bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Note: An Empirical Study of Adolescent Student Attrition
Authors: Stephens Richard C. , Thibodeaux Lee , Sloboda Zili , Tonkin Peggy
Published: March 2012

Sample attrition, a major concern in any longitudinal study, is even more problematic when adolescents are the study population. The need to minimize the loss of participants in order to maintain the integrity of the cohort is vital in substance abuse prevention evaluations. The Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Study (ASAPS), a national school based prevention study being conducted in six sites across the country, followed students attending schools randomly assigned to either a treatment or control condition from the seventh through the eleventh grade. The percent of study dropouts after the ninth grade pretest warranted consideration of an attrition study to acquire data from those students who were no longer in a study school. A pilot study conducted with a sample of attrition cases in one site (51 of 495) was undertaken to assess the feasibility and costs of a full study. This paper describes the experiences gained from this pilot study in tracking study subjects. An exhaustive protocol was developed and contacts with parents were initiated through telephone calls and flyers sent by mail. Online public records and telephone directories were used to acquire additional contact information. Contact was established with 56.8% of the parents and resulted in completed surveys from 19.6% of the sample at a cost of $1,949.30 per survey.
Measuring Outcomes of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Cocaine Use among College Students: A Preliminary Test of the Shortened Inventory of Problems—Alcohol and Drugs (SIP-AD)
Authors: Gillespie Wayne , Holt Jessica Lynne , Blackwell Roger Lee
Published: March 2012

College provides a context for experimentation with alcohol and drugs, the consequences of which range from mild to severe. One purpose of this study involved testing the usefulness of the Shortened Inventory of Problems—Alcohol and Drugs (SIP-AD) to assess negative consequences associated with substance use. A random sample of students (n = 421) was drawn from a medium-sized, public university. Subjects reported patterns of use for alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine over both the last 30 days and the past year. Reliability and factor analyses illustrated the internal consistency and validity of the SIP-AD. Multiple linear regression was also used to show how demographic characteristics and substance use behaviors can predict problems associated with using alcohol and/or drugs.
Making Informed Decisions: How Attitudes and Perceptions Affect the Use of Crystal, Cocaine, and Ecstasy among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Authors: Kubicek Katrina , McDavitt Bryce , Carpineto Julie , Weiss George , Iverson Ellen F. , Kipke Michele D.
Published: March 2012

Although the use of illicit substances, particularly those commonly categorized as “club drugs”, among men who have sex with men (MSM), is well established in the literature, little is known about the decision making process that is used in deciding whether or not to use a particular substance. In this study, we examine the positive and negative attitudes and perceptions among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in regards to three specific drugs: crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. The findings reported here emerged from the baseline quantitative interviews and an accompanying qualitative phase of the Healthy Young Men's study (HYM), a longitudinal study examining risk and protective factors for substance use and sexual risk among an ethnically diverse sample of YMSM. Findings are discussed in relation to framing how service providers and others can design new and innovative interventions to prevent young men from initiating substance use.
Research Note: Drug Consumption Rooms and Needle and Syringe Exchange Programs
Authors: Patel Kiran
Published: March 2012

Drug consumption rooms and needle and syringe exchange programs have existed in some shape or form in different parts of the world for many years now. This Research Note reviews some of their advantages and disadvantages and considers possible advancements.
Women in the Drug Economy: A Metasynthesis of the Qualitative Literature
Authors: Maher Lisa , Hudson Susan L.
Published: March 2012

This paper aims to review and examine the qualitative research literature on women in the illicit drug economy and to identify and integrate key themes using the technique of qualitative metasynthesis. A search of citation lists and online bibliographic databases identified a total of 36 studies, 15 of which met the inclusion criteria of generating findings in relation to female participation using qualitative or ethnographic research methods. Results suggest that the drug economy is a gender-stratified labor market and that while women draw on a diverse range of economic and social resources, including informal sector networks such as those involved in sex work, family, and community and welfare networks, most women in most drug markets remain confined to low-level and marginal roles.
“You're Always Training the Dog”: Strategic Interventions to Reconfigure Drug Markets
Authors: Curtis Ric , Wendel Travis
Published: March 2012

Based on ethnographic observation of the changes in drug markets and violence in New York City over the past 20 years, this paper compares and contrasts three distinct types of drug markets and the types of systemic violence that are characteristic of each and argues that knowing which kinds of markets and contexts are associated with what kinds of violence can be valuable for policy makers and professionals. Further, evolving drug markets and different forms of violence associated with particular market types are, in part, responses to law enforcement interventions intended to eliminate drug markets. Police interventions alter the character of drug markets—either for better or for worse—as they adapt, and these interventions can produce markedly different outcomes with regard to violence and crime. Comparatively brief interventions of limited scope can effectively control violence and reconfigure markets by “training” them to act in ways less likely to produce violence and social disorder.
San Francisco's Freelancing Ecstasy Dealers: Towards a Sociological Understanding of Drug Markets
Authors: Sales Paloma , Murphy Sheigla
Published: March 2012

