Developmental factors and drug use in young offenders

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
Adele Madden ◽  
Carol A. Ireland
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Young Offenders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Experiences ◽  
Emotional Coping ◽  
Rational Coping

Purpose Young offenders are known to have more chaotic experiences in childhood than non-offenders, and this impacts on their attachments, coping styles and early maladaptive schemas (EMS). The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between these factors and drug use. Design/methodology/approach This study used self-report questionnaires on a sample of 105 incarcerated young offenders. Findings Attachment styles did not differentiate drug users from non-drug users. Drug users were found to be no more likely than non-drug users to use avoidant coping styles. However, they were more likely to have emotional coping styles. Drug users had more EMS, and overall, those with insecure attachments had more EMS. Individuals with emotional coping styles scored higher than those with rational coping styles on several EMS. Those with emotional coping styles scored lower on the emotional inhibition EMS than those with rational coping styles. Practical implications The evidence presented has implications for the understanding of drug use in young offenders by: providing support to the model proposed by Young et al. (2003) regarding how insecure attachments can contribute to EMS; providing support for Crittenden’s (2008) model of attachment whereby problematic behaviours such as drug use can be a strategy the individual uses to protect themselves at times of threat or discomfort; highlighting the need for an integrated model of substance use in offenders which incorporates early experiences, attachments and EMS; and highlighting why substance use may become a coping strategy in young offenders and how to engage them to meet their needs in pro-social ways. Originality/value The study contributes to the understanding of attachment, coping and drug use in a young offender population. It sets foundations in the authors’ understanding of patterns of EMS in young drug users and highlights the need for an integrated model of substance use which incorporates early experiences, attachments and EMS.

Drug Use by Pregnant Women

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda C. Fentiman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Substance Use And Abuse ◽  
Weak Evidence

This chapter examines the use of drugs—both legal and illegal–by pregnant women, noting increased medical and legal supervision of pregnancy and women’s substance use and abuse. Many states require health care professionals to report pregnant women who admit to, or are suspected of, using alcohol or other drugs. The result can be involuntary detention commitment for “treatment.” Women have been prosecuted for homicide after they suffer a stillbirth despite weak evidence that the stillbirth was caused by drug use. Prosecution of these women is counterproductive, because it drives pregnant drug users underground, away from both prenatal care and drug treatment.

Visualising “junkies” and “meth heads” – a visual analysis of the persistent negative reputation of heroin and meth users

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Scheibe
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Drug Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Discourse ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
The Media ◽  
Visual Element ◽  
Negative Reputation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the persistent negative reputation of two particular types of drug users, the so-called heroin junkie and the meth head. The visual portrayal of both kinds of users in the media has been consistent in the last decades. Inspired by films and anti-drug campaigns, stereotypical ideas about heroin and meth users dominate the visual portrayals. Existing research has already shown that this standardised picture is not applicable uniformly. Nevertheless, the important role of the visual element for constituting beliefs about drug use and users is lacking in the current drug research. Therefore, this work focusses on the visual element of the drug discourse. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of the British movie Trainspotting, and the two American campaigns Faces of Meth and Montana Meth Project the visual representation of heroin and meth users is discussed. With the help of a visual discourse analysis this research discloses the particularities of every image. Findings The current visual portrayal of heroin and meth users stigmatises them as deviant and unhealthy. This single-sided perspective labels all users, without acknowledging different patterns of use. Counterexamples obtained through existing research do not support this uniformly applied stereotypical representation. The persistent negative reputation mediates inaccurate knowledge about drug use, with harmful consequences for the users, and harm-reduction work. Originality/value Drug research has not been focussing enough on the visual element of the drug discourse. This research intends to close the existing gap and emphasise the possible harmful consequences produced by such visuality.

scholarly journals Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: the strange case of the two selves of clandestine drug users in Scotland

