bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guarding the guardians: influencing the regulation of alcohol promotions in Australia
Authors: SAUNDERS BILL
Published: January 2006

Alcoholic beverage advertising in Australia is allowed provided it conforms with a Code of Conduct approved by the Media Council of Australia (a collective of media proprietors). This system, known as self‐regulation, has come under increasing critical scrutiny. It is argued from a systemic perspective that research has been one factor that has led to this increased scrutiny of alcoholic beverage advertising. Important other factors include the advent of the Australian National Campaign against Drug Abuse (which crucially included alcohol on its agenda), some erosion of the alcoholic beverage producers political status, declining per capita consumption, and an increase in media reporting on alcohol and drug issues. By examination of five research reports recently released on alcohol advertising it is argued that, in order to influence policy makers in an area where there is substantial opposition to change, research must be deftly marketed, contain information of political relevance, such as opinion poll material, and be used as a lobbying tool. The role of researchers in this process is considered.
Changes in access to and availability of alcohol in the United States: research and policy implications
Authors: HOLDER HAROLD D.
Published: January 2006

Recent changes in alcohol availability and access in the United States are reviewed and the role public policy research played in such changes are discussed. The paper finds that there are two concurrent trends, i.e. increased alcohol availability through changes in wine and spirits structural availability, lower prices and increased outlet densities, and decreased availability and access through higher minimum drinking ages, server intervention and training, server liability, low‐ and no‐alcohol beverages, and warning labels on alcohol containers. This paper discusses these trends and the implications for policy development to which research is an input.
Community‐based research initiatives in prevention
Authors: GIESBRECHT NORMAN , FERRIS JACQUELINE
Published: January 2006

An overview of community‐based action research projects is presented focusing on the community/research agenda interaction, the difficulties and rewards of this approach, and the unique opportunities of these projects. The potential for policy development as a result of these initiatives has not been fully explored, and some suggestions for the implementation of policies based on the results of action research projects are made. The policy implication of several specific interventions are discussed, along with the limitations and benefits of policy components within a project, rather than as spin‐offs. The paper concludes with suggestions for planning community action projects to enhance the policy formulation aspect of these projects.
The policy‐research interface: an insider's view
Authors: SECKER ANDREW
Published: January 2006

This paper is a summary of some illuminating comments made by the author when invited to discuss some of the above papers in the area of liquor licensing and availability. Prior to his appointment as the Director and Government Printer of State Print in South Australia, the author had been the first Director of Liquor Licensing in Western Australia. In that capacity he was responsible for undertaking a major review of the Liquor Act in Western Australia and in implementing a new administrative structure. He was subsequently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Totalisator Agency Board (which is responsible for off‐course betting on horse and greyhound racing) before returning to South Australia. The author's experience of reviewing liquor licensing legislation in both South Australia and Western Australia, and his administration of a licensing authority provides him, in the Editors' view, with unique insights into the working of governments and the formulation of policy in this area. His paper is presented here in the form in which it was given at the conference.
Prevalence of volatile solvent inhalation among junior high school students in Japan and background life style of users
Authors: WADA KIYOSHI , FUKUI SUSUMU
Published: January 2006

In order to estimate the prevalence of volatile solvent inhalation among junior high school students in Japan and to assess certain characteristics of the lifestyle of these users, the authors surveyed 5240 students 12–15 years of age. This was the first major source of the prevalence of volatile solvent inhalation among junior high school students in Japan, from the point of view of the number of subjects and schools. 1.5% of subjects were students who had inhaled solvents. The regularity of life style rhythm was more significantly disturbed in Lifetime Users than in Non‐Users. School life and family life was significantly less relaxed for Lifetime Users than for Non‐Users. Drinking alcohol and smoking had a strong relationship with inhaling volatile solvents. The authors suggest that greatly increasing education on the harmful effects of volatile solvents inhalation and increasing the frequency with which the entire family eats dinner together will be an effective prevention strategy in Japan.
Sex differences in morbidity among respondents classified as alcohol abusers and/or dependent: results of a national survey
Authors: CHOU S. PATRICIA
Published: January 2006

To date, none of the studies on gender differences in physical morbidity have focused on persons classified as DSM‐III‐R alcohol abusers and/or dependent in the general population. This Data Note presents data from a nationally representative survey on drinking practices and related problems for the purpose of examining gender differences in physical morbidity among respondents receiving these diagnoses. Results indicated that for certain major sociodemographic subgroups of the population, gender differences in morbidity were significant. The female‐to‐male odds ratios of these subgroups generally varied within the range of 1.5 and 2.0, reflecting about two times greater odds of experiencing morbid conditions for females when compared to males.
Prevalence, severity and correlates of psychological morbidity among methadone maintenance clients
Authors: DARKE SHANE , SWIFT WENDY , HALL WAYNE
Published: January 2006

