scholarly journals Potential of an Interactive Drug Prevention Mobile Phone App (Once Upon a High): Questionnaire Study Among Students (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Máté Kapitány-Fövény ◽  
Eszter Vagdalt ◽  
Zsófia Ruttkay ◽  
Róbert Urbán ◽  
Mara J Richman ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND In recent years, drug prevention networks and drug education programs have started using Web-based or mobile phone apps as novel prevention tools, testing their efficacy compared with face-to-face prevention. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the potential of an interactive app called Once Upon a High (VoltEgySzer). METHODS The app approaches drug prevention from 6 different aspects, and it addresses youngsters with 6 different modules: (1) interactive comics/cartoons, telling stories of recovery; (2) quiz game; (3) roleplay game; (4) introduction of psychoactive drugs; (5) information on the somatic and psychological effects of psychoactive substances; (6) list of available treatment units, rehabs, and self-support groups in Hungary. Students of 2 vocational schools and 2 high schools filled out a questionnaire at a baseline (T0) and a 2-month follow-up (T1) data collection session. Students of 1 vocational school and 1 high school downloaded the Once Upon a High app (app group), whereas students from the other vocational school and high school did not (nonapp group). The time points of T0 and T1 questionnaires contained demographic variables, items with regard to substance use characteristics for both legal and illegal substances, including novel psychoactive substance, exercise habits, knowledge about psychoactive substances, attitudes toward substance users and validated instruments measuring the severity of tobacco (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence), alcohol (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), cannabis (Cannabis Abuse Screening Test), and synthetic cannabinoid consumption. Beliefs about substance use (Beliefs About Substance Abuse) and perceived self-efficacy (General Perceived Self-Efficacy) were also measured. At T1, members of the app group provided additional evaluation of the app. RESULTS There were 386 students who participated in the T0 session. After dropout, 246 students took part in T1 data collection procedure. Alcohol was the most frequently consumed psychoactive substance (334/364, 91.8% lifetime use), followed by tobacco (252/386, 65.3%, lifetime use) and cannabis (43/323, 13.3% lifetime use). Decreased self-efficacy (beta=−.29, P=.04) and increased daily physical exercise frequencies (beta=.04, P<.001) predicted higher frequencies of past month energy drink consumption, whereas elevated past month alcohol consumption was mainly predicted by a decrease in negative attitudes toward substance users (beta=−.13, P=.04) in the regression models. Once Upon a High was found to be effective only in reducing energy drink consumption (beta=−1.13, P=.04) after controlling for design effect, whereas perceived utility of the app showed correlation with a decreasing alcohol use (rS(44)=.32, P=.03). The roleplay module of the app was found to be the most preferred aspect of the app by the respondents. CONCLUSIONS The Once Upon a High app can be a useful tool to assist preventive intervention programs by increasing knowledge and self-efficacy; however, its efficacy in reducing or preventing substance use needs to be improved and further studied. Additional potential impacts of the app need further testing.

Author(s):  
Nicole Guadalupe Vallejo Alviter ◽  
Jorge Luis Arellanez Hernández ◽  
Catalina Francisca González Forteza ◽  
Fernando Wagner Echeagaray

This research studies impulsiveness and family conflict as predictors of illegal psychoactive substance use. The objective of this research was to analyze the differences in impulsiveness and family conflict between high school student users and non-users of illegal psychoactive substances. A quantitative methodology through a cross-sectional, correlational study was carried out. A questionnaire composed by the Plutchik scale of impulsiveness, some items of the Climent, Aragón and Plutchik Scale of Impulsivity and indicators to explore consumption of psychoactive substances. The sample was composed by 344 high school students of the municipality of Emiliano Zapata in Veracruz, México. The results show that 9.0% have consumed illegal drugs. A correlation was found between family conflict, impulsivity and use of psychoactive substances. We found that impulsivity and risk taking are predictors of illegal drug use. The results show that impulsivity is a factor related to drug use and it is necessary to design interventions that favor management of emotions and decision making in adolescents, as well as the participation of the family in substance use prevention programs. 