We present analyses based on selected findings from a NIDA-funded project entitled, “An Exploratory Study of Ecstasy Distribution” (2003–2006). We conducted in-depth interviews with 120 men and women in the San Francisco Bay area who had sold five or more doses five or more times in the six months prior to the interview. The research focused on the motivations and circumstances surrounding the decision to initiate sales, sales settings, the characteristics of both sellers and buyers and their relationships. It also focused on negotiated order and social identities. We describe the ways in which a sample of educated, housed, and employed Ecstasy dealers' attitudes and practices compared with more marginalized groups from other drug market studies. These findings suggest attention to social class, that is, the social characteristics of sellers and the availability of types of sales settings (public vs. private) is critical to developing a sociological understanding of drug markets.
Tajikistan: The Rise of a Narco-State
Authors: Paoli Letizia , Rabkov Irina , Greenfield Victoria A. , Reuter Peter
Published: March 2012

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan has experienced an extraordinary and devastating expansion of opiate trafficking and consumption. While heroin was virtually unknown in the country up to the mid-1990s and opium was produced and consumed locally only to a modest degree, in less than a decade Tajikistan has become a key transit country for Afghan opiates bound north- and westwards, at the same time as it has witnessed a rapid growth of domestic heroin use. Tajikistan now rivals Afghanistan for the unenviable title of the country most dependent on the illicit drug industry, with the opiate industry adding at least 30% to the recorded gross domestic product. The opiate trade is so important economically that it corrupts the whole political system. This article therefore argues that since the mid-1990s Tajikistan has become a narco-state, in which leaders of the most powerful trafficking groups occupy high-ranking government positions and misuse state structures for their own illicit businesses.
The Effect of Acculturation on Patterns of Hispanic Substance Use in Washington State
Authors: Akins Scott , Mosher Clayton , Smith Chad L. , Gauthier Jane Florence
Published: March 2012

A growing body of research on Hispanic substance use in the United States has found acculturation to result in increased drug use. This study contributes to this research by analyzing the effect of acculturation on Hispanic substance use in Washington State, a state with a rural and dispersed Hispanic population. Findings reveal acculturation to have a strong positive effect on levels of illicit drug use, hard drug use, binge drinking and bender drinking among Hispanics.
Trajectories of Acculturation and Enculturation in Relation to Heavy Episodic Drinking and Marijuana Use in a Sample of Mexican American Serious Juvenile Offenders
Authors: Losoya Sandra H. , Knight George P. , Chassin Laurie , Little Michelle , Vargas-Chanes Delfino , Mauricio Anne , Piquero Alex
Published: March 2012

This study examines the longitudinal relations of multiple dimensions of acculturation and enculturation to heavy episodic drinking and marijuana use in a sample of 300 male, Mexican-American, serious juvenile offenders. We track trajectories between ages 15 and 20 and also consider the effects of participants' time spent residing in supervised settings during these years. Results showed some (although not entirely consistent) support for the hypothesis that bicultural adaptation is most functional in terms of lowered substance use involvement. The current findings demonstrate the importance of examining these relations longitudinally and among multiple dimensions of acculturation and enculturation, and they call into question simple models that suggest that greater acculturation is associated with greater substance use among Mexican-American adolescents.
Mexican-American Youth Drug Use and Acculturation: A Note on the Mitigating Effects of Contextual Dynamics
Authors: Miller J. Mitchell , Miller Holly Ventura , Zapata Jesse T. , Yin Zenong
Published: March 2012

This study reexamines the relationship between acculturation and illicit drug use among a sample of Mexican-American adolescents in South Texas (n=3, 186). Logistic regression was used to test the relationship between marijuana and cocaine use and two acculturation scales while controlling for structural properties and social dynamics characterizing use environment. Findings suggest that acculturation correlates with increased use of both substances when operationalized by language but not when measurement is based in social interaction. Gang membership was found to be a more explanative indicator of drug use than acculturation, suggesting that Mexican-American drug use is better understood through utilization of models factoring delinquent peer effects.
Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence and Vaccination Rates among Hispanic Injection Drug Users Participating in a Vaccination Campaign
Authors: Heimer Robert , Grau Lauretta E. , Singer Merrill , Scott Greg , Marshall Patricia A. , Hu Yiqing , Seal Karen H.
Published: March 2012