A sample of 222 methadone maintenance clients was tested for levels of depression, anxiety, and anti‐social personality disorder. The prevalence of each type of psychopathology was high. There were large proportions of subjects exhibiting extremely severe depression, anxiety and a majority were classified as “psychiatric cases”. Depression and anxiety were strongly related, but anti‐social behaviour was unrelated to personal distress. Personal distress levels were predicted by benzodiazepine use, poorer social functioning and poorer health. Anti‐social personality disorder zoos predicted by younger age, being male, poorer social functioning, and current criminality.
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological smoking motives: a replication and extension
Authors: TATE JAMES C. , POMERLEAU CYNTHIA S. , POMERLEAU OVTDE F.
Published: January 2006

Cigarette smokers (n = 387) completed a questionnaire measure of smoking motives, and subgroups of this sample provided external validation information. Seven factors emerged from a principal components’analysis: automatic, sedative, addictive, stimulation, psychosocial, indulgent and sensorimotor manipulation. A higher‐order principal components analysis revealed the presence of two second‐order factors. Inspection of the pattern of correlations between factor scores and criterion variables clearly indicated that the first four factors above and their underlying second‐order factor are more closely related to nicotine pharmacology and mood‐altering effects of nicotine than the latter three motives and their underlying second‐order factor. Moreover, the positive correlations between these pharmacological motives and age, coupled with a negative relationship between age and the non‐pharmacological motives, support the description of the smoking career as a progressive transfer of reward from non‐pharmacological to pharmacological factors. These findings suggest that self‐reported reasons for smoking represent more than bias in verbal report.
Variations in quantity‐frequency measures of alcohol consumption from a general population survey
Authors: WILLIAMS GERALD D. , PROUDFIT ANN H. , QUINN ELIZABETH A. , CAMPBELL KAREN E.
Published: January 2006

This paper examines differences in quantity–frequency (QF) measures of alcohol consumption from the 1988 US National Health Interview Survey. Three methods—global QF, beverage‐specific QF, and beverage‐specific QF with drink size (QFS)—were used to estimate the average daily ethanol consumption (ADC) of current drinkers. These ADC estimates then were used to categorize drinkers into light, moderate or heavier drinking levels. Total prevalence estimates of heavier drinking were not significantly different among men, but were significantly higher with the QFS measure among women. All mean ADC scores were significantly different for both sexes. The global QF showed the lowest mean consumption, followed by the higher beverage‐specific QF and QFS measures. Adding beverage type and drink size to the QF measures increased mean ADC scores for both men and women. However, moderately high correlations (0.84 for men and 0.88 for women) were found with ADC scores from the beverage‐specific QF and QFS measures.
Alcoholism and phobic anxiety—a clinical‐demographic comparison
Authors: LOTUFO‐NETO FRANCISCO , GENTIL VALENTIM
Published: January 2006

The prevalence of anxious and phobic symptoms in 97 alcohol‐dependent and alcohol abuse patients, and that of alcohol abuse and dependence in 90 patients with panic/agoraphobia (PAG), were respectively determined in out‐patients attending alcoholism and anxiety clinics in a university psychiatric hospital. The clinical and socio‐demographic data of both the phobics and non‐phobics of the alcoholic sample, and the alcohol dependents and non‐dependents of the PAG sample, were compared. Panic attacks and phobias were associated with increased severity and worse prognosis for alcoholism. The infrequent instances of alcohol use to cope with anxiety in the PAG sample were associted with symptoms of social phobia. Alcohol abuse and dependence were more frequent in PAG men who used alcohol to cope with anxiety. Finally, the frequency and intensity of the panic and phobic symptoms of the alcoholic and PAG samples were contrasted. The alcoholism clinic patients with anxiety had less frequent and milder panic attacks. The predominant diagnosis of this group was agoraphobia, which was infrequent in the anxiety disorders clinic.
Alcohol use in the service industry
Authors: LARSEN SVEIN
Published: January 2006

It is frequently alleged that hotel and restaurant personnel drink more than other groups in the service industry, although only indirect evidence has been presented to substantiate this allegation. This paper reports data from two surveys concerning alcohol use in different segments of the service industry. In the first study 84 students at three different colleges in the Stavanger region were interviewed concerning their alcohol habits using the screening instrument AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). The second survey concentrated on service employees in the Rogaland area. One hundred and five respondents answered the A UDIT questionnaire in this study. The results showed that hotel and restaurant affiliated individuals scored significantly higher on the A UDIT than the other respondents. The first survey indicated that students at the Norwegian College of Hotel Management obtained significantly higher A UDIT scores than other groups of students, whereas the second survey indicated that restaurant workers scored significantly higher than employees in other branches of the service industry. Implications of these results, as well as future research demands were indicated.
DSM‐III‐R nicotine dependence in young adults: prevalence, correlates and associated psychiatric disorders
Authors: BRESLAU NAOMI , KILBEY M. MARLYNE , ANDRESKI PATRICIA
Published: January 2006