Author(s):  
Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga ◽  
Lydie Masengo ◽  
Hayley A. Hamilton ◽  
Jean-Philippe Chaput

This study examined the association between energy drink consumption and substance use among adolescents and tested whether sex and/or grade level (i.e., middle vs. high school) moderate the association. Data were derived from the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, a representative survey of students in 7th to 12th grade. Analyses included 10,662 students who self-reported information on energy drink consumption and substance use. Poisson regression models were used with adjustments for important covariates. Energy drink consumption was associated with tobacco cigarette smoking (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 3.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.22–4.35), cannabis use (IRR: 2.90; 95% CI: 2.53–3.32), binge drinking (IRR: 2.46; 95% CI: 2.05–2.96), opioid use (IRR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.85–2.68), and alcohol use (IRR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.26–1.36). The associations of energy drink consumption with tobacco cigarette smoking, cannabis use, and alcohol consumption were modified by grade level (two-way interaction terms p < 0.05). The association between energy drink consumption and substance use was generally much stronger among middle school students compared with high school students. The findings suggest that middle school students may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of energy drinks in relation with substance use.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward MacRae

The article deals with the different effects of tolerant and prohibitionist policies associated with psychoactive substance use in Brazil. Whereas the licit use of ayahuasca has been successfully incorporated into mainstream Brazilian society, the ritual use of cannabis by one of the Santo Daime religious groups has never been fully accepted and remains a constant source of problems for the ayahuasca churches, their followers and society at large.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042110337
Author(s):  
Elena Beccegato ◽  
Angelo Ruggeri ◽  
Massimo Montisci ◽  
Claudio Terranova

A comparative case study (2017–2020) was conducted to identify demographic, social, medico-legal, and toxicological variables associated with non-fatal accidents in driving under the influence (DUI) subjects. A second aim was to identify the factors predictive of substance use disorders among subjects. Drivers charged with alcohol DUI (blood alcohol concentration (BAC) > 0.5) and/or psychoactive substance DUI were included; cases included those involved in an accident while intoxicated, and the comparison group included DUI offenders negative for road accident involvement. Significance was determined by chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. To prevent confounding effects, a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Our sample encompassed 882 subjects (381 in the case group and 501 in the comparison group). Parameters such as psychoactive substances and BAC at the time of the road crash/DUI and the day of the week, when subjects were involved in the road accident or found DUI, resulted in significant differences ( p < 0.01) between groups. The model’s independent variables of BAC > 1.5 g/L ( p = 0.013), BAC > 2.5 g/L ( p < 0.001), and concurrent alcohol and psychoactive substance use ( p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for an accident. Smoking >20 cigarettes/day was an independent risk factor for unfitness to drive ( p < 0.01). Unfitness to drive was based primarily on ethyl glucuronide levels >30 pg/mg. Our results suggest a detailed assessment of DUI subjects with variables associated with accidents (BAC > 1.5 g/L and concurrent intake of psychoactive substances). Hair analysis, including ethylglucuronide (EtG) concentration, should be always performed. Based on our results, nicotine use should be investigated in cases of driving license regranting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syarifah Ivonesti ◽  
Rany Fitriany ◽  
Laily Maghviroh

ABSTRACT: OUTBOND TRAINING TO INCREASE SELF EFFICACY IN VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENT This study aims to see the effect of outbound training in increasing self-efficacy of vocational students. Data collection using a self-efficacy scale, interviews and observations. The research design used was The one Group Pretest-postest Design. The analysis used two related sample tests with the Wilcoxon test and qualitative analysis to describe the effect of outbound training to increase self-efficacy in vocational students. The results showed that there was an effect of outbound training on the self-efficacy of vocational students. The influence is positive, which means that when vocational students receive outbound training, the self-efficacy of vocational students will get positive changes related to self-efficacy. Keywords: Outbond Training, Self efficacy, Vocational Students Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pengaruh pelatihan outbound dalam meningkatkan self efficacy siswa SMK. Pengumpulan data menggunakan skala self efficacy, wawancara dan observasi. Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah The one Group Pretest-postest Design. Analisis menggunakan two related sample test dengan uji Wilcoxon dan analisis kualitatif untuk mendeskripsikan pengaruh pelatihan outbound untuk meningkatkan self efficacy pada siswa SMK. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada pengaruh pelatihan outbound terhadap self efficacy siswa SMK. Adapun bentuk pengaruhnya adalah positif, yang artinya ketika siswa SMK mendapatkan pelatihan outbound maka self efficacy siswa SMK akan mendapatkan perubahan yang positif terkait self efficacynya. Kata kunci: Pelatihan Oubound, Self Efficacy, Siswa SMK


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Maciej Brosz

Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used psychoactive substances both in Europe and Poland. In the last four years the proportion of marijuana users in the adult population of Gdańsk has almost doubled: from 7.1% in 2015 to 14.1% in 2019. The surveys concerning the consumption of alcohol conducted every four years since 2007 indicate a significant fact: the proportion of people who drink is decreasing. However, this does not mean that they drink less or less often. A question elaborated in this article is whether marijuana users consume more or less alcohol than non-users. This article is based on the data collected in a questionnaire survey on alcohol and other psychoactive substance use conducted in Gdańsk in the autumn of 2019 on a representative sample of 1,004 adult residents of the city.


