sleep disturbance and either alcohol abuse/alcoholism (youth: OR:3.3, 95%CI:1.6–7.0; adults: OR=1.4, 95%CI:1.1–1.7); illicit drug abuse (youth: OR=3.5, 95%CI:1.6–7.4; adults: OR=1.3, 95%CI:1.0–1.6); or alcohol and illicit drug abuse (youth: OR=3.2, 95%CI:1.5–6.9; adults: OR=1.4, 95%CI:1.1–1.7). Conclusion Youth and adults with psychological distress and sleep disturbance are more likely to also report suicidal behaviors. Alcohol and drug use or abuse increase their risk for suicidal behavior compared to those who do not report sleep disturbance. Future work should include examination of causality and of interventions. Support (if any) NIH K24-HL105664, P01-AG009975, T32-HL007901, K01HL150339, 1R56HL151637

scholarly journals How far can you go? Association between illicit drug use and academic migration

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Lauro Miranda Demenech ◽  
Samuel C. Dumith ◽  
Luiza Santos Ferreira ◽  
Mariana Lima Corrêa ◽  
Pedro San Martin Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the prevalence of illicit drugs use in the lifetime, last year and last month, as well as the factors associated to the last year's use and its association with academic migration, among undergraduate students of a university in southern Brazil. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through self-administered questionnaire. It was conducted a clustered systematic sampling. For multivariate analyses, it was used Poisson regression. Results: 1,423 students participated. The prevalence of illicit drug use in the lifetime, last year and last month were 42.4%, 25.5% and 17.7%, respectively. Regarding illicit substances, marijuana use was the most prevalent. The variables independently associated with illicit drugs use in the last year were academic migration, being male, younger, single, high parent's educational level, living with peers, tobacco use in the last year, and having friend and relative that have used illicit drugs. Religious practice had a protective effect. Conclusion: Individuals who migrated from their cities to study at the university are more exposed to the main risk factors pointed out by this research and hence to the use of illicit drugs. Based on these results, we suggest that universities develop evaluation, prevention, treatment or referral strategies considering specific needs of this population

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