We describe the epidemiology of nicotine dependence and Us association with other substance use and psychiatric disorders. Data came from a random sample of young adults, 21–30 years of age, in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area. The NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to ascertain DSM‐III‐R disorders. Lifetime prevalence of nicotine dependence was 20%. Higher rates were observed in whites, persons with low education and persons who were separated or divorced. Males and females with nicotine dependence had significantly increased odds for alcohol and illicit drug disorders, major depression and one or more anxiety disorder, as compared to non‐dependent smokers and non‐smokers combined. Among smokers, lifetime prevalence of illicit drug disorders other than marijuana alone, major depression and any anxiety disorder were significantly higher in dependent than non‐dependent people. Major depression was associated specifically with nicotine dependence, an association explained in part by neuroticism. This finding suggests that the personality trait of neuroticism might constitute a common predisposition for major depression and nicotine dependence.
Assisting problem drinkers to change on their own: effect of specific and non‐specific advice
Authors: SPIVAK K. , SANCHEZ‐CRAIG M. , DAVILA R.
Published: January 2006

Problem drinkers (99 males, 41 females) wishing to qmt or cut down without professional help received a 60‐minute session during which they lucre‐ assessed and given at random one of these materials: Guidelines, a two‐page. pamphlet outlining specific methods for achieving abstinence or moderate drinking; Manual, a 30‐page booklet describing the methods in the Guidelines; or General Information, a package about alcohol effects. At 12 months following ‐up, subjects in the Guidelines and Manual conditions showed significantly greater reductions of heavy days (of 5 + drinks) than subjects in General Information (70% vs. 24%); in addition, significantly fewer subjects in the Guidelines and the Manual conditions expressed need for professional assistance will their drinking (25% vs. 46% in General Information). No main effect of condition or gender was observed on rates of moderate drinking. At 12 months follow‐up, 31% of the men and 43% of the women were rated as moderate drinkers. It was concluded that drinkers intending to cut damn on their own derive greater benefit (in terms of their alcohol use) from materials containing specific instructions to develop moderate drinking than from those providing general information on alcohol effects. Clinical and research implications of the findings are discussed.
Alcohol in the mass media and drinking by adolescents: a longitudinal study
Authors: CONNOLLY GARY M. , CASSWELL SALLY , ZHANG JIA‐FANG , SILVA PHIL A.
Published: January 2006

Data from a longitudinal study carried out in Dunedin, New Zealand, were used to investigate associations between alcohol consumption at age 18 years and alcohol‐related mass media communications recalled at ages 13 and 15 years. The respondents’ recall of alcohol‐related mass media material were categorized as: commercial alcohol advertising, alcohol moderation messages or the portrayal of alcohol in entertainment. An additional media variable was the number of hours spent watching television. Non‐media variables, such as peer approval of drinking, living situation and occupation (all at age 18 years) were also included in the analyses. The period between the interviews at ages 13 and 15 years saw an increase in the broadcast of commercial alcohol advertisements on television in New Zealand and this was reflected in an increase in the proportion of the mass media material recalled which was categorized as commercial advertising. At age 15 years television advertising, mostly for beer companies, was the predominant material recalled. No relationships were found between the commercial advertising and wine and spirits consumption, among either men or women, but young women who had watched more hours of television drank more wine/spirits. Among women there were two unexpected negative relationships between recall of alcohol in the media at age 13 years and beer consumption. However, among men there was a consistent positive relationship such that those who had recalled more alcohol advertisements at age 15 years drank larger quantities of beer at age 18 years.
A test of the matching hypothesis: alcohol dependence, intensity of treatment, and 12‐month outcome
Authors: EDWARDS GRIFFITH , TAYLOR COLIN
Published: January 2006

The “matching hypothesis”—the concept that treatment will be improved if matched to individual needs or characteristics—has, over recent years, attracted attention, and some research to test its validity has been conducted. These studies are briefly reviewed and an analysis then reported which focuses on exploration of the possible interaction between treatment intensity, patient characteristics with particular reference to degree of dependence on alcohol, and 12‐month treatment outcome. The data derive from a controlled trial in which patients were randomized between “Treatment” and “Advice”. No significant interactions of the kind postulated were identified and, at least for this data set, the matching hypothesis is not confirmed. Possible interpretations of these findings are discussed.
Prevalence and demographic factors of stimulant use
Authors: PICKERING H. , STIMSON GERRY V.
Published: January 2006