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain McPhee ◽  
Chris Holligan ◽  
Robert McLean ◽  
Ross Deuchar
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Identity Management ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Controlled Drugs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the hidden social worlds of competent clandestine users of drugs controlled within the confines of the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which now includes NPS substances. The authors explore how and in what way socially competent drug users differ from others who are visible to the authorities as criminals by criminal justice bureaucracies and known to treatment agencies as defined problem drug users. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research utilises a bricoleur ethnographic methodology considered as a critical, multi-perspectival, multi-theoretical and multi-methodological approach to inquiry. Findings This paper challenges addiction discourses and, drawing upon empirical evidence, argues the user of controlled drugs should not be homogenised. Using several key strategies of identity management, drug takers employ a range of risk awareness and risk neutralisation techniques to protect self-esteem, avoid social affronts and in maintaining untainted identities. The authors present illicit drug use as one activity amongst other social activities that (some) people, conventionally, pursue. The findings from this study suggest that punitive drug policy, which links drug use with addiction, crime and antisocial behaviour, is inconsistent with the experience of the participants. Research limitations/implications Due to the small sample size (n=24) employed, the possibility that findings can be generalised is rendered difficult. However, generalisation was never an objective of the research; the experiences of this hidden population are deeply subjective and generalising findings and applying them to other populations would be an unproductive endeavour. While the research attempted to recruit an equal number of males and females to this research, gendered analysis was not a primary objective of this research. However, it is acknowledged that future research would greatly benefit from such a gendered focus. Practical implications The insights from the study may be useful in helping to inform future policy discourse on issues of drug use. In particular, the insights suggest that a more nuanced perspective should be adopted. This perspective should recognise the non-deviant identities of many drug users in the contemporary era, and challenge the use of a universally stigmatising discourse and dominance of prohibition narratives. Social implications It is envisaged that this paper will contribute to knowledge on how socially competent users of controlled drugs identify and manage the risks of moral, medical and legal censure. Originality/value The evidence in this paper indicates that drug use is an activity often associated with non-deviant, productive members of the population. However, the continuing dominance of stigmatising policy discourses often leads to drug users engaging in identity concealment within the context of a deeply capitalist Western landscape.

LIETUVOS MOKSLEIVIŲ PSICHOTROPINIŲ MEDŽIAGŲ (NARKOTIKŲ) VARTOJIMO, PASEKMIŲ IR PRIEŽASTINIŲ RYŠIŲ TYRIMAS

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Saulius Čaplinskas
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Parental Attachment ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Free Time ◽  
Substance Use Prevention

Objective. To assess prevalence and social dimensions (family, school and peers) of substance use among Lithuanian adolescents and to provide effective recommendations of substance use prevention. Methods. A survey using a standard questionnaire was administered in three biggest cities of Lithuania (Vilnius, Klaipeda and Kaunas) twice: in 2006 and 2008. The target population was students of the age group 15-16 years old. Totally 14,155 students were enrolled. Results. 46 percent of respondents had no experience of any substance use. The most consumed drug was cannabis (hashish and marihuana) – 24 percent, followed by sleeping pills - 20 percent. Age of the substance use debut was directly related to further substance, especially cannabis (hashish or marihuana), use (r=0.891, p<0.001). Substance use had especially negative impact on the learning progress and perspectives of further studies and was related to the attitudes towards learning/school: the less interest in studies, the more extensive substance use (r=-0.151, p≤0.001). Parceived parental support and free time spent with parents were significantly related to the children attitudes towards substance use. Children without parental attachment were more prone to substance use and more submissive to the peer pressure. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use were concurrent: students, who smoked cigarettes more often (r=0.425, p<0.001), consumed beer (r=0.323, p<0.001) more often, consumed low percentage drinks (r=0.255, p<0.001) and strong alcohol more often (r=0.313, p<0.001), were also more intensely immersed drug users. Conclusions. Adolescents engaged in the free-time activities with their parents were less prone to smoke cigarettes or marihuana and consume alcohol. Having friends who use drugs was one of the great potential risk factors for personal drug use. Strengthening of relationships among parents, school, community and adolescents is an important measure in helping adolescents to abstain from substance use.

scholarly journals Psychedelic substance use in the Reddit psychonaut community. A qualitative study on motives and modalities

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Pestana ◽  
Franca Beccaria ◽  
Enrico Petrilli
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Important Change ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Drug

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate motives and modalities of psychedelic substance use in the psychonaut community that is hosted on the Reddit platform (r/psychonaut). Psychonauts are sometimes described as responsible drug users. Elements of responsible use include sharing stories, advice and experiences, reagent testing substances, proper dosing and education on harm reduction and its practical implication. Investigating psychonauts’ substance use can highlight what responsible use means for them and could inform best practices for psychedelic use. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative content analysis of posts and comments on the r/psychonaut subreddit was completed. In total, 350 posts were investigated. A combination of deductive and inductive methods was used to both structure the research and to allow room for novel information. To investigate participant’s motives, this combination was used to both collect and analyse the data. To examine modalities, concepts and keywords were formed out of the collected data and then analysed. Findings Motives for use ranged from self-knowledge, self-investigation and self-medication to increasing artistic expression, curiosity and recreation. Concerning modalities, the respondents put a high emphasis on preparation, set and setting, integration, dosage and gathering and sharing information through research, articles and trip reports. These features are identified in the literature as elements of responsible drug use. This investigation can help by unearthing best practices already in use by the community to inform the bourgeoning movement of psychedelic substance use – both in a medical and self-reflexive setting. Originality/value This paper is framed in the context of paucity of the academic literature on people taking psychedelic substances in Western society in non-rave and non-medical settings, with findings that indicate important change happening in the psychonaut subculture.

