The Effects of E-Cigarette Use on Alcohol and Marijuana Abuse Symptoms in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Young Adults

Background: We examined e-cigarette use as a prospective predictor of alcohol and marijuana abuse symptoms in a sample consisting of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI), Filipino, Asian (i.e., Japanese, Chinese, Korean), and White young adults. NHPI represent a highly vulnerable group with regard to substance use and are severely understudied. Methods: Data were collected from 1463 young adults (M age = 22.2, SD = 3.2; 59.5% women) enrolled across community colleges in Hawai‘i at two time-points six months apart. Results: Higher frequency of e-cigarette use at baseline was predictive of higher alcohol (B = 0.06, SE = 0.02, p < 0.01) and marijuana (B = 0.06, SE = 0.02, p < 0.01) use problems at six-month follow up, adjusting for baseline cigarette smoking, problem alcohol/marijuana use, sensation seeking, and demographic variables. Ethnicity was found to significantly moderate the relationship between baseline e-cigarette use and problem marijuana use later, such that White and NHPI ethnicities were particularly vulnerable to the effects of e-cigarette use on problem marijuana use. Conclusion: NHPI are often combined with Asians in national surveys, which obfuscates the higher risks faced by NHPI compared with groups that are routinely classified as Asians (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos). The current research highlights the NHPI’s vulnerability in terms of the effects of e-cigarette use on marijuana and alcohol abuse symptoms.

Examining Multi-Domain Resilience Among Maltreated and Non-Maltreated Youths: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

While maltreatment is clearly associated with an elevated risk for depression in later life, not all maltreated youths develop depression. This study examined whether maltreated youths who exhibit single-domain resilience (low levels of depression) simultaneously demonstrate multi-domain resilience in fundamental adaptive systems, including interpersonal functioning and violence, substance abuse/dependency, physical health, and socioeconomic domains. Trajectories of depression (across ages 13-32) in maltreated and non-maltreated individuals were modeled using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. “Low,” “increasing,” and “declining” depression trajectories in both maltreated and non-maltreated individuals were identified. Yet, maltreated individuals in the “low” trajectory still had lower romantic relationship satisfaction, more exposure to intimate partner and sexual violence, more alcohol and marijuana abuse/dependency, and lower educational attainment relative to non-maltreated individuals in the “low” trajectory. Focusing on a single domain (i.e., depression) of resilience may obscure other impairments that maltreated children face in adulthood.

And the Oscar goes to peripheral blood film for detection of lead poisoning in a complicated toxic patient: A case report with review of laboratory clues

PBS provides the hematologic and/or non-hematologic picture of a case.A 40-year-old man with history of alcohol and marijuana abuse presented with extremities and abdominal pain.After extensive investigations, finding basophilic stippling on PBS led to the diagnosis of lead poisoning.PBS is the simplest screening test which provide rich morphological information.

Theatre as an Agent of Change: Mobilising Against Marijuana Addiction in Tombia Ekpetiama Community in Bayelsa State

This paper posits community theatre as an agent of change and argues that community theatre possesses the technicalities to bring awareness to the members of a community to the social and cultural issues affecting them via their exploration in drama or performance, thereby causing changes in their mindset, action and socialisation patterns. With a focus on marijuana addiction amongst the youths in Tombia, Ekpetiama, the paper critically analyses the effectiveness of community theatre in mobilising, sensitising, entertaining and educating the community members on the dangers of drug abuse. Marijuana addiction is a challenge worldwide and theatre practitioners have engaged several community theatre projects in order to sensitise addicts on the need to do away with drugs. This work used focus group interactions, participant observation and in-depth interviews methods to record the opinions of the people of Tombia community on issues of concern evolving from marijuana abuse. Adopting performance analysis schemata, the responses recorded were structured as thematic strands analysed and interpreted in line with the research objectives. Findings showed that community theatre is a viable avenue within which Tombia, Ekpetiama community became aware and knowledgeable about the social challenges of marijuana addiction. This in turn influenced the resolve of the youths to change by shunning marijuana smoking while the community elders were prompted to put progressive local measures in place in order to checkmate the youths and boost practices that strengthen development. Therefore, it was concluded that, community theatre is indeed an ideal agent for the mobilisation of people at the grassroots level as it encourages village or community participation to open room for them to assess their problems and proffer solutions via the implementation of meaningful changes that aid community development. The study contributes to the understanding of community theatre and exposes its efficacy, as an additional strategy; to fight against drug abuse in communities in Nigeria.

Serotonin Syndrome versus Cannabis Toxicity in the Emergency Department

As more states legalize marijuana, the potential of marijuana abuse could lead to an increase in the number of emergency department (ED) visits. We describe two patients who presented to the ED with dilated pupils, rigidity in both lower extremities, and clonus in both feet after inhaling the vapor of a highly potent form of marijuana. Serotonin syndrome diagnosis was initially considered in the differential diagnosis. Ultimately, high-potency marijuana abuse was the final diagnosis. Therefore, marijuana toxicity should be considered in ED patients who present with signs and symptoms similar to that of serotonin syndrome.

Study on Marijuana Abuse among Male Nepalese College Students in Bangalore

Over the past few years, the topic of marijuana is featured in the media. Students have an ambiguous information on the medical benefits and the torment of marijuana use. Students under minimum supervision from their guardians are among high risk groups of its abuse. The abuse of marijuana among students is associated with the cognitive impairment, adverse academic performance and the low-level satisfaction of life. Aims: To find out the prevalence of marijuana abuse among college students staying away from their parents. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: 10 colleges from 5 wards of BBMP between February 2014 to February 2015. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey (n=250). Qualitative (interview) and quantitative (structured questionnaire) were used to collect the data about the current use of marijuana, smoking habit, perceived effect and source of supply among Nepalese students studying in Bangalore. The Current user is defined according to the CDC guideline (An adult who has smoked 100 times in his lifetime and who currently smokes marijuana. Findings: The current prevalence of marijuana abuse among male Nepalese students in Bangalore is 36%. At least one-time usage of marijuana is 51%. Among current users, 38% are using marijuana daily. Similarly, 37% of the participants reported that local friends are the source of supply for them and 32% reported that they get marijuana from college friends. Among current users, about 58% of the users said that they don’t want to quit using marijuana. Conclusion: It is evident from the study that marijuana use is widespread amongst Nepalese students in Bangalore. The parents whose children are away from home town should maintain a very close relationship with them, their academic supervisors, and their friends. A significant number of current users (41%) wish to quit the addiction of marijuana use, this demand an immediate need for the mental health counselor in the colleges in Bangalore.