Illicit Drug use in the Australian Capital Territory: Implications for the Feasibility of a “Heroin Trial”

1993 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McDonald ◽  
Adele Stevens ◽  
Phyll Dance ◽  
Gabriele Bammer
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Illegal Drug ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Heroin Users ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Impact

The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health and the Australian Institute of Criminology are jointly engaged in a study of the feasibility of conducting a trial to provide heroin and other opioids to current heroin users in a controlled manner. (This is referred to by the short-hand of a “heroin trial”.) Heroin and other illicit drug use in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is being researched as part of this process. We present a brief overview of the demographics of the ACT, the patterns of illegal drug use, drug prices, trends in drug use, the impact of illegal drug use and estimates of the number of heroin users in the ACT. Illicit opioid users in the ACT are not an homogeneous group of people and most are far removed from the stereotypical “junkie”. Existing data suggests that the ACT may have some 1,000 dependent heroin users and over 3,000 non-dependent users, but more work is required to develop a more precise estimate of numbers. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data is essential for highlighting the potential advantages and disadvantages of a trial and for determining whether or not a trial is feasible.

Interventions by Students in Friends' Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald G. Smart ◽  
Gina Stoduto
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Illegal Drug ◽  
Illegal Drugs ◽  
Drug Education ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
At Home

This article investigates self-reported interventions by students in the alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug use, and drinking-driving of their friends. The data came from a study of 1184 students in Ontario schools in grades 7, 9, 11, and 13. We found that about a third of students intervened in friends' illegal drug use and drinking-driving but about half intervened about smoking. Students who intervened were more likely to be older and spend fewer nights at home. They were less likely to use cannabis, but had more friends using cannabis and illegal drugs. Also, they had more exposure to drug education and were more disapproving of drug use. Drug education may give students the knowledge and confidence to intervene in friends' drug use.

scholarly journals ILLICIT DRUG USE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN LITHUANIA: AGE, GENDER DIFFERENCES AND CORRELATION WITH LIFESTYLE

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Liudmila Rupšienė ◽  
Ingrida Baranauskienė ◽  
Regina Saveljeva ◽  
Aleksandra Batuchina
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Illegal Drug ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
Research Results

The article presents the research aiming at answering a question <em>What is the illegal drug use among university students in Lithuania and what is its correlation with the age, gender and lifestyle</em>? The research data was obtained from 18 Lithuanian universities involved in the research. The questionnaire’s questions were answered by 1087 students: 37 % male and 63 % female students. The average age of the respondents was 21 years; minimal age was 18, maximum was 29. The ESPAD questionnaire <cite>was adapted for the research. Some research results proved earlier results of research studies carried out in Lithuania; however, new tendencies significant to practice of prevention of drug use were revealed as well.</cite>

scholarly journals Does parental permissiveness toward cigarette smoking and alcohol use influence illicit drug use among adolescents? A longitudinal study in seven European countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emina Mehanović ◽  
Federica Vigna-Taglianti ◽  
Fabrizio Faggiano ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galanti ◽  
Barbara Zunino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
European Countries ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Adolescents’ perceptions of parental norms may influence their substance use. The relationship between parental norms toward cigarette and alcohol use, and the use of illicit substances among their adolescent children is not sufficiently investigated. The purpose of this study was to analyze this relationship, including gender differences, using longitudinal data from a large population-based study. Methods The present study analyzed longitudinal data from 3171 12- to 14-year-old students in 7 European countries allocated to the control arm of the European Drug Addiction Prevention trial. The impact of parental permissiveness toward cigarettes and alcohol use reported by the students at baseline on illicit drug use at 6-month follow-up was analyzed through multilevel logistic regression models, stratified by gender. Whether adolescents’ own use of cigarette and alcohol mediated the association between parental norms and illicit drug use was tested through mediation models. Results Parental permissive norms toward cigarette smoking and alcohol use at baseline predicted adolescents’ illicit drug use at follow-up. The association was stronger among boys than among girls and was mediated by adolescents’ own cigarette and alcohol use. Conclusion Perceived parental permissiveness toward the use of legal drugs predicted adolescents’ use of illicit drugs, especially among boys. Parents should be made aware of the importance of norm setting, and supported in conveying clear messages of disapproval of all substances.

scholarly journals The Impact of Illicit Drug Use on Spontaneous Hepatitis C Clearance: Experience from a Large Cohort Population Study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. e23830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Poustchi ◽  
Saeed Esmaili ◽  
Ashraf Mohamadkhani ◽  
Aghbibi Nikmahzar ◽  
Akram Pourshams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Population Study ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Large Cohort ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Impact of Abstinence and of Reducing Illicit Drug Use Without Abstinence on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M Nance ◽  
Maria Esther Perez Trejo ◽  
Bridget M Whitney ◽  
Joseph A C Delaney ◽  
Fredrick L Altice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Substance use is common among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) and a barrier to achieving viral suppression. Among PLWH who report illicit drug use, we evaluated associations between HIV viral load (VL) and reduced use of illicit opioids, methamphetamine/crystal, cocaine/crack, and marijuana, regardless of whether or not abstinence was achieved. Methods This was a longitudinal cohort study of PLWH from 7 HIV clinics or 4 clinical studies. We used joint longitudinal and survival models to examine the impact of decreasing drug use and of abstinence for each drug on viral suppression. We repeated analyses using linear mixed models to examine associations between change in frequency of drug use and VL. Results The number of PLWH who were using each drug at baseline ranged from n = 568 (illicit opioids) to n = 4272 (marijuana). Abstinence was associated with higher odds of viral suppression (odds ratio [OR], 1.4–2.2) and lower relative VL (ranging from 21% to 42% by drug) for all 4 drug categories. Reducing frequency of illicit opioid or methamphetamine/crystal use without abstinence was associated with VL suppression (OR, 2.2, 1.6, respectively). Reducing frequency of illicit opioid or methamphetamine/crystal use without abstinence was associated with lower relative VL (47%, 38%, respectively). Conclusions Abstinence was associated with viral suppression. In addition, reducing use of illicit opioids or methamphetamine/crystal, even without abstinence, was also associated with viral suppression. Our findings highlight the impact of reducing substance use, even when abstinence is not achieved, and the potential benefits of medications, behavioral interventions, and harm-reduction interventions.

Correlates of Illicit Drug Use Among Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Test of Social Support Theory

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (14) ◽  
pp. 4510-4527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqun Cao ◽  
Velmer S. Burton ◽  
Liu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Drug Usage ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
Support Theory ◽  
Support Measures

Relying on a national stratified random sample of Indigenous peoples aged 19 years old and above in Canada, this study investigates the correlates of illicit drug use among Indigenous peoples, paying special attention to the association between social support measures and illegal drug use. Results from multivariate logistical regression show that measures of social support, such as residential mobility, strength of ties within communities, and lack of timely counseling, are statistically significant correlates of illicit drug use. Those identifying as Christian are significantly less likely to use illegal drugs. This is the first nationwide analysis of the illicit drug usage of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The results are robust because we have controlled for a range of comorbidity variables as well as a series of sociodemographic variables. Policy implications from these findings are discussed.

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