Are arrest statistics a valid measure of illicit drug use? The relationship between criminal justice and public health indicators of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana use

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 685-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Rosenfeld ◽  
Scott H. Decker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Valid Measure ◽  
Public Health Indicators ◽  
The Relationship

Exploring the Relationship between ICTs and Public Health at Country Level

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viju Raghupathi ◽  
Wullianallur Raghupathi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Fertility Rate ◽  
Child Immunization ◽  
The Public ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Public Health Indicators ◽  
The Relationship

The authors use a health analytics approach to investigate the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and public health at a country level. The research uses the ICT factors of accessibility, usage, quality, affordability, trade, and applications, as well as the public delivery indicators of adolescent fertility rate, child immunization for DPT, child immunization for measles, tuberculosis detection rate, life expectancy, adult female mortality rate, and adult male mortality rate. ICT data was collected from the International Telecommunication Union ICT Indicator database. The public health data was collected from the World Bank website. Results of the analytics indicate that ICT factors are positively associated with some public health indicators. Nearly all of the ICT factors are positively associated with the public health indicators of immunization rates, TB detection rates, and life expectancy. The association with adult mortality is negative, which is also favorable. However, the association of ICT with fertility rate is negative, which is an unfavorable effect. These results offer insight into the importance of understanding the positive and adverse impacts of ICT on public health so as to guide national policy decisions in the future.

scholarly journals Lifestyle characteristics of parental electronic cigarette and marijuana users: healthy or not?

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Dilani Wanasinghe ◽  
Shetal Shah ◽  
Amruta Bamanikar ◽  
David Aboudi ◽  
Soumya Mikkilineni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Electronic Cigarette ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Cigarette Tobacco ◽  
Tobacco Products

AbstractObjectiveTo assess lifestyle characteristics among parental electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), marijuana and tobacco users.MethodsA total of 1214 parents (77% mothers and 23% fathers) were surveyed and categorized into five exposure groups: e-cigarette use only (1%), marijuana use only (3%), tobacco products only (10%), multi-exposed [11% (marijuana, e-cigarette and tobacco)], and non-users [75% (no e-cigarette, tobacco or marijuana)].ResultsSimilar to non-users, the e-cigarette group had no illicit drug use. Further, e-cigarette users were more likely, in adjusted models, to self-identify as non-smokers and exercise compared with tobacco and multi-exposed groups. Although marijuana users also had higher odds of self-identifying as non-smokers compared to tobacco and multi-exposed groups, they were more likely than non-users to drink alcohol.ConclusionE-cigarette and marijuana using parents were less likely to identify as smokers. E-cigarette users had healthier lifestyle characteristics than the other exposed groups. Clinicians should consider specifically screening for parental e-cigarette and marijuana use as assessing for only “smoking” may underrepresent first-and second-hand exposure. Additionally, clinicians should be aware that marijuana using parents are more likely to drink alcohol and should counsel accordingly.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C, Illicit Drug Use and Public Health

2006 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 485-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
Kate Kalousek ◽  
Jürgen Rehm ◽  
Jeff Powis ◽  
Mel Krajden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use

Relationship between Adolescent Marijuana Use and Young Adult Illicit Drug Use

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Lessem ◽  
Christian J. Hopfer ◽  
Brett C. Haberstick ◽  
David Timberlake ◽  
Marissa A. Ehringer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Adolescent Marijuana Use

A twin study of early cannabis use and subsequent use and abuse/dependence of other illicit drugs

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1227-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARPANA AGRAWAL ◽  
MICHAEL C. NEALE ◽  
CAROL A. PRESCOTT ◽  
KENNETH S. KENDLER
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Twin Design ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Discordant Twin

Introduction. Cannabis use is strongly associated with the use and abuse/dependence of other illicit drugs. Gateway and common liabilities models have been employed to explain this relationship. We sought to examine this association using a combination of the discordant twin design and modeling methods.Method. We assess the relationship between early cannabis use and the subsequent use and abuse/dependence of other illicit drugs in a population-based sample of male and female twin pairs using four analyses: (i) analysis of the association between early cannabis use and other illicit drug use and abuse/dependence in the entire sample of twins, (ii) assessment of the influence of early cannabis use in twin 1 on twin 2's use or abuse/dependence of other illicit drugs, (iii) use of twin pairs discordant for early cannabis use in a discordant twin design and (iv) a model-fitting procedure.Results. We found: (i) a strong association between early cannabis use and use and abuse/dependence of other illicit drugs in the sample, (ii) twin 1's early cannabis use is significantly associated with the twin 2's other illicit drug use, (iii) the role of correlated genetic factors with some evidence for a causal influence, and (iv) the correlated liabilities model fits the data well.Conclusions. Early cannabis use is strongly associated with other illicit drug use and abuse/dependence. The relationship arises largely due to correlated genetic and environmental influences with persisting evidence for some causal influences.

The Role of Drugs in Workplace Injuries: Is Drug Testing Appropriate?