Injection drug users are at high risk for hepatitis B virus infections. Nevertheless, few concerted efforts have been made to provide injectors with access to an available, safe, and effective vaccine. A campaign to screen and vaccinate injectors was conducted at syringe exchange programs in Chicago, Illinois, and Hartford and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Injectors with no evidence of past hepatitis B infection were eligible for vaccination. Eligible injectors were offered the three doses of vaccine and questioned about their past and current drug use, their sociodemographics, their understanding of hepatitis infections, and their motivation for participating in the study. Disease prevalence, vaccination rates, and the answers to study questions were analyzed comparing the sample of Hispanic to non-Hispanic injectors. We screened 1970 injectors, 860 of whom were eligible for vaccination. Of those, 591 received at least one dose of the vaccine. Hispanics comprised 30.9% of those screened, 24.9% of those eligible, and 25.2% of those receiving at least one dose. Hispanics were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites or non-Hispanic Blacks to have already been infected with hepatitis B—55.6% for Hispanics versus 46.5% for non-Hispanics. Although it is impossible to generalize from our study population to Hispanic injectors as a whole, it seems apparent that if greater efforts are made to promote hepatitis B vaccination among Hispanics, high rates of vaccination can be achieved.
“I'm Not a Real Dealer”: The Identity Process of Ecstasy Sellers
Authors: Jacinto Camille , Duterte Micheline , Sales Paloma , Murphy Sheigla
Published: March 2012

We present findings from a qualitative study of 80 women and men who sold Ecstasy in private settings. In this paper we explore Ecstasy sellers' identity processes and pathways to dealing. Interviewees believed “real dealers” sold in public settings to people they did not know and relied on drug sales as their main source of income. We found that 76% of the sample resisted the dealer identity due to the stigma associated with dealing, Ecstasy's benign reputation, selling in private settings, and customer bases that comprised mainly friends. The majority of the sample “drifted” into dealing and did not consciously decide to sell. Additionally, most interviewees did not implement precautionary sales strategies that characterize drug dealing operations described in our own and other investigators' research on drug markets. Ecstasy sellers created new, more positive identity constructions for themselves, which is also an important focus of this paper.
Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use and Delinquency: An Analysis with a National Sample
Authors: Ford Jason A.
Published: March 2012

There is an abundance of research on the association between substance use and delinquency. However, an area yet to be examined is the association between nonmedical prescription drug use and delinquency. This is important given the substantial increase in nonmedical prescription drug use in recent years and the fact that recent national surveys of substance use show that the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use is now greater than that of illicit drugs other than marijuana. Using data from a national sample, this research examines the association between nonmedical prescription drug use and delinquency among adolescents. Findings indicate that nonmedical prescription drug use is significantly associated with self-reported delinquency and arrest. However, the use of other illicit drugs is more strongly associated with self-reported delinquency and arrest than nonmedical prescription drug use.
Injecting and Noninjecting Heroin Administration: Transitions and Treatment Outcomes across 36 Months
Authors: Darke Shane , Ross Joanne , Williamson Anna , Mills Katherine L. , Havard Alys , Teesson Maree
Published: March 2012

To examine long-term stability in route of administration and treatment outcomes for noninjecting (NIHU) and injecting (IHU) heroin users, a cohort of 429 heroin users were followed over 36 months. Across follow-up, 35.3% of NIHU injected heroin and a transition to primary heroin injecting was made by 8.5%. Amongst IHU, 11.1% smoked heroin and a transition to primary heroin smoking was made by 2.3%. While NIHU were less likely to be in treatment at 36 months, there were no differences in overall treatment exposure. At 36 months, there were no differences in heroin use, polydrug use, crime, physical health, or psychopathology. NIHU were, however, less likely to be injecting and to have injection-related health problems. It is concluded that there is a substantial risk of injecting occurring amongst NIHU and that route of administration does not differentially predict long-term treatment response.
Predictors of Trauma and PTSD among Heroin Users: A Prospective Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: Mills Katherine L. , Teesson Maree , Ross Joanne , Darke Shane
Published: March 2012

