scholarly journals Are drug consumption facilities an effective intervention to reduce drug related mortality? A critical review of the literature

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S273-S273
Author(s):  
Holly Melvin
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Advisory Council ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Clear Effect ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Fatal Overdose ◽  
Overdose Mortality

AimsTo critically appraise the literature regarding the effect of Drug Consumption Facilities in reducing overdose mortalityDrug consumption facilities (DCF) are places where people can use illicit drugs in the presence of medically trained staff, they aim to reduce fatal overdose risk, reduce risky injecting practices, and to serve as a bridge for users into mainstream treatment, healthcare and social services. Increasing numbers of fatal overdoses due to illicit drug use are a significant public health concern. The UK's statutory independent advisory body (the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) has recommended DCFs as a mechanism to reduce fatal overdoses due to illicit drugs. However, current UK legislation prohibits their provision.MethodSystematic extraction of relevant literature from PubMed, using a search string with a focus on observational cohort studies with fatal overdose as the outcome. Appraisal of identified papers using the CASP toolResult184 papers were identified, two of these met the inclusion criteria. Quality was fair/good. Neither demonstrated a clear effect of DCFs in reducing overdose mortalityConclusionIt is difficult to draw firm conclusions due to design weaknesses and potential confounding variables. Robust design is difficult in this research area, due to lack of suitability for RCTs. Despite the lack of a clear effect on overdose mortality, DCFs may exert other positive effects and are a pragmatic and humane response to reducing risk in this target population

Testing the Theory of Communication and Uncertainty Management in the Context of Digital Transformation with Transformational Leadership as a Moderator

2021 ◽  
pp. 232948842110239
Author(s):  
Masaki Matsunaga
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Uncertainty Management ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

Digital transformation provokes a great deal of uncertainty among employees. To gain insights into how employees manage the uncertainty driven by digital transformation and also how leaders can support them, this study has drawn on the theory of communication and uncertainty management (TCUM), which posits that the impact of uncertainty varies by how individuals appraise it and social support enhances positive appraisal. Based on those tenets, the current study advanced the following hypotheses: (a) uncertainty has direct and indirect negative effects on employees’ appraisal of digital transformation, self-efficacy, and job performance; (b) in contrast, direct supervisors’ transformational leadership has direct and indirect positive effects on appraisal, self-efficacy, and job performance; and also (c) transformational leadership moderates the impact of uncertainty. SEM with 4-wave time-separated data ( N = 873 employee-supervisor dyads in Japan) found support for these hypotheses. The obtained findings are discussed with reference to TCUM, transformational leadership, and other relevant literature.

scholarly journals Introductory Information Systems Course Redesign: Better Preparing Business Students

10.28945/4058 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 113-126
Author(s):  
Gina Harden ◽  
Robert M. Crocker ◽  
Kelly Noe
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Advisory Council ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Course Redesign ◽  
College Of Business ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complete Overhaul

Aim/Purpose: The dynamic nature of the information systems (IS) field presents educators with the perpetual challenge of keeping course offerings current and relevant. This paper describes the process at a College of Business (COB) to redesign the introductory IS course to better prepare students for advanced business classes and equip them with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills demanded in today’s workplace. Background: The course was previously in the Computer Science (CSC) Department, itself within the COB. However, an administrative restructuring resulted in the CSC department’s removal from the COB and left the core course in limbo. Methodology: This paper presents a case study using focus groups with students, faculty, and advisory council members to assess the value of the traditional introductory course. A survey was distributed to students after implementation of the newly developed course to assess the reception of the course. Contribution: This paper provides an outline of the decision-making process leading to the course redesign of the introductory IS course, including the context and the process of a new course development. Practical suggestions for implementing and teaching an introductory IS course in a business school are given. Findings: Focus group assessment revealed that stakeholders rated the existing introductory IS course of minimal value as students progressed through the COB program, and even less upon entering the workforce. The findings indicated a complete overhaul of the course was required. Recommendations for Practitioners: The subject of technology sometimes requires more than a simple update to the curriculum. When signs point to the need for a complete overhaul, this paper gives practical guidance supplemented with relevant literature for other academicians to follow. Recommendation for Researchers: Students are faced with increasing pressure to be proficient with the latest technology, in both the classroom where educators are trying to prepare them for the modern workplace, as well as the organization which faces an even greater pressure to leverage the latest technology. The newly designed introductory IS course provides students, and eventually organizations, a better measure of this proficiency. Future Research: Future research on the efficacy of this new course design should include longitudinal data to determine the impact on graduates, and eventually the assessment of those graduates’ performance in the workplace.