2022 ◽  
pp. 174-179
Author(s):  
R. M. Sadykov ◽  
N. L. Bolshakova

The article considers a number of factors that influence the use of psychoactive substances by young people in Russia: psychological, social, economic, medico-biological, spiritual and moral and others. The main reasons for psychoactive substance use among this age group are: neglect by parents, psychoactive substance use by parents and other relatives, abuse by parents and guardians, low family income, conflicts and lack of understanding of the age-specific characteristics of adolescents by parents, low motivation to study, low status among peer groups, youth informal groups. In addition to risk factors, protection factors – circumstances that reduce the likelihood of a person becoming involved with psychoactive substances have also been identified: a strong family, with a healthy and supportive psychological atmosphere, success in educational activities, parental involvement in the life of their children, etc. 


2010 ◽  
Vol 63 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 616-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Radovanovic ◽  
Caslav Milic ◽  
Sanja Kocic

Introduction. Consumption of psychoactive substances among the youth is suggestive of a trend indicating an accelerated and continual growth of the tendency in question. This research was aimed at investigating the frequency of psychoactive substance consumption among high school students on the territory of the town of Kragujevac so that the adequate measures on prevention should be taken. Material and methods. Data from the questionnaire answered by high school student attending the 1st and 4th grade of the medical, technical and economic high schools in Kragujevac were thereby used. The survey included the overall number of 1280 students: there were 793 (62%) male participants and 487 (38%) female. The research was conducted from October 2007 until January 2008. The questionnaire from the project 'Health Status, Health Needs and Utilization of Health Care of the Population of Serbia' conducted by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia 'Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut' in 2000 was used in the survey. Results and Discussion According to the answers, alcohol was used by 45.5%, cigarettes by 20.% and drugs by 3.1% of the examined subjects. Following the use of alcohol and cigarettes, the most often used psychoactive substance was cannabis, which was consumed by 7.8% of the examined subjects out of who 9.8% were boys and 4.8% were girls. Since the risky behavior seems not to be isolated and individual, but rather as a combination of several forms of it, school programmes should treat young people before certain forms of behavior are established. Family, school, health service and society should work on an organized basis as well as methodically on prevention and on fighting against these inadequate habits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (07) ◽  
pp. 1488-1492
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ilyas Jat ◽  
Muhammad Tarique Arain ◽  
Saima Qureshi ◽  
Kheenpal Das ◽  
Anum Haider

The use psychoactive substances are on the rise in general population and even seen more among those who are involved in criminal activities. There are many reasons for such irrational use of psychoactive substances. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and reasons of use of different psychoactive substances among prisoners at Malir prison, Karachi. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional study. Setting: Malir prison, Karachi. Period: 22nd April 2019 to 26th May 2019. Material & Methods: This study was conducted at district Malir prison, Karachi. All the cases who were imprisoned due to any reason and had history of psychoactive substance use were enrolled. Thorough history and examination was carried out. Ethical considerations were taken as per international guidelines. Results: Among all 490 male prisoners who used to take different type of psychoactive substance, majority were of age ranges of 21 to 35 years and 55% were married while 44% were single and 1% were divorced or separated. Out of 490 cases 453 (92%) were using different substances thorough routes other than injections while 37 (8%) were injection users. Majority of prisoners 252 (52%) were using Heroin while 86 (17%) were using Crystals, 74 (15%) Cannabis, 37 (8%) Synthetic substances, 24 (5%) Ice, 6 (1%) Opioid and 11 (2%) were using some other type of substance. The most common reason of substance use was peer pressure followed by fun and frustration. Conclusion: Substance use prevalence is high in prison. Existing services for the management of drug dependence are not meeting the global standard of evidence based comprehensive drug treatment and rehabilitation.


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