On the differential diagnostic prospects of determining the profile of the lateral organization of the personality during assessment of the systematic alcohol abuse

The article is devoted to the question of the possible improvement of the psychological examination of persons previously examined in alcoholic intoxication (hereinafter—PEAI). The authors propose an original view on the definition of the target of «alcohol screening», the principles and methods of assessing psychological markers of the systematic substance abuse. Purpose of the study: to determine the differential diagnostic significance of identifying the profile of the lateral organization (hereinafter—PLO) when assessing of the systematic of alcohol abuse in those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication. The researchers made an attempt to highlight the features of PLO of such a «risk group» as those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication (based on data obtained during the study according to the typology of E.D. Khomskaya (with a combination of three types of asymmetries: manual, auditory-verbal and visual) of lateral preferences of 19 PEAI patients of the branch of the Moscow Research and Practical Center for Narcology). As a result, the tendency of those previously examined in the state of intoxication to the lack of a «leading ear» and «leading eye», significant differences in the distribution of the attribute «leading hand» among those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication and in the population were revealed. Conclusion. According to the results of this study, it is difficult to assume the presence of a significant differential diagnostic significance of PLO detection during «alcohol screening» among those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication. At the same time, it should be noted that taking into account lateral preferences can contribute to the improvement of preventive work programs in the narcological service, providing greater individualization of psychological support measures. Directly in the rehabilitation work with PEAI, it is advisable to actively apply social and psychological training (because of a significant part of the contingent among the main factors of relapse with a high degree of probability has social stressors). The creation of short-term (3-5 meetings) programs of group exercises of a preventive orientation, which have different targets depending on the «vulnerability factors» of the owners of certain lateral profiles, also seems justified.

Acute effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency transportation due to acute alcoholic intoxication: a retrospective observational study

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in people’s drinking habits and the emergency management system for various diseases. However, no studies have investigated the pandemic’s impact on emergency transportation for acute alcoholic intoxication. This study examines the effect of the pandemic on emergency transportation due to acute alcoholic intoxication in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, a region with high alcohol consumption. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted using data of 180,747 patients from the Kochi-Iryo-Net database, Kochi Prefecture’s emergency medical and wide-area disaster information system. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The association between emergency transportation and alcoholic intoxication was examined. The differences between the number of transportations during the voluntary isolation period in Japan (March and April 2020) and the same period for 2016–2019 were measured. Results In 2020, emergency transportations due to acute alcoholic intoxication declined by 0.2%, compared with previous years. Emergency transportation due to acute alcoholic intoxication decreased significantly between March and April 2020, compared with the same period in 2016–2019, even after adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio 0.67; 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.96). Conclusions This study showed that lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the number of emergency transportations; in particular, those due to acute alcoholic intoxication decreased significantly.

Road Police officers training aimed at personal safety protection

The research object is social relations emerging in the field of road police officers’ personal and collective safety protection while in the execution of their duties. The research object is the formation and improvement of personal safety protection skills of internal affairs officers in the process of their professional training. The topicality of the research is connected with the tasks of professional training quality improvement at the educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, and the necessity to maintain the working efficiency of law enforcement officers which determines the effectiveness of their work. The study contains the analysis of road accidents, determines the types of persons allowing them to happen, and describes the proportion of road accidents caused by drivers in a state of alcoholic intoxication. The authors define the main causes of internal affairs and road police officers traumatization; analyze the probability of conflict situations between road police officers and drivers in a state of alcoholic intoxication. The research methodology is based on the methods of involved observation, the analysis of the practical experience of the internal affairs agencies, and the interdisciplinary analysis of academic works and regulating documents in the field under consideration. The scientific novelty of the research is as follows: a) the authors analyze the offences committed in the recent years; b) the authors raise the problem of the improvement of personal safety protection skills of internal affairs officers; c) the authors analyze the contents and the structure of professional training programs. The conclusions of the research substantiate the necessity to improve the main professional training program and to take particular steps aimed at the protection of personal safety of internal affairs officers while in the execution of their duties. The statistical data described in the article as well as the example of a road police officer traumatization while making up a protocol, proves the importance of research in this field.   

PROBLEMS OF APPLYING THE CONCEPT OF WORKING TIME IN CASES OF DISMISSAL FOR EMPLOYEE’S APPEARING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

To date an urgent task of the Russian Federation is to conduct a policy of alcoholism prevention. The regulatory framework contains measures of responsibility, federal concepts for alcoholism prevention are being implemented, temporary restrictions on alcohol purchase are put into action, and so on. Alcohol abuse causes a particularly high death rate among men of 40 to 60 years old, who at this age have the most valuable professional skills. Their premature death damages the workforce with professional experience and reduces the amount of investment in human capital. In the field of labor relations, it is envisaged to apply disciplinary penalties in the form of dismissal of an employee for being under alcoholic intoxication at work. However, the mechanisms provided for in the labor legislation are not always implemented in an appropriate way due to different approaches in applying the law, thus the employer has problems. Purpose: analysis of problems of law enforcement of the concept “working time”. Methods: empirical methods of comparison, description, and interpretation; theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic. Specific scientific methods are used: legal-dogmatic and method of interpretation of legal norms. Results: the study allowes us to consider different approaches to the use of the concept of “working time”. The analysis of judicial practice on reinstatement of employees who appeared under alcoholic intoxication at hazardous production facilities in the Republic of Bashkortostan is also carried out. To date, there is no uniform practice for restoring employees who were intoxicated on the employer’s territory. This fact is a gap in the mechanisms of combating alcoholism. Until appropriate changes are made to the Labour Code of the Russian Federation, judicial practice in such cases will remain controversial.

On the necessity of existence of medical sobering stations in Russia

The research subject is social relations in the field of public order protection. The article focuses on the interaction between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation represented by patrol and point duty officers and the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation represented by healthcare workers, in detecting people in the state of alcoholic intoxication, often unconscious or unable to walk, in public places. This category of citizens should be removed from public places and provided with medical aid. The author studies historical materials of the Soviet period, analyzes the current legislation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Healthcare related to public order protection and its comparison with the practical activities of internal affairs bodies. Based on the analysis, the author suggests renewing the work of special medical sobering stations which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the work of internal affairs officers, provide citizens in the state of alcoholic intoxication with professional medical assistance, and harmonize the actions of police officers and healthcare workers.