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Workplace Injuries ◽  
The Relationship

In the past decade, many employers have adopted drug-testing programs to reduce workplace injuries. However, little scientific evidence shows that drug use is a significant and substantial cause of total workplace injuries. The purpose of this study was to empirically assess the role of drugs and alcohol in causing workplace injuries. Questionnaires were received from 882 Ontario employees in a household survey. Results showed that many variables were significantly related to job injuries. The variables were ranked according to the relative importance of each variable's contribution to total job injuries. Alcohol problems, licit drug use, and illicit drug use ranked 7, 11, and 12 respectively among a group of 12 significant variables. In order to examine the likelihood that drug use was a cause of job injuries, the relationship between job injuries and alcohol problems, licit drug use, and illicit drug use was examined across categories of third variables. For age, the relationship between drug use and injuries remained strong for the youngest age group, but disappeared for the oldest age group. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the plausibility of noncausal explanations of job injuries for illicit drug use, but not for alcohol problems or licit drug use. Overall, the results indicated that illicit drug use does not appear to be a major cause of job injuries. The implications of these results for drug-testing programs are discussed.

scholarly journals Effects of mental health and substance use disorder symptoms on the association between STDs and sexual identity: evidence from the 2017–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Adzrago ◽  
Samuel H. Nyarko ◽  
Nnenna Ananaba ◽  
Christine Markham
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Major Depressive Episode ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases are rising in the USA, especially among sexual and gender minorities, despite the availability of numerous STD prevention programs. We examined the differences in STD prevalence among sexual and gender minority subgroups with major depressive episode symptoms and substance use dependence. Methods We combined 2017, 2018, and 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) public-use data on adults (N = 127,584) to conduct weighted multivariable logistic regression and margins analyses. Results Approximately 2.05% of the population reported having STDs. The population that had major depressive episode symptoms (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.46, 1.99), alcohol use dependence (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.49, 2.16), illicit drug use other than marijuana use dependence (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.73, 2.92), or marijuana use dependence (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.57, 2.31) had higher odds of contracting STDs compared to their counterparts. Lesbian/gay (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.24, 3.54) and bisexual (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.60, 2.37) individuals had higher odds of contracting STDs. Lesbians/gays with major depressive episode symptoms, alcohol use dependence, or illicit drug use other than marijuana use dependence had the highest probability of having STDs, compared to bisexuals and heterosexuals with major depressive episode symptoms, alcohol use, or illicit drug use other than marijuana use dependence. Bisexuals with marijuana use dependence had the highest probability of STD contraction compared to their lesbian/gay and heterosexual counterparts. Within each sexual identity subgroup, the probability of having STDs was higher for individuals with major depressive episode symptoms, or dependence on alcohol use, illicit drug use other than marijuana use, or marijuana use compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Major depressive episode symptoms, substance use dependence, and sexual and gender minority status had higher risks for STD diagnosis, particularly for sexual and gender minorities with major depressive episode symptoms or substance use dependence. Tailored interventions based on major depressive episode symptoms and substance use dependence may reduce the prevalence of STD, especially among sexual and gender minorities.

scholarly journals Adapting the ASSIST model of informal peer-led intervention delivery to the Talk to FRANK drug prevention programme in UK secondary schools (ASSIST + FRANK): intervention development, refinement and a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
James White ◽  
Jemma Hawkins ◽  
Kim Madden ◽  
Aimee Grant ◽  
Vanessa Er ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Drug Prevention ◽  
Smoking Prevention ◽  
Prevention Intervention

BackgroundIllicit drug use increases the risk of poor physical and mental health. There are few effective drug prevention interventions.ObjectiveTo assess the acceptability of implementing and trialling two school-based peer-led drug prevention interventions.DesignStage 1 – adapt ASSIST, an effective peer-led smoking prevention intervention to deliver information from the UK national drug education website [see www.talktofrank.com (accessed 29 August 2017)]. Stage 2 – deliver the two interventions, ASSIST + FRANK (+FRANK) and FRANK friends, examine implementation and refine content. Stage 3 – four-arm pilot cluster randomised control trial (cRCT) of +FRANK, FRANK friends, ASSIST and usual practice, including a process evaluation and an economic assessment.SettingFourteen secondary schools (two in stage 2) in South Wales, UK.ParticipantsUK Year 8 students aged 12–13 years at baseline.Interventions+FRANK is a UK informal peer-led smoking prevention intervention provided in Year 8 followed by a drug prevention adjunct provided in Year 9. FRANK friends is a standalone informal peer-led drug prevention intervention provided in Year 9. These interventions are designed to prevent illicit drug use through training influential students to disseminate information on the risks associated with drugs and minimising harms using content from www.talktofrank.com. Training is provided off site and follow-up visits are made in school.OutcomesStage 1 – +FRANK and FRANK friends intervention manuals and resources. Stage 2 – information on the acceptability and fidelity of delivery of the interventions for refining manuals and resources. Stage 3 – (a) acceptability of the interventions according to prespecified criteria; (b) qualitative data from students, staff, parents and intervention teams on implementation and receipt of the interventions; (c) comparison of the interventions; and (d) recruitment and retention rates, completeness of primary, secondary and intermediate outcome measures and estimation of costs.Results+FRANK and FRANK friends were developed with stakeholders [young people, teachers (school management team and other roles), parents, ASSIST trainers, drug agency staff and a public health commissioner] over an 18-month period. In the stage 2 delivery of +FRANK, 12 out of the 14 peer supporters attended the in-person follow-ups but only one completed the electronic follow-ups. In the pilot cRCT, 12 schools were recruited, randomised and retained. The student response rate at the 18-month follow-up was 93% (1460/1567 students). Over 80% of peer supporters invited were trained and reported conversations on drug use and contact with trainers. +FRANK was perceived less positively than FRANK friends. The prevalence of lifetime illicit drug use was 4.1% at baseline and 11.6% at follow-up, with low numbers of missing data for all outcomes. The estimated cost per school was £1942 for +FRANK and £3041 for FRANK friends. All progression criteria were met.ConclusionsBoth interventions were acceptable to students, teachers and parents, but FRANK friends was preferred to +FRANK. A limitation of the study was that qualitative data were collected on a self-selecting sample. Future work recommendations include progression to a Phase III effectiveness trial of FRANK friends.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN14415936.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full inPublic Health Research; Vol. 5, No. 7. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. The work was undertaken with the support of the Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer). Joint funding (MR/KO232331/1) from the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Welsh Government and the Wellcome Trust, under the auspices of the UK CRC, is gratefully acknowledged.

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