This study is the first to examine exposure to trauma and the development of PTSD prospectively among heroin users. Participants were 309 heroin users followed up over two years as part of the Australian Treatment Outcome Study. Forty-one percent reported trauma exposure, and 5.8% developed PTSD over the follow-up period. Baseline characteristics that independently predicted trauma exposure were younger age and a history of imprisonment. Those who developed PTSD did not differ from those with a history of PTSD at baseline on any characteristics. Those who developed PTSD were, however, more likely to have a history of attempted suicide compared to those with no history of PTSD. These findings suggest that there is a need for trauma prevention programs particularly targeting younger people, those with a history of imprisonment, and those with a history of attempted suicide, who may be more susceptible to trauma exposure and the development of PTSD.
Substance Use, Drug Treatment, and Crime: An Examination of Intra-Individual Variation in a Drug Court Population
Authors: Gottfredson Denise C. , Kearley Brook W. , Bushway Shawn D.
Published: March 2012

This study examines the association between substance use and crime by modeling change within subjects over an 11 month period in a sample of 157 chronic drug-using offenders. For this sample, increased substance use—cocaine or heroin use as well as alcohol use—was significantly related to increases in self-reports of income generating but not violent crime. The study also demonstrates a significant effect of drug treatment in the last month on income generating crime, but not on violent crime and that the effect of drug treatment on income generating crime is mediated by reductions in drug use. This work refines prior work by showing that drug use effects vary by crime type and by providing further evidence that drug treatment reduces cocaine and heroin use, which leads to a reduction in property crime. It is the first study to examine variability over time in all three components (drug treatment, drug use, and crime) while adequately controlling for individual level propensity variables.
Research Note: Crime, Chemicals, and Culture: On the Complexity of Khat
Authors: Armstrong Edward G.
Published: March 2012

In 2006, khat was the object of a federal government operation, which dismantled a Somali trafficking organization and seized five tons of the plant valued at $2 million. Khat is an evergreen tree that grows in Africa. Its leaves are chewed as a stimulant by six million people every day. This paper describes the complexity of khat, beginning with an overview of its international usage and its contradictory portrayals. Primary concern, however, is focused on khat's complexity in terms of its criminal, chemical, and cultural dimensions. According to the FBI, khat is a controlled substance. But others disagree. A khat plant might contain cathinone, a Schedule I drug. But shortly after harvesting, cathinone decomposes. Throughout history, colonizers have used laws against khat to control indigenous Muslim populations. In the U. S., utilization of khat is central to the lives of many members of immigrant communities. Targeting khat can be viewed as targeting members of these communities.
Control or Conviction: Religion and Adolescent Initiation of Marijuana Use
Authors: Longest Kyle C. , Vaisey Stephen
Published: March 2012

Much research on adolescent deviance has supported a theory of social control, asserting that the lack of ties to institutions (such as school and parents) increases an adolescent's likelihood of using illicit substances. Researchers in this tradition often posit religion as one among many sources of norm enforcement. Yet religion may impact adolescents' behavior more directly through its ability to create beliefs and identities that are incompatible with illegal substance use. This paper uses a nationally representative, longitudinal data set of adolescents, the National Study of Youth and Religion, to examine the influence of traditional measures of social control, religious social control, and a new measure of religious salience on the probability of adolescents' first marijuana use. Results demonstrate that religious salience is more predictive of this initiation than are measures of involvement with religious organizations and several common social control indicators. We also find substantial interactions between different forms of religiosity. In the conclusion, we consider broader implications for understanding religion's influence on deviance.
The Cumulative Advantage of Religiosity in Preventing Drug Use
Authors: Jang Sung Joon , Bader Christopher D. , Johnson Byron R.
Published: March 2012

Although previous studies tend to find that religiosity is negatively associated with drug use, their findings are mostly nondevelopmental, whether based on cross-sectional or longitudinal data. Taking a life course perspective, we examine the effects of childhood religious socialization as well as involvement on drug use during later years. Based on the concept of cumulative advantage, it is hypothesized that religious upbringing decreases the probability of using drugs during adolescent years and into the early 20s indirectly not only via childhood religiosity but also through the protective and risk factors of drug use. To test this hypothesis, we conducted OLS regression analyses of three-wave panel data from the National Survey of Children. Results show that survey respondents raised by parents who believe religious training as well as service attendance to be important for children are less likely to use drugs during adolescence and early adulthood than those who were not raised by such parents.
Religiosity, Drug Use, and HIV-Related Risk Behaviors among Heroin Injectors
Authors: Weiss Michael L. , Chitwood Dale D. , Sánchez Jesús
Published: March 2012