scholarly journals Investigation on heroin and cocaine quality in Luxembourg

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adèle Bourmaud ◽  
Georges Dahm ◽  
François Meys ◽  
Nicolas Gengler ◽  
Alain Origer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Statistical Evaluation ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
Harm Prevention ◽  
Local Levels

Abstract Background Heroin and cocaine are among the most dangerous illicit drugs available and their presence on the market is increasing. These facts have led to the investigation of the quality of heroin and cocaine samples seized in Luxembourg by police and customs but also collected at the national supervised drug consumption facilities. Methods Samples obtained from 2019 to 2020 were analyzed to determine their composition and content using GC–MS, HPLC-UV and LC-Q-ToF. The statistical evaluation of concentration changes depending on the source of collection is based on an ANOVA single factor test and a two-tailed t test. Results Results showed important differences between seizure and collection sources. For both drugs, customs samples had significantly higher concentrations than police samples and the latter had significantly higher concentrations than samples from drug consumption facilities, whereas for heroin two cutting steps were identified, for cocaine samples only one appears to occur on the local market. Indeed, cocaine samples seized by police consisted of a mixture of low and high concentration samples. Conclusion The results show that extensive adulteration with pharmacological active and inactive compounds takes place at local levels, which, however, are different for heroin and cocaine. This knowledge on variability of quality of drugs should be considered in the elaboration of drug and harm prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Policy framework for building integrated care for TB patients in Romania: setting up the scene

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Furtunescu ◽  
A Serban ◽  
B Mahler ◽  
I Munteanu
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Global Fund ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Vulnerable Population ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Tb Control ◽  
Medical Needs

Abstract Problem Romania put many efforts for TB control, but despite a constant decreasing trend since almost two decades, TB remained a public health concern, due to the notification rate (highest in EU), the number of resistant cases and the mortality. A national strategy for TB control has been issues for 2015-2020, but its implementation was fragmentary. Description of the Problem Benefiting for a series of programs financed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Romania performed a detailed analysis of the national context, on four pillars (governance and accountability, service delivery, organizational capacity, resources). Quantitative data collected through routine systems were combined to interviews with key informers and focus groups with medical staff, patients and NGOs active in supporting key vulnerable population. Results A national framework for strengthening the implementation of the strategy was set up under a Tailored to Transition Global Fund Grant. This framework put together the policy and the technical levels and the civil society sector. Main interventions aimed to strengthen the governance, to improve the procurement and supply mechanism, to develop the ambulatory patient-centered model of care and to create tools for improving the access of key vulnerable population to basic integrated medical and social services. Lessons Translating the good practice models developed by the NGO sector to permanent (governmental) structures was difficult due to more rigorous legislative framework for public systems. Key messages Multisectoral approach is essential for building integrated care for TB patients. Integration of services should focus not only to complex medical needs, but also to the social ones.

scholarly journals Drug-Related Deaths Among Young People Involved in The Criminal Justice System: A Whole-Population Multi-Sectoral Data Linkage Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse T Young ◽  
Holly Tibble ◽  
Rohan Borschmann ◽  
Stuart A Kinner
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Linkage Study ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
System A

