scholarly journals Trends in amphetamine and benzodiazepine use among drivers arrested for drug impaired driving in Norway 2000-2009

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stig Tore Bogstrand ◽  
Gerrit Middelkoop ◽  
Asbjørg S. Christophersen
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
The Past ◽  
Single Substance ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Benzodiazepine Use ◽  
Drug Seizure

The patterns of drug use among drivers suspected for driving under the influence of non-alcohol drugs have changed over the past ten years. The aim of this study was to describe trends in single substance prevalence and total prevalence of benzodiazepines and amphetamines in blood samples from apprehended drivers, and compare findings with statistics of drug seizure by year. The sample represented totally 39935 apprehended drivers, varying from about 3500 to 4800 each year between 2000 and 2009. The study found that after 2002 the prevalence of benzodiazepine has ranged from 52 to 57% among all apprehended drivers. There have been major changes in single substance prevalence, and the changes are similar to the changes in benzodiazepine seized by the police. There was no significant changes in the prevalence of amphetamines from 2000 to 2009 (35-43%), but the most prevalent stimulant has shifted from amphetamine to methamphetamine in both police seizures and blood samples from apprehended drivers. A combination of benzodiazepines and amphetamines was commonly detected in samples from apprehended drivers.

scholarly journals The Emergence of Deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, a Ketamine Analog, in Drug Seizures and Drug Driving Cases in Hong Kong

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 886-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing-Chi Cheng ◽  
Kwok-Leung Dao
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Crystalline Solid ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
Drug Purity ◽  
Lower Drug ◽  
Drug Seizure

Abstract The study reports the detection of a newly emerged drug, deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine (2-oxo-PCE), an analog of ketamine, through forensic drug and toxicological examinations of exhibits from drug seizure cases and blood samples taken from drivers of driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases, respectively, in Hong Kong. The submission of 2-oxo-PCE in both types of cases was firstly encountered in October 2017. A total of 31 drug seizure cases (52 items) and 4 DUID cases were found positive with 2-oxo-PCE till October 2018. Drug seizures with 2-oxo-PCE found were all in physical form (mostly in powdery or crystalline solid), resembling those samples commonly found with ketamine but having much lower purity. Although the majority of the relevant items was found with 2-oxo-PCE as the only psychoactive substance (36 items, ~69%) or as a mixture with ketamine (10 items, ~19%), other psychoactive substances including methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine and pentylone have also been encountered (6 items, 12%). For the four DUID cases, 2-oxo-PCE and its metabolite, deschloronorketamine, were detected in all blood samples. The 2-oxo-PCE concentrations in the four blood samples were in the range of 0.08–0.31 μg/mL, being higher than the concentrations of deschloronorketamine (in the range of 0.04–0.09 μg/mL) for each sample. The 2-oxo-PCE levels found were generally lower than the ketamine levels found in reported DUID cases. With items found with 2-oxo-PCE, which were physically indistinguishable from ketamine but having lower drug purity in seizures, the lower 2-oxo-PCE blood levels with more severe impairment signs observed for the drivers in DUID cases, it is not unreasonable to speculate that users might have taken it as ketamine without knowing of its real identity and hence was adversely affected by the more potent 2-oxo-PCE.

Everything Is Bigger in Texas: Alcohol Impaired Driving in Houston (2014–2018)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corissa Rodgers ◽  
Melissa Lloyd ◽  
Peter Stout ◽  
Dayong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Public Safety ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Science Center ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Alcohol Impaired Driving

Abstract Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) poses a continued public safety risk in Texas, which has one of the highest alcohol impaired traffic fatality rates. This study aimed to identify alcohol and drug use trends seen in DWI/DUID cases in the city of Houston from 2014 to 2018 to better understand the populations at risk. Blood samples submitted to the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) were evaluated for blood alcohol concentration (BAC), drug concentrations and demographics. During the 5-year period, 12,682 Houston driver blood samples had a mean (median) BAC of 0.151 g/dL (0.167 g/dL) and age of 36.3 (34) years. Fifty percent of samples were white males. Seventy-five percent of samples were individuals aged 21 to 44 years. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of cases submitted nearly doubled, from approximately 2,000 cases per year to over 3,700. In 2014, 23% of cases submitted required further analysis per HFSC testing policy (drug screen and confirmation for DWI/DUID cases when BAC < 0.100 g/dL), which rose to 27% by 2018. Of those, 36% were polydrug cases, requiring two or more confirmation tests. Cannabinoids was the most common drug class detected (34% of cases analyzed for drugs), followed by benzodiazepines (25%), phencyclidine (20%), cocaine/metabolites (15%) and opioids (12%). Phencyclidine rose from the fifth-most commonly detected drug in 2014 to the second-most drug in 2018. Only 3% of all cases (n = 408) were negative for both alcohol and drugs. Communication between law enforcement and laboratory management is recommended to address growing caseload more effectively. The study limitations (e.g., limited scope of analysis) suggest the present data underestimated the full extent of impaired driving in Houston, indicating even more urgent needs for increasing resources and efforts to reduce this serious threat to public safety.