The use of stimulants for recreation purposes has increased considerably during the 20th century. Cocaine was first considered to be a drug of potential abuse during the First World War but was only perceived as a serious threat when it became widely used in socially and economically deprived urban areas of the USA in the 1980s. Use of amphetamines was common among certain occupational groups as a means of remaining alert until the 1950s, when they were seen to be abused by a small minority of recreational users. Controls were then introduced in most developed countries. The public health issue of stimulant use is that of finding a balance between the prevention of serious social or personal harm caused by abuse of these drugs while not impeding their beneficial use.
Overview: Biological processes relevant to drugs of dependence
Authors: GRUNBERG NEIL E.
Published: January 2006

Key points are highlighted from five papers that address biological processes underlying the actions of opiates, CNS stimulants, nicotine, alcohol, and benzodiazepines. It is noteworthy that: (1) positive and negative reinforcement are common processes underlying actions of drugs of dependence; (2) dopaminergic systems in the ventral tegmental area of the brain seem to be involved in the positive reinforcement of drugs of dependence; (3) GABA also may be involved in this positive reinforcement; (4) receptor sensitization and desensitization may be involved in the actions of drugs of dependence; (5) noradrenalin, 5–HT, ACh, NMDA and corticosteroids also may be involved in drug dependence; (6) motivational systems and processes in addition to positive and negative reinforcement deserve increased research attention; and (7) there may be genetic–based individual differences in drug dependence processes.
Overview: A comparison of withdrawal symptoms from different drug classes
Authors: WEST ROBERT , GOSSOP MICHAEL
Published: January 2006

Whereas early formulations of addictive behaviour placed great emphasis upon withdrawal as a defining feature, current views focus more upon compulsive use as as central characteristic. However, the withdrawal syndrome continues to occupy an important place in the study of the addictions. It is interesting both in its own right and in relation to the development and maintenance of the compulsive use of drugs. Despite the attention devoted to withdrawal phenomena over many years, precise demarcation of the withdrawal symptoms associated with drugs of dependence has proved difficult to achieve. Withdrawal from all drugs of dependence appears to lead to mood disturbances although the extent to which these are due to the pharmacological actions of like drugs or to other physiological or psychological processes is unclear. Sleep disturbance is also common, although again direct links with the pharmacological actions of the withdrawn drug are yet to be established. Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines and opiates is often associated with somatic symptoms. In the former two cases, these can involve sweating, tremor and occasionally seizures. Perceptual disturbances have also been reported. In the case of opiates, flu‐like symptoms are often reported, including muscle aches and gastric disturbances. In the case of nicotine, heightened irritability has been established as a direct pharmacological withdrawal effect. Characterization of stimulant withdrawal is still uncertain. There is little evidence of somatic symptoms but depression may occur as a result of a physiological rebound. There is also uncertainty over what role pharmacological withdrawal symptoms play in maintaining compulsive use. Further advances in our understanding of the nature and significance of withdrawal symptoms will depend on using precise operational definitions of features of withdrawal.
The prevention of stimulant misuse
Authors: KAPLAN CHARLES D. , HUSCH JERRI A. , BIELEMAN BERT
Published: January 2006

The term ‘stimulant’ refers to a class of drugs that increase psychophysiological arousal. From the viewpoint of prevention, it is more useful to look primarily at the social consequences and functions of stimulants. Every society has a documented use of stimulants. When planning interventions the dynamics of use must be placed in the foreground. Stimulant epidemics, like problematic stimulant users, have a natural tendency to burn themselves out. Different types of stimulants may differ in their origins, but their epidemiological consequences and use functions tend to be similar. Implications for prevention can be drawn from the characteristics of stimulant use epidemics. Users at risk for socially unacceptable patterns should be targeted for prevention efforts. Mass media campaigns that single out stimulants should be avoided. Much of the harm associated with stimulants is a consequence of life‐styles characterized by polydrug use and unhealthy practices. Prevention should be timed to the appropriate period of the epidemic. Interventions useful at period I will not work at period 2. The recommendations of the WHO Advisory Group on the Adverse Effects of Cocaine and Coca provide a good model for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention for all forms of stimulant misuse. Stimulant prevention must be creative in finding ways of encouraging the movements of the drug to the periphery of users’lives.
Overview: Public health, health promotion and addictive substances
Authors: ANDERSON PETER
Published: January 2006

All of the dependence‐producing substances are capable of causing harm but in most cases the harm is preventable. This paper seeks to develop some of the themes raised by the five substance‐based prevention papers by presenting an outline of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. The Ottawa Charter provides a strategic framework for prevention and covers public health policy, trade issues, availability, price, advertising and types of supportive environments and responses. It is suggested that an effective approach to the prevention of harm from dependence‐producing substances would involve a planned response which included alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Such a response would also emphasize financial and economic consequences of drug use, and would seek to strengthen or develop links with partners outside the immediate health care arena.
Treatments for smokers
Authors: HAJEK PETER
Published: January 2006