scholarly journals Self-reported harm from others’ alcohol, cigarette and illegal drug use in Norway

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Synnøve Moan ◽  
Elin K Bye ◽  
Elisabet E Storvoll ◽  
Ingunn Olea Lund
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illegal Drug ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Population Surveys ◽  
Illegal Drug Use

Aims: While it is documented that substance use harms others than the user, less is known about which substances people experience most harm from, and who the victims and perpetrators are. The aims were: (i) to estimate the prevalence of and overlap in self-reported harm from others’ alcohol, cigarette, and illegal drug use; (ii) to examine potential differences in the prevalence of harm from close relations’ and strangers’ use; and (iii) to examine how the prevalence of harm varies according to demographics and the respondents’ substance use. Methods: Population surveys conducted among 16–64-year-old Norwegians in 2012 and 2016 ( N = 3407) assessed self-reported harm from others’ alcohol, cigarette and illegal drug use with identical measures, demographic variables and the respondents’ substance use. Results: Experience of harm from others’ alcohol use was most common, followed by others’ smoking. For all three substances, a higher proportion experienced harm from close relations’ use. Nearly half had experienced harm from others’ use of at least one substance. Women and younger participants were more likely to report harm from others’ alcohol and cigarette use. While alcohol and illegal drug users were more often harmed by others’ use of these substances, smokers reported being less often harmed by others’ smoking. Conclusions: Self-reported harm from others’ alcohol, cigarette and illegal drug use corresponds with the prevalence of use of these substances in Norway. For all three substances, close relations’ use accounted for more harm than strangers’ use. Own substance use was an important correlate of experienced harm.

Patterns of Substance use in an Immgrant Population in Spain

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
A. Qureshi ◽  
N. Rutow ◽  
C. Visiers ◽  
E. Pedrini ◽  
H.W. Revollo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Drug Use Patterns ◽  
Migratory Process

Aims:The relationship between immigration and drug abuse and its treatment is complex and poorly understood. The objective of this study is to gain insight into patterns of drug use and service access and how they are influenced by social factors and the migratory process in a population of foreign born drug users in Barcelona, Spain.Methods:An interview protocol was developed for the study which examined drug use patterns, social and health factors, and treatment, and was administered to 118 foreign born users in harm reduction centers. 92% were male and 8% were female. 42% were from Eastern Europe, 35% were from the Magreb, 14% from the European Community, 6% from Subsaharan Africa and 3% from Latin America.Results:With migration opium use decreased whereas cocaine, heroin, and speedball increased, which also constitute the primary drug used by this sample. Social support was correlated with greater consumption of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol, whereas lower social stress was predictive of higher cannabis use. Hard drug use was predicted by illegal status and a lack of stable housing. Acculturation and acclturative stress were not found to be related to substance use. Treatment was positively evaluated, with no perception of lower quality of care.Discussion:Drug use patterns shift with the migratory process, and, it would appear, adapt to the dominant local ones. The unexpecting findings regarding social factors and acculturation and acculturative stress may indicate differences in the Spanish drug use context, and as such warrant further research.

Substance use, mental health, chronic medical conditions and criminal justice contact in a nationally representative sample

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Kopak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Medical Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
Criminal Justice Contact

Purpose The amount of overlap between criminal justice practices and public health is growing and more research is needed to guide new initiatives. This study was designed to assess the relationships between various chronic medical conditions, substance use severity, mental health indicators and criminal justice contact using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Design/methodology/approach Analyses were conducted in three stages to comprehensively examine the relationships between various indicators of physical health, mental health, substance use severity and criminal justice contact. Findings Results demonstrate indicators of substance use severity surpass physical and mental health conditions as stronger determinants of any criminal justice contact, as well as repeated interactions with police. In addition, combinations of multiple conditions increase the likelihood of criminal justice involvement, but substance use remains a consistent factor contributing to the strongest associations. These findings highlight the importance of capitalizing on the initial point of criminal justice contact to address substance use to prevent further and subsequent involvement in the system. Research limitations/implications Criminal justice initiatives based on least harm solutions require evidence to support public health-oriented approaches. The unique approach to examining the intersection of criminal justice practices and health provided in this study can be used to inform alternates to arrest. Practical implications The least harmful practices should be adopted to address health conditions at the time of criminal justice contact. These practices should focus heavily on injection drug use as a primary factor associated with the prior arrest. Practices designed to divert arrestees with health conditions away from jails are needed. Law enforcement practices can significantly benefit from public health-oriented approaches. Originality/value Criminal justice initiatives based on least harm solutions require evidence to support public health-oriented approaches. The unique approach to examining the intersection of criminal justice practices and health provided in this study can be used to inform alternates to arrest.