IntroductionDrug-related death is substantially higher in formerly incarcerated adults compared to the general population. Despite this, remarkably little is known about the epidemiology of drug-related death among justice-involved adolescents. A richer understanding of drug-related mortality in justice-involved young people is essential for the development of effective, evidence-based interventions for this vulnerable group. Objectives and ApproachIn a whole-population cohort of justice-involved young people in Queensland, Australia, we aimed to: 1) calculate the rate of drug-related death overall, and separately by intent and drug category; and 2) estimate the probability, and identify the predictors of, drug-related death. We probabilistically linked Youth Justice Queensland and National Death Index (NDI) records for every young person who came into contact with the youth justice system in Queensland between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2014 (N=48,963). The NDI provided death data until 31 December 2017. Crude mortality rates (CMR) were calculatedoverall, separately by intent, and by prescribed versus illicit drug cause. Competing risk survival analysis will be conducted. ResultsOf the 48,963 individuals, 1452 (3%) died by 31 December 2017. Of these, 204 (14%) deaths were due to drugs, yielding a CMR of 31 (95%CI:27-36) per 100,000 person-years. Most drug-related deaths were recorded as intentional (CMR=28; 95%CI:24-33 per 100,000 person-years) and deaths from prescribed medications were more common than illicit drugs (CMR=17; 95%CI:14-20 and CMR=11; 95%CI:9-14 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). Conclusion / ImplicationsRates of drug-related deaths following contact with the youth justice system are disproportionately high and represent a major public health concern. Our findings highlight the importance of initiation of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment upon contact with the youth justice system and continuous engagement with community treatment after discharge from the youth justice system. Evidenced-base prevention strategies and efforts to improve the continuity of care are urgently needed.

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.

What Words Can’t Say

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis M. Elder
Keyword(s):  
Moral Psychology ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ethical Analysis ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Positive Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects

Purpose This paper aims to survey the moral psychology of emoji, time-restricted messaging and other non-verbal elements of nominally textual computer-mediated communication (CMC). These features are increasingly common in interpersonal communication. Effects on both individual well-being and quality of intimate relationships are assessed. Results of this assessment are used to support ethical conclusions about these elements of digital communication. Design/methodology/approach Assessment of these non-verbal elements of CMC is framed in light of relevant literature from a variety of fields, including neuroscience, behavioral economics and social psychology. The resulting ethical analysis is informed by both Aristotelian and Buddhist virtue ethics. Findings This paper finds that emoji and other nonverbal elements of CMC have positive potential for individual well-being and interpersonal communication. They can be used to focus and direct attention, express and acknowledge difficult emotions and increase altruistic tendencies. Research limitations/implications This paper is conceptual, extrapolating from existing literature to investigate possibilities rather than reporting on novel experiments. It is not intended to substitute for empirical research on use patterns and their effects. But by identifying positive potential, it can help both users and designers to support individual and relational well-being. Practical implications The positive effects identified here can be incorporated into both design and use strategies for CMC. Social implications Situating ethical analysis of these trending technologies within literature from the social sciences on the effects of stylized faces, disappearing messages and directed attention can help us both understand their appeal to users and best practices for using them to enrich our social lives. Originality/value The paper uses empirically informed moral psychology to understand a deceptively trivial-looking phenomenon with wide-ranging impacts on human psychology and relationships.

Resources for Persons with AIDS and their Caregivers

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Batista ◽  
Kelly L. Cozza
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Basic Reference ◽  
Ethical And Legal Issues