Research in treatments for smokers benefits from the feasibility of relatively large samples and well developed evaluative methodology. The field is currently dominated by nicotine replacement methods, for which some degree of efficacy has been clearly demonstrated, A number of psychological methods are widely used as well, although there is little consistent evidence that one specific method is better than any other. Two approaches 10 treating smokers can be distinguished, i.e. intensive clinic‐based treatments and brief community‐orientated interventions, e.g. in primary health care. The latter are applicable on a large scale, and aim to affect overall smoking prevalence. Among intensive treatments, the current state of the an would include nicotine replacement and group support of several weeks’ duration. In primary health care, simple routine interventions are the preferred option.
Potential development of community oriented HIV outreach among drug injectors in the UK
Authors: STIMSON GERRY V. , EATON GAIL , RHODES TIM , POWER ROBERT
Published: January 2006

Given the current epidemiological and behavioural risk profile of HIV infection among injecting drug users in the UK, the main strategic task continues to be to develop interventions to prevent the spread of HIV infection. Outreach to drug injectors is an important part of the wider UK HIV prevention strategy. Tins paper reviews critically and reassesses practically the role of outreach interventions among drug injectors in the UK. It is argued that despite the development of innovative outreach activity, the full potential of outreach has not been realized due to its theoretical orientation and inbuilt structural limitations. Outreach has predominantly operated with an ‘individual’ orientation, aiming to work with individual clients to help them to change their behaviour, gain access to services, or to become better users of services. The main thesis of this paper is that current outreach provision needs to be complemented by ‘community change’ models which seek to engender changes in the social etiquette of drug use within communities of drug injectors. The paper argues that the social networks through which HIV may be transmitted are the same social networks that may be coopted for HIV prevention. Future outreach services must turn to these networks as a way of targeting and encouraging changes among broad populations of drug injectors. Such models might use indigenous advocates, working within social networks, supported by community outreach facilitators.
Social determinants predict needle‐sharing behaviour among injection drug users in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: STRATHDEE STEFFANIE A. , PATRICK DAVID M. , ARCHIBALD CHRISTOPHER P. , OFNER MARIANNA , CORNELISSE PETER G. A. , REKART MICHAEL , SCHECHTER MARTIN T. , O'SHAUGHNESSY MICHAEL V.
Published: January 2006

Despite the fact that needle exchange was introduced in Vancouver as early as 1988, needle sharing remains common. An analysis was conducted to identify determinants of borrowing used needles among subjects participating in a case‐control study. IDUs had a documented HIV seroconversion after 1 January, 1994 (h = 89), or repeatedly tested HIV‐seronegative after this date (h = 192). Interviewer‐administered questionnaires focused on drug use, sexual behaviours, source of needles and depression. Subjects were asked if they had “ever been forced to have sex” as a child, youth or adult. Logistic regression identified determinants of borrowing needles. After controlling for HIV serostatus, factors independently associated with borrowing were injecting > 4 times/day, poly drug use, and ever experiencing non‐consensual sex (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 6.5). Depression was associated with borrowing, although not independently so. Homosexual activity was independently associated with borrowing among males, whereas living with a sexual partner was an independent predictor for females. Access or barriers to clean needle use were not associated with borrowing. Social determinants, particularly a history of sexual abuse, are among the most significant predictors of needle borrowing among Vancouver's IDUs. Early identification of these factors should be a component of HIV prevention programmes.
Research into smoking or nicotine and human cognitive performance: does the source of funding make a difference?
Authors: TURNER CHRISTINA , SPILICH GEORGE J.
Published: January 2006

Aims. To establish whether there is a relationship between tobacco industry support of basic research and the conclusions drawn by the authors of that research. Design. A sample of 91 papers investigating the effects of tobacco or nicotine use upon cognitive performance was analyzed to see if the pattern of conclusions drawn by researchers acknowledging tobacco industry support differed from the pattern of conclusions drawn by researchers not acknowledging tobacco industry support. Findings. Scientists acknowledging tobacco industry support reported typically that nicotine or smoking improved cognitive performance while researchers not reporting the financial support of the tobacco industry were more nearly split on their conclusions. Conclusions. While it is only possible to speculate on the possible reasons, the existence of a possible bias in the published literature according to funding source must be given serious consideration.
Project MATCH secondary a priori hypotheses
Authors:   PROJECT MATCH RESEARCH GROUP
Published: January 2006