Do risk factors increase measurement of hepatitis B, C signs and HIV-AIDS among middle-aged and older IDUs in southwest Iran?

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-238
Author(s):  
Abdolrahim Asadollahi ◽  
Abdolkarim Najafi
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Injecting Drug Use ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Southwest Iran ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Hiv Aids

Purpose Injecting drug use addiction is a main factor in hepatitis B, C infection and HIV–AIDS infection. The purpose of this paper is to measure seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C virus and HIV–AIDS amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) and its influencing factors. Design/methodology/approach The cross-sectional method was used in mid-2017 in Ahwaz city, southwest Iran. In total, 133 IDUs, aged 29–71 years (mean age=48.21 ± 10.4), were chosen from Aria addiction treatment centre. The data were collected on demographic and behavioural characteristics. In addition, serum samples were screened for those diseases. Findings In a total of 131 IDUs, 2 (1.5 per cent) were HIV+, 16 (11.7 per cent) HCV+ and 8 (6.1 per cent) HBV+. There was a significant correlation between diseases and IDU. Results of multiple regression stated that IDU was a more predicting variable as β=0.76 and the model was able to predict 74.1 per cent of the variance, F (3, 35)=12.42, ρ<0.001, R2=0.741, OR=3.01, 95% CI [1.44, 3.83]. The synchronised pairwise effect of age, imprisonment and IDU with GLM analysis was significant, F (2, 114)=20.433, ρ<0.000, η HCV + 2 = 0.609 , η HBV + 2 = 0.616 , and η HCV + 2 = 0.612 , λWilks’=0.056. The infection rate among IDUs was significant and the most important risk factor for these infections has been intravenous drug use, together with age of misusing and imprisonment. Research limitations/implications The non-cooperation of two samples, lack of participation of three addiction rehabilitation centres in Ahwaz city, the end of cooperation in the first two months of the implementation of the plan, and the lack of consistency of the three serum samples in the cases (two cases) were limitations of the study. Practical implications Based on the results, the following suggestions could be presented: establishing “Intervention Clubs” for treatment in the peripheral urban areas for the participation of women drug users – the responsible organisation is Cultural and Social Deputy of Ahwaz Municipality Organisation. Integration of “Small Self-caring Groups” in Sepidar Women’s Penitentiary in the East Ahwaz region – the responsible organisation is Khuzistan Province Prisons Organisation (the southwestern Iranian prisons authority); constructing “Community-based Committees” to increase the level of social intervention – the responsible organisation is the Iran Drug Control Headquarters at Iranian Presidential Office; screening of injecting drug use in the populations at risk, especially girls and women in marginalised areas – the responsible organisation is Deputy Director of Prevention and Treatment of Addiction in the Iran Welfare and Rehabilitation Organisation; establishing an “Patient Treatment Center” in high-risk areas along with directing drug users and supervising the relevant authorities – the responsible organisation is Deputy Police Commander on Social Assistance; providing education to families involved with addiction in the “Neighborhood Parks” – the responsible organisation is Deputy for Health Affairs. Social implications They are mixed with practical implications as well. Originality/value The comprehensive harm reduction plan and prison-related issues of IDUs with shared syringe along with the pairwise age and imprisonment need to consider the above factors.

scholarly journals Discriminative Characteristics of Marginalised Novel Psychoactive Users: a Transnational Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1128-1147
Author(s):  
Katalin Felvinczi ◽  
Annemieke Benschop ◽  
Róbert Urbán ◽  
Marie Claire Van Hout ◽  
Katarzyna Dąbrowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Controlled Drugs

Abstract New psychoactive substances (NPS) continue to be considered as a major public health concern in many European countries. The study was implemented within the framework of a transnational project of six European countries (Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal). Our aim here is to report on the distinct and differentiating characteristics of marginalised NPS users. Three subgroups of a total of 3023 adult NPS users (socially marginalised, night life, online community) were examined regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, substance use, and external motives towards NPS use. Poland and Hungary reported higher rates of NPS use in comparison to traditional controlled drugs. The external/contextual motives did not play a central role in the background of NPS use, the least important motives were alleged legality and non-detectability of these substances. Marginalised (defined as those accessing low threshold harm reduction services) users’ substance use patterns are different from the other two groups in terms of showing more intense and riskier drug use. The most important variables which contributed to be categorised as a marginalised NPS user were lower level education, being older, having an unfavourable labour market position and using drugs intravenously. Contextual motives did not play a decisive role in being categorised as a marginalised user when drug use pattern was controlled. These identified discriminative features of marginalised drug users should inform policy makers to develop and implement tailor-made interventions targeting this user group to successfully tackle the elevated public health concerns associated with NPS use.

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