scholarly journals Prevalence and demographic, substance use, and mental health correlates of fasting among U.S. college students

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle T. Ganson ◽  
Rachel F. Rodgers ◽  
Stuart B. Murray ◽  
Jason M. Nagata
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Past ◽  
Self Injury

Abstract Background Fasting is an unhealthy behavior that has been frequently used as part of weight loss attempts. To date, little research has been conducted to determine the prevalence and substance use and mental health correlates of fasting among college students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and associations between any (≥ 1 time) and regular (≥ 13 times) occurrences of fasting in the past 4 weeks and substance use and mental health correlates among a large sample of college students from 2016 to 2020. Methods Data from four academic survey years (2016–2020; N = 8255) of the national (USA) Healthy Minds Study were analyzed. Unadjusted prevalence of any and regular fasting by survey year and gender was estimated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between any and regular fasting and the demographic (age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, highest parental education), substance use (cigarette use, marijuana use, other illicit drug use, alcohol use), and mental health (depression, anxiety, eating disorder symptoms, suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury) correlates. Results Any fasting in the past 4 weeks was common among both men (14.77%) and women (18.12%) and significantly increased from 2016 (10.30%) to 2020 (19.81%) only among men. Regular fasting significantly increased among both men and women from 2016 (men: 1.46%; women: 1.79%) to 2020 (men: 3.53%; women: 6.19%). Among men and women, both any and regular fasting in the past 4 weeks were associated with higher odds of all mental health symptoms, including a positive depression, anxiety, and eating disorder screen, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury. Among women, but not men, any and regular fasting in the past 4 weeks were associated with higher odds of marijuana use and other illicit drug use (e.g., cocaine, ecstasy). Conclusions The results from this study underscore both the high and increasing prevalence of fasting among a national sample of college students, as well as the substance use and mental health symptoms associated with this behavior. Healthcare professionals both on and off campus should consider screening for fasting behaviors among college students and provide appropriate intervention when needed.

Comparison of Maternal Sera, Cord Blood, and Neonatal Sera for Detecting Presumptive Congenital Syphilis: Relationship With Maternal Treatment

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-91
Author(s):  
Rakesh S. Chhabra ◽  
Luc P. Brion ◽  
Martha Castro ◽  
Lawrence Freundlich ◽  
Joy H. Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Prenatal Exposure ◽  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Multiple Comparisons ◽  
Serologic Test ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
The Past ◽  
Maternal Treatment ◽  
Treatment Administration

The incidence of congenital syphilis has increased rapidly over the past few years. Most infected mothers and their newborns are asymptomatic at birth and diagnosis depends on serologic testing during pregnancy and at delivery. This study was initiated to compare maternal sera, cord blood, and neonatal sera for detecting presumptive congenital syphilis and to assess the role of maternal treatment (administration of penicillin to the mother at least 1 month before delivery) on the serologic results at the time of delivery. The serologic results from all live deliveries complicated by a positive maternal and/or neonatal test for syphilis during a 12-month period were compared using χ2 analysis and multiple comparisons for proportions. Of 3306 livebirths, 73 (2.2%) were complicated by a positive maternal or neonatal serology. At delivery, the serologic test was positive in 68 (94%) of 72 maternal sera, 30 (50%) of 60 cord sera, and 43 (63%) of 68 neonatal sera. In the absence of maternal treatment, 95% of the maternal sera, 66% of the cord blood samples, and 86% of the neonatal sera were positive. If the mother had been treated, 94% of maternal sera, 36% of cord sera, and 39% of neonatal sera were positive. Cord blood and neonatal sera appear to be inferior to maternal sera for detecting prenatal exposure to syphilis. Cord serology is also inferior to neonatal serology at 2 to 3 days of age. The most effective way to identify newborns at risk for congenital syphilis is to obtain a maternal serologic diagnosis during pregnancy and to test maternal and neonatal sera at delivery.

Is there fentanyl contamination in the Australian illicit drug market?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Voce ◽  
Tom Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
The Past

This research investigates fentanyl use among police detainees participating in the Drug Use Monitoring in Australia program. Three percent of respondents tested positive to fentanyl and/or norfentanyl during urinalysis, and 11 percent reported lifetime fentanyl use. Nonprescribed fentanyl use was associated with use of and dependence on other drugs in the past 12 months. Three percent of all detainees believed they had used an illicit substance mixed with fentanyl. No detainees who tested positive to fentanyl reported using the drug in the past 12 months. These findings suggest fentanyl contamination may be occurring in the Australian illicit drug market.

scholarly journals L’alcool au volant, c’est criminel depuis 1921 !