Aims. (1) To assess the benefits of matching alcohol dependent clients to three treatments, based upon a priori hypotheses involving 11 client attributes; (2) to discuss the implications of these findings and of matching hypotheses previously reported from Project MATCH. Setting and participants. (1) Clients receiving outpatient therapy (N = 952; 72% male); (2) clients receiving aftercare therapy following inpatient or day hospital treatment (N = 774; 80% male). Intervention. Clients were randomly assigned to one of three 12‐week, manual‐guided, individual treatments: Cognitive Behavioral Coping Skills Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) or Twelve‐Step Facilitation Therapy (TSF). Design. Two parallel but independent randomized clinical trials were conducted, one with outpatients, one with aftercare clients. Participants were monitored over 15 months including a 1‐year post‐treatment period. Individual differences in response to treatment were modeled as a latent growth process and evaluated for 17 contrasts specified a priori. Outcome measures were percentage of days abstinent and drinks per drinking day. Findings. Two a priori contrasts demonstrated significant post‐treatment attribute by treatment interactions: (1) outpatients high in anger and treated in MET had better post‐treatment drinking than in CBT; (2) aftercare clients high in alcohol dependence had better post‐treatment outcomes in TSF; low dependence clients did better in CBT. Other matching effects varied over time, while still other interactions were opposite that predicted. Conclusions. (1) Anger and dependence should be considered when assigning clients to these three treatments; (2) considered together with the results of the primary hypotheses, matching effects contrasting these psychotherapies are not robust. Possible explanations include: (a) among the client variables and treatments tested, matching may not be an important factor in determining client outcomes; (b) design issues limited the robustness of effects; and (c) a more fully specified theory of matching is necessary to account for the complexity of the results.
Brief coping skills treatment for cocaine abuse: substance use outcomes at three months
Authors: MONTI PETER M. , ROHSENOW DAMARIS J. , MICHALEC ELIZABETH , MARTIN ROSEMARIE A. , ABRAMS DAVID B.
Published: January 2006

Aims. Coping skills training, a promising treatment approach for alcoholics, was adapted for use with cocaine abusers and effects on outcome were investigated. Design. A cocaine‐specific coping skills training (CST) package was compared to an attention placebo control when both were added to a comprehensive treatment program. Setting. The sites were two private substance abuse treatment facilities, one residential and rural, and one an urban partial hospital. Participants. Substance abusers in treatment with cocaine abuse or dependence were selected. Intervention. The CST intervention was conducted in individual sessions. It involved functional analysis of high risk situations and coping skills training based on the functional analysis. Findings. Clients who received CST had significantly fewer cocaine use days and the length of their longest binge was significantly shorter during the 3‐month follow‐up period compared to clients in the control condition. CST did not affect relapse rates or use of other substances. Conclusions. Results support the notion that cocaine‐specific CST is a promising adjunct to treatment for cocaine abusers.
HIV prevention and drug treatment services for drug misusers: a national study of community pharmacists' attitudes and their involvement in service specific training
Authors: SHERIDAN JANIE , STRANG JOHN , TAYLOR COLIN , BARBER NICK
Published: January 2006

Aims. To investigate the attitudes of community pharmacists towards HIV prevention services for drug misusers and the relationship between these and their involvement in service provision. Design. Postal survey of a one in four random sample of community pharmacies (N = 2654) in England and Wales, stratified by Family Health Service Authority, in 1995, using up to four mailshots. Setting. Community pharmacies in England and Wales. Participants. The community pharmacist in charge of the dispensary at the random sample of community pharmacies. Measurements. Information on attitudes and behaviour were collected through self‐completion and postal return of structured questionnaires using questions with both category responses and Likert scales. Findings. A 74.8% response rate was achieved. Community pharmacists were positive about their role in HIV prevention and the provision of clean injecting equipment to injecting drug users—positive attitudes that were more evident among those pharmacists already providing these services. However, they had concerns over the effect drug misusers may have on business and indicated a need for more training and for more role support. Only a minority had taken pan in training on drug misuse and HIV prevention (34.7% and 21.3%, respectively). Many community pharmacists supported the proposal that there should be extensions of their involvement, to include services such as supervising the consumption of methadone in the pharmacy (38.6%) and collecting used prescribed ampoules front patients (33.8%). Positive relationships were identified between training and attitude, and between attitude and service provision. Changes in attitude responses between this 1995 survey and the earlier 1988 survey are also presented. Conclusions. Recommendations are made for further training and greater communication between prescriber/carer and the community pharmacists, for involvement of community pharmacies in new possible forms of service provision, and for there to be greater attention to the value of role support.
Abuse of codeine‐containing cough syrups: a report from India
Authors: MATTOO S. K. , BASU D. , SHARMA A. , BALAJI M. , MALHOTRA A.
Published: January 2006

