Article 33: The Right to Protection from Illicit Use of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

Schools have courses for students and communities to understand well the consequences of harmful drug and know how to deal with the activities of drug trading. (Asia-Pacific)

Drugs of Abuse and Their Impact on Viral Pathogenesis

Commonly misused substances such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and opioids suppress immune responses and may impact viral pathogenesis. In recent years, illicit use of opioids has fueled outbreaks of several viral pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This review focuses on the myriad of mechanisms by which drugs of abuse impact viral replication and disease progression. Virus–drug interactions can accelerate viral disease progression and lead to increased risk of virus transmission.

The anti-money laundering framework for precious stones and metals dealers in Singapore

Purpose Precious stones and metals have commonly been used throughout the world as a conduit for terrorism and money laundering activities. Such illicit use of these assets has called for its much-needed attention from a regulatory perspective. This is particularly relevant in a financial haven such as Singapore. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to explore how several of the most common trading and investment activities involving precious stones and metals in Singapore are regulated. Design/methodology/approach The research explores activities include the trading of – the storing or custodising of – and the current available savings plans involving the use of precious stones and metals. It is based mainly on information collected from various legal sources such as books, domestic legislation and international papers issued by the Financial Action Task Force and the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering. Findings With the author’s findings, the analysis may prove useful for businesses seeking to navigate the regulatory landscape for precious stones and metals in Singapore, for investors seeking to understand the protection offered to them under the regulatory framework and for other jurisdictions seeking to evaluate and refine their existing framework for regulating precious stones and metals. Originality/value To the author’s knowledge, this is the first substantive academic study which analyses the regulatory landscape for the use of precious stones and metals under the Singapore Law.

Opioid dependence disorder and comorbid chronic pain: comparison of groups based on patient-attributed direction of the causal relationship between the two conditions

Background: Chronic pain is highly prevalent in treatment-seeking opioid-dependent patients; therefore, this comorbid presentation is an important clinical consideration for both addiction and pain specialists. The objectives of the present study were to examine whether the direction of causal attribution of opioid dependence disorder and chronic pain resulted in two distinct clinical populations, and, if so, to compare treatment received during the 5-year follow-up period. Methods: Participants comprised opioid-dependent patients with chronic pain who reported a perceived causal relationship, in either direction, between the development of these two conditions ( n = 252). A range of health- and addiction-related instruments were used at study inception. Treatment characteristics were obtained for the follow-up period from national health registers. Results: Those reporting that pain caused opioid dependence disorder ( n = 174; 69%) were characterised by poorer pain-related health, more illicit cannabinoid use ( p = 0.031), more frequent illicit use of opioid analgesics ( p = 0.025) and they were in receipt of higher doses of prescribed opioid analgesics. Those reporting that opioid dependence disorder caused pain ( n = 78; 31%) were characterised by poorer overall physical health ( p = 0.002), more severe psychiatric symptoms and more overall drug use ( p = 0.001). Conclusion: Two distinct clinical populations were identified, determined by how participants perceive the causal relationship between opioid dependence disorder and chronic pain. These two populations have differing clinical profiles and treatment requirements: those reporting that pain caused opioid dependence disorder were characterised by poorer pain-related health and more illicit use of drugs with analgesic properties; and those reporting that opioid dependence disorder caused pain were characterised by more overall use of substances, multiple substance use and more intravenous substance use and poorer general health. Identifying the causal direction, where such a relationship exists, could help addiction and pain services to develop more effective, individualised treatment strategies.

Prospects and Risks of the Widespread Use of Unmanned Aircraft

The article deals with complex situation surrounding the widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles. It points out the issue of the increasing number of UAV-related crimes. The author analyzes the development and growing availability of unmanned aerial vehicles, exposes a number of crimes that have potential for the employment of UAVs, and examines current countermeasures for illicit use of such devices. As a result of the research, author concludes that new ways of investigation of such crimes should be developed, as effective methods of prevention of unlawful use of UAVs currently are not available.

Factors associated with non-medical use of prescription drugs among individuals with a legitimate prescription for medical purposes: A population-based study

Background: Psychoactive prescription drugs are known to have abuse potential. This study was aimed at studying the non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) among individuals with prescriptions for anxiolytics, sedatives, or strong analgesics. We examined the association of socio-demographics, binge drinking, the number of drug prescriptions, and drug types prescribed for medical purposes with NMUPD among the general Finnish population. Methods: Data were derived from population-based (ages 15–69 years) Drug Surveys conducted in Finland in 2006, 2010, and 2014. The response rates varied between 48% and 55%. Individuals with prescriptions for one or more prescription drugs in the last 12 months were included ( n = 1,602) and divided into three groups: medical use only, NMUPD, and NMUPD with illicit drug use (ILLICIT USE). Multinomial logistic regression was used. Results: Among individuals with a prescription for at least one prescription drug, 5.7% reported NMUPD. Living alone and being outside the labour force were associated with NMUPD. Younger age, living in a large city, living alone, and unemployment were associated with ILLICIT USE. Frequent binge drinking and a high number of drug prescriptions were associated with both NMUPD and ILLICIT USE. Those reporting ILLICIT USE were more likely to have a prescription for sedatives. Conclusions: Although NMUPD is on a rather low level among those who have a prescription for legitimate purposes, having multiple prescriptions increased the likelihood of NMUPD. Low socio-economic position and binge drinking are associated with NMUPD and this should be taken into account when planning interventions and preventive actions.

Androgen Misuse and Abuse

Androgens are potent drugs requiring prescription for valid medical indications but are misused for invalid, unproven, or off-label reasons as well as being abused without prescription for illicit non-medical application for performance or image enhancement. Following discovery and first clinical application of testosterone in the 1930s, commercialisation of testosterone and synthetic androgens proliferated in the decades after World War II. It remains among the oldest marketed drugs in therapeutic use, yet after 8 decades of clinical use the sole unequivocal indication for testosterone remains in replacement therapy for pathological hypogonadism, organic disorders of the male reproductive system. Nevertheless, wider claims assert unproven, unsafe, or implausible benefits for testosterone, mostly representing wishful thinking about rejuvenation. Over recent decades this created an epidemic of testosterone misuse involving prescription as a revitalizing tonic for anti-ageing, sexual dysfunction and/or obesity, where efficacy and safety remains unproven and doubtful. Androgen abuse originated during the Cold War as an epidemic of androgen doping among elite athletes for performance enhancement before the 1980s when it crossed over into the general community to become an endemic variant of drug abuse in sufficiently affluent communities that support an illicit drug industry geared to bodybuilding and aiming to create a hypermasculine body physique and image. This review focuses on the misuse of testosterone, defined as prescribing without valid clinical indications, and abuse of testosterone or synthetic androgens (androgen abuse), defined as the illicit use of androgens without prescription or valid indications, typically by athletes, body-builders and others for image-oriented, cosmetic or occupational reasons.

Derivatization-assisted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for identifying hallucinogenic mushrooms with enhanced sensitivity

A sensitive immunochemical method for identifying hallucinogenic mushrooms (magic mushrooms) is required for regulating their illicit use. We have previously generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets psilocin (Psi), the...