Criminologie ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-26
Author(s):  
Pierre Landreville ◽  
Chantal Lavergne
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Data ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Canadian Criminal Code ◽  
The Law

Bill C-51 passed by the Canadian Parliament in 1985 and the publicity surrounding this legislation led many people to believe that a new crime regarding impaired driving had been created. This Bill, however, was to simply increase the penalty for drunk driving in the case of a first conviction. In fact, the penal solution to the “problem” of drunk driving is not new; in 1921 the offence of impaired driving was first introduced into the Code. This article examines the evolution of the prohibition of driving under the influence of alcohol in the Canadian Criminal Code and the enforcement of this law in Canada, in Quebec and in Ontario from 1921 to 1973. The first part presents the evolution of legislation concerning impaired driving. It goes through six important phases and covers the period from 1921 to 1973. The second part presents the statistical data used in our study. We also consider the reliability and validity of the data used. In the last part, we analyze the implementation of the law on infractions relating to drunk driving in a state of drunkeness indictable offence and summary conviction offence driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug (indictable offence and summary conviction offence), and finally, refusal to furnish a sample of breath (summary conviction offence). In conclusion, we present several recommendations based on the results of our analysis.

scholarly journals Drug Use Changes at the Individual Level: Results from a Longitudinal, Multisite Survey in Young Europeans Frequenting the Nightlife Scene

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Meryem Grabski ◽  
Jon Waldron ◽  
Tom P. Freeman ◽  
Claire Mokrysz ◽  
Ruben J.J. van Beek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Prescription Opioids ◽  
Alkyl Nitrates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Past ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
The Individual

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Monitoring emerging trends in the increasingly dynamic European drug market is vital; however, information on change at the individual level is scarce. In the current study, we investigated changes in drug use over 12 months in European nightlife attendees. <b><i>Method:</i></b> In this longitudinal online survey, changes in substances used, use frequency in continued users, and relative initiation of use at follow-up were assessed for 20 different substances. To take part, participants had to be aged 18–34 years; be from Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, or the UK; and have attended at least 6 electronic music events in the past 12 months at baseline. Of 8,045 volunteers at baseline, 2,897 completed the survey at both time points (36% follow-up rate), in 2017 and 2018. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The number of people using ketamine increased by 21% (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and logarithmized frequency of use in those continuing use increased by 15% (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001; 95% CI: 0.07–0.23). 4-Fluoroamphetamine use decreased by 27% (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and logarithmized frequency of use in continuing users decreased by 15% (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, 95% CI: −0.48 to −0.23). The drugs with the greatest proportion of relative initiation at follow-up were synthetic cannabinoids (73%, <i>N</i> = 30), mephedrone (44%, <i>N</i> = 18), alkyl nitrites (42%, <i>N</i> = 147), synthetic dissociatives (41%, <i>N</i> = 15), and prescription opioids (40%, <i>N</i> = 48). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In this European nightlife sample, ketamine was found to have the biggest increase in the past 12 months, which occurred alongside an increase in frequency of use in continuing users. The patterns of uptake and discontinuation of alkyl nitrates, novel psychoactive substances, and prescription opioids provide new information that has not been captured by existing cross-sectional surveys. These findings demonstrate the importance of longitudinal assessments of drug use and highlight the dynamic nature of the European drug landscape.

scholarly journals A Cascade of Care for Alcohol Use Disorder: Using 2015-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data to Identify Gaps in Care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie M. Mintz ◽  
Sarah M. Hartz ◽  
Sherri L. Fisher ◽  
Alex T. Ramsey ◽  
Elvin H. Geng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cascade Of Care

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlthough effective treatments exist, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is undertreated. We used a cascade of care framework to understand gaps in care between diagnosis and treatment for persons with AUD.MethodsUsing 2015-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, we evaluated the following steps in the cascade of care: 1) prevalence of adults with AUD; 2) proportion of adults who utilized health care in the past 12 months; 3) were screened about alcohol use; 4) received a brief intervention about alcohol misuse; 5) received information about treatment for alcohol misuse; and 6) proportion of persons with AUD who received treatment. Analyses were stratified by AUD severity.ResultsOf the 171,766 persons included in the sample, weighted prevalence of AUD was 7.9% (95% CI 7.7-8.0%). Persons with AUD utilized health care settings at similar rates as those without AUD. Cascades of care showed the majority of individuals with AUD utilized health care and were screened about alcohol use, but the percent who received the subsequent steps of care decreased substantially. For those with severe AUD, 83.5% (CI: 78.3%-88.7%) utilized health care in the past 12 months, 73.5% (CI: 68.1%-78.9%) were screened for alcohol use, 22.7% (CI: 19.4%-26.0%) received a brief intervention, 12.4% (CI: 10%-14.7%) received information about treatment, and 20.5% (CI: 18%-23.1%) were treated for AUD. The greatest decrease in the care continuum occurred from screening to brief intervention and referral to treatment. More persons with severe AUD received treatment than were referred, indicating other pathways to treatment outside of the healthcare system.ConclusionsPersons with AUD utilize health care at high rates and are frequently screened about alcohol use, but few receive treatment. Health care settings-particularly primary care settings-represent a prime opportunity to implement pharmacologic treatment for AUD to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

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