Aim. To study the socio‐demographic and clinical profile of patients seeking treatment for abuse of codeine‐containing cough syrups (CCS). Design. Observational; case series. Setting. An addiction clinic in North India. Participants. Forty‐six consecutive treatment‐seeking patients of DSM‐III‐R‐diagnosed dependence on CCS, from January 1994 to June 1995. Measurements. Semi‐structured interview schedule for patients and their family covering socio‐demographic and clinical variables. Findings. All patients were male. Many were young (mean age 27 years), with completed school education (85%) and from urban backgrounds (80%). The mean age of starting CCS use was 23 years. Initiated commonly through friends (89%) and often for curiosity (63%), 89% of the patients progressed to daily use of CCS in less than 6 months (54% in less than a month), and in quantities much higher than prescribed limits. Opioid‐like withdrawal was reported by 92%. Concurrent use of other substances, psychiatric co‐morbidity and HIV‐related risk behaviour were present in 72%, 24% and 45%, respectively. Most of the patients reported a ‘stimulant’ effect of CCS (‘alert’, 96%; ‘more active’, 94%). Conclusions. The combination of an opioid and a sympathomimetic agent in the CCS may cause a special, distinct euphoretic effect. This effect, along with the low price, easy availability and ‘pure’ preparation of CCS, may be responsible for the rapidly rising popularity of the CCS as drugs of abuse in India.
The impact of law enforcement activity on a heroin market
Authors: WEATHERBURN DON , LIND BRONWYN
Published: January 2006

It may be argued that seizing large quantities of heroin being imported into the country should decrease its supply and hence increase its price, resulting in a reduction in the quantity of the drug being purchased or consumed. To date, however, there has been no empirical evidence that heroin seizures in Australia have any effect on the price of heroin at street level. This article describes a 2‐year research study during which the price and purity of street‐level heroin were regularly monitored. It was found that heroin seizures had no effect on the price, purity or perceived availability of heroin at street level, it was further found that admissions to methadone treatment were not affected by the price or perceived availability of heroin or by local arrests for heroin use/possession, nor was any relationship found between these arrests and the price of street‐level heroin. Nevertheless, two‐thirds of those who sought entry to local methadone programmes indicated the price as a reason for slopping using heroin. This paper argues that supply‐side law enforcement should only be used as a strategy for maintaining high heroin prices if the demand for heroin can be shown to be price‐elastic and, further, that the costs of such a strategy need to be weighed against the benefits.
Alcohol policy and aviation safety
Authors: HOLLAND COOK CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
Published: January 2006

Aviation provides an environment which is almost uniquely unforgiving of mistakes. Accordingly, impairment of aircrew performance by alcohol can, and occasionally does, lead to catastrophic mistakes. That such disasters are rare, is a credit to the responsibility of aircrew themselves and to the effectiveness of aviation industry policies. Similarly, maintenance of this exemplary record depends upon continued attention to alcohol policy in the future. The aviation industry thus provides a useful model for the study of alcohol policies within a safety critical environment. Surprisingly, this model appears not to have been subjected to critical research and evaluation. Based upon previous research on alcohol and aviation, and in consideration of findings from the wider field of alcohol policy, suggestions are made here as to a promising framework for future alcohol policy formation in the aviation environment.
Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low
Authors: CURRAN H. VALERIE , TRAVILL ROSS A.
Published: January 2006

Aims. Recreational use of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) is widespread. The present study aimed to examine both the acute and residual effects of this drug on users' mood and cognitive Junction. Design and participants. A parallel group design was used to compare 12 participants who reported having taken MDMA with 12 participants who reported having consumed only alcohol, on the relevant night (day 1). These same participants were then re‐assessed the following day (day 2) and again mid‐week (day 5). Findings. Acute effects of MDMA broadly replicated previous findings. MDMA users rated elevated mood on day 1 but significantly low mood on day 5, at which point some participants scored within the range for clinical depression. In contrast, the alcohol group showed less pronounced changes, which followed a U‐shaped curve over days with the lowest point being day 2. The MDMA group also showed significant impairments on an attentional/working memory task, compared with alcohol users. Conclusions. Weekend use of MDMA may lead to depressed mood mid‐week. Possible mechanisms underlying the findings are discussed in terms of temporary depletion of serotonin, serotonergic neurotoxity and psychological aspects of mood change.
Choosing a cut‐off on the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) for amphetamine users
Authors: TOPP LIBBY , MATTICK RICHARD P.
Published: January 2006

In order to ascertain a cut‐off score on the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) which is indicative of clinically significant amphetamine dependence, 327 regular amphetamine users were administered the SDS, along with the “Disorders resulting from the use of psychoactive substances” section of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) for DSM‐III‐R. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used in order to determine which cut‐off score on the SDS allowed the best trade‐off between sensitivity and specificity, when calibrated against the presence or absence of a DSM‐III‐R diagnosis of severe amphetamine dependence. Results suggest that the SDS has high diagnostic utility, and that a score of greater than four on the scale is indicative of problematic amphetamine use.
New drug treatments for alcohol problems: a critical appraisal
Authors: MONCRIEFF JOANNA , DRUMMOND D. COLIN
Published: January 2006