This chapter was developed as a basic reference list of resources for HIV clinicians to help them meet the various needs of persons with AIDS throughout the lifespan. The resources listed are by no means exhaustive or comprehensive, as there is a plethora of relevant literature, Web sites, and interest groups—too many to fit into a single chapter! Instead, this is a set of resources that the authors have found particularly useful when seeking answers to treatment-and social services–related questions at the bedside as well as in ambulatory and community settings. At the time of publication, these resources had been updated regularly and consistently; technology related to HIV evolves on an almost daily basis. A mixture of print and Internet-based resources is provided here—some will be useful to keep in the office setting for perusal or for patients, and some can be obtained on the Internet at a moment’s notice when the need arises. Many of the listings are for Web sites that can aid clinicians in accessing the most current information available on the Internet, which can change almost daily. The sites listed were current as of April 28, 2009. The resources in this section are intended primarily to aid health-care providers in accessing up-to-date answers to questions regarding diagnoses and treatments as well as ethical and legal issues. There are also several sources for patient education materials. While many of these resources are from U.S.-based organizations, much of the information contained within them is applicable in international practice settings. There is also a section related exclusively to population-based and international resources, pertaining to specific ethnic groups or areas outside of the United States. A primary care guideline for the care of persons with HIV is available in print (Aberg et al., 2009) and online and is updated regularly at: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/page/cid/IDSAguidelines.html. National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project: http://www.natap.org/ This organization lists upcoming conference and events, articles, and publications.

scholarly journals Drug use and Visual-Motor Integration in a Sample of Hispanic Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1249-1249
Author(s):  
B Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Puerto Rican Women ◽  
Visual Motor Integration ◽  
Neurocognitive Functions ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective The use of illicit drugs has increased dramatically over the past two decades among Hispanics. Neurocognitive impairments and morphological alterations have been linked to the use of drugs among the Hispanic population. However, even when increased attention is paid to the impact of drug consumption on neurocognitive functions among Hispanics, the majority of publications have been limited to male samples. This is relatively important, considering that women who consume illicit drugs appear to be more vulnerable in developing drug dependence and exhibit more neurocognitive impairment when compared to men. The present study aims to determine the impact of drug consumption in the visual-motor integration in a sample of Puerto Rican women. Our hypothesis was that Puerto Rican women who consume illicit drugs would perform poorly on visual-motor integration when compared to non-consumers. Participants and Method A total of 59 Puerto Rican women participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants were divided into three groups according to the criteria of: consumers, non-consumers, and abstinence. To evaluate the visual-motor integration, we administered the neuropsychological Bender-Gestalt-II test to all participants. Results A Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed that there was a statically significant difference in the visual-motor integration between groups (H(2) = 12.69, p = 0.02), with a mean rank of 28 for consumers, 40 for non-consumers, and 21 for abstinence group. However, there was no significant difference between the abstinence and consumer groups in their visual-motor integration (p = .217). Conclusions These results suggest that the use of drugs can impact some neurocognitive functions, such as visual-motor integration in women, and can lead to a decline in such functions- even after sustained abstinence.

scholarly journals From doubt to trust: Swedish mothers’ and counsellors’ experience testing a parenting programme for mothers exposed to intimate partner violence whose children have developed behavioural problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 972-983
Author(s):  
Helena Draxler ◽  
Renée McDonald ◽  
Fredrik Hjärthag ◽  
Kjerstin Almqvist
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Us ◽  
Organizational Differences ◽  
Families With Children

Many countries seek evidence-based interventions for children who have been exposed to domestic violence, and they frequently turn to interventions developed in the US and disseminated to Europe as a solution. Societal and cultural differences may, however, pose barriers to successful implementation. Project Support (PS), piloted in this study through social services agencies in Sweden, has shown positive effects in the US for families with children who have been exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). The aim of this study was to investigate counselors’ and caregivers’ experiences when giving/receiving PS in Sweden. The study was based on interviews conducted with 11 mothers and 13 counselors with experience in the programme. A thematic analysis showed three themes (Initial doubts, Confidence from positive change, and Flexibility- challenge for the organization) and the study adds information about obstacles for implementation of PS in Sweden. Cultural and organizational differences between Sweden and the US in practice and child-rearing attitudes are highlighted, as well as the importance of making adjustments while maintaining treatment fidelity, and promoting the dissemination of the approach.

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