This review considers the novel drug treatments that have been suggested to help prevent relapse or attenuate drinking in people with alcohol problems. The evidence from randomized controlled trials for the efficacy of some of the main candidates: acamprosate, naltrexone, bromocriptine, selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors and buspirone, was examined. Important methodological problems which may have introduced bias were detected in many of the trials. These included failure to test the integrity of the double blind, excluding or estimating outcome in early withdrawals and the comparison of groups on multiple outcome measures with selective reporting of results. In addition, the generalizability of some studies was limited by the procedures used for sample selection. In view of the potential adverse effects of drug treatment it is concluded that the evidence is not strong enough to support the introduction of any of these substances into routine clinical practice at present. The review also emphasizes the importance of methodological rigour to maximize objectivity in treatment evaluation research.
Media advocacy in community prevention: news as a means to advance policy change
Authors: HOLDER HAROLD D. , TRENO ANDREW J.
Published: January 2006

Media advocacy within the Community Trials Project refers to the strategic use of news media to advance a social or public policy initiative. First, this paper presents a conceptual model that guided analyses of media advocacy. Secondly, it documents increases in alcohol‐related news coverage. Thirdly, it compares changes in perceived risk of arrest after drinking and driving that can be linked to increased DUI news coverage. Fourthly, it examines community awareness of enforcement efforts in terms of both media advocacy efforts and traditional public information campaigns. Results indicate that: (1) framing in media advocacy can increase coverage of news events generated by local community members including volunteers, (2) increased news coverage can be generated for both electronic (television) and print media, (3) increased news coverage did focus public attention on specific issues in support of prevention components, (4) while there are differential audiences/readers for the print (newspaper) and electronic (TV) media, both audiences are affected and (5) media advocacy can be more effective than a paid public information campaign in increasing public awareness of alcohol issues.
Preventing sales of alcohol to minors: results from a community trial
Authors: GRUBE JOEL W.
Published: January 2006

This paper reports an evaluation of a community‐based approach to prevent underage sales of alcohol. The interventions focused on (a) enforcement of underage sales laws, (b) responsible beverage service (RBS) training and (c) media advocacy. The interventions were implemented in three experimental communities located in California and South Carolina. Purchase survey data were obtained before and after the interventions in each experimental community and in three matched comparison communities. Logistic regression analyses of the purchase survey data for the individual community pain and for the combined communities showed that sales to apparent minors were significantly reduced in the experimental sites. The findings indicate that these environmental interventions are promising prevention tools for communities that seek to reduce underage drinking.
Application of local policy to prevent alcohol problems: experiences from a community trial
Authors: HOLDER HAROLD D. , REYNOLDS ROBERT I.
Published: January 2006

Alcohol policy conventionally has been established at the national or regional, state and provincial levels. Alcohol policy at any level is not actually limited to the regulation and control of alcohol production, wholesale distribution, and retail sales. There are a number of alternatives for setting alcohol policies within a local community. Building upon existing national and state/provincial laws, policy makers at the community level can set priorities for allocating resources and enforcing laws related to drinking and driving, underage alcohol sales, alcohol serving practices of bars and restaurants and geographical density of alcohol outlets in the community. This paper concludes from the Community Trials Project that policies established at the local level can reduce alcohol problems.
Assessing the generalizability of smoking studies
Authors: HUGHES JOHN R. , GIOVINO GARY A. , KUEVENS R. MONINA , FIORE MICHAEL C.
Published: January 2006

We used data from the 1986 Adult Use of Tobacco Survey, 10 studies of self‐quitters and seven studies of treatment seekers, to illustrate how subpopulations of smokers might differ; e.g. treatment seekers vs. self‐quitters and research volunteers vs. smokers in the general population. Smoking researchers may wish to use our results to determine whether their sample is similar to the population of interest.
Why has alcohol consumption declined in countries of southern Europe?
Authors: GUAL ANTONI , COLOM JOAN
Published: January 2006

Alcohol consumption seems to be decreasing in the traditional wine countries of southern Europe. This paper describes the evolution of alcohol consumption over the last 30 years in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. For this purpose, data on alcohol production and per capita alcohol consumption in southern Europe are examined, and their reliability discussed. To analyse alcohol‐related mortality, liver cirrhosis death rates are also reviewed. Since 1980 overall alcohol production has increased by 10%, while wine production has decreased by 13%. The consumption of pure alcohol equivalent per capita has continually decreased, from a peak of 14 litres per year in 1974 to 10.4 litres in 1992. The reduction is dramatic for wine (42.3%) and slight for spirits (4.7%), while beer consumption has grown by 36.6%. These data seem to confirm a European trend towards the homogenization of drinking patterns. Marketing factors, public health policies, the evolution of prices and taxation, European Union agricultural policies, a growing awareness of public opinion about the toxicity of alcohol and competition from non‐alcoholic drinks are all factors that may partially explain these observed changes.