The association between religiosity and reduced alcohol and drug use in the general population is commonly recognized, but research about the relationship between religiosity and drug-related risk behaviors among illicit drug users has received considerably less attention. This study explores the role of religiosity in explaining heavy polydrug use and other HIV-related risk behaviors among a tri-ethnic sample of 600 male and female active heroin injectors who were recruited from the streets of Miami-Dade County Florida. The effects of three dimensions of religiosity on heavy alcohol use, daily crack-cocaine use, and five HIV-related injection and sex risk behaviors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression techniques that controlled for demographics and self-reported HIV serostatus. The majority of heroin injectors reported some degree of religiosity as expressed by religious intentionality, worship attendance, and religious self-perception. Strong religious intentionality was associated with a decreased likelihood of reusing needles/syringes, but the regression results suggest that religiosity for the most part did not influence heavy polydrug use or other HIV-related risk behaviors of active heroin injectors.
Persistence in Turning to Faith as a Predictor of Drug Use and Criminality among Drug Court Clients
Authors: Duvall Jamieson L. , Staton-Tindall Michele , Oser Carrie B. , Leukefeld Carl
Published: March 2012

Faith-based beliefs are associated with and considered to be a vital component in enhancing the efficacy of substance abuse treatment and recovery. However, relatively little empirical information has been accumulated on the temporal stability of individuals' use of faith and its importance before and following initiation of the therapeutic process. The current study examined persistence in turning to faith across time as a predictor of substance use, criminal behavior, and perceived addiction severity in a sample of 500 Kentucky Drug Court participants. Results suggest that when modeling variance in faith, which persists across the two-year span of Drug Court involvement as a latent construct, greater persistence in one's faith predicts decreases in substance use frequency measured at the final 24-month interview. The latent faith construct was marginally related to differences in 24-month criminal behavior and was not associated with perceptions of addiction severity. Results are discussed for substance abuse treatment needs and recovery.
Women's Early Recovery: Managing the Dilemma of Substance Abuse and Intimate Partner Relationships
Authors: Rivaux Stephanie L. , Sohn Sunju , Armour Marilyn Peterson , Bell Holly
Published: March 2012

Numerous studies have shown that women's patterns of substance use are strongly impacted by social relationships. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological method, this study examined the interplay between intimate partner relationships and substance abuse recovery through in-depth interviews with 17 women in a treatment program. Six essential themes about the dilemmas posed by recovery and relationships emerged from analysis: (a) experiencing themselves as damaged goods; (b) paying the price for both recovery and relationship choices made; (c) trading parts of self for relationships and drugs; (d) waking from the nightmare and realizing the impact of abuse; (e) hoping, but not always quite believing, in the possibility of recovery; (f) asking themselves “who's in charge of my life?” This study expands on previous findings by examining critical similarities in the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and recovery for women and the meanings they assign to each.
How Predictors of Prescription Drug Abuse Vary by Age
Authors: Arkes Jeremy , Iguchi Martin Y.
Published: March 2012

Previous studies that have identified the predictors of prescription drug abuse have either focused on a specific age group or pooled all age groups together into one sample. This approach constrains the predictors to have the same effect across age groups. In this study, we use the 2001 to 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to estimate separate models across five age groups for the past year nonmedical use of prescription drugs. The results indicate that several factors (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity marital status, other substance use) have quite different correlations with prescription drug abuse across age groups. This suggests that more accurate profiles of prescription drug abusers can be obtained by estimating separate models for different age groups.
Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants and Analgesics: Associations with Social and Academic Behaviors among College Students
Authors: Arria Amelia M. , O'Grady Kevin E. , Caldeira Kimberly M. , Vincent Kathryn B. , Wish Eric D.
Published: March 2012

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and analgesics was assessed from personal interviews with a stratified random sample of 1,253 first-year college students ages 17 to 20 attending a large public university (86% response rate). Lifetime and past-year prevalence of nonmedical use of stimulants, analgesics, or both was 19.6%wt and 15.6%wt, respectively. Nonmedical users had significantly lower grade point averages (GPAs) in high school as compared with nonusers; in college they skipped classes more often, spent more time socializing, and spent less time studying. For example, nonmedical users of both stimulants and analgesics skipped 21 % of their college classes whereas nonusers skipped 9%. Controlling for high school GPA and other factors, past-year nonmedical use independently predicted lower college GPA by the end of the first year of college; this effect was partially mediated by skipping more classes. Nonmedical users of prescription drugs comprise a high-risk group for academic problems in college.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Two Forms of Time-Space Sampling to Identify Club Drug-Using Young Adults
Authors: Parsons Jeffrey T. , Grov Christian , Kelly Brian C.
Published: March 2012

Time-space sampling has been used to generate representative samples of both hard-to-reach and location-based populations. Because of its emphasis on multi-tiered randomization (i.e., time, space, and individual), some have questioned the feasibility of time-space sampling as a cost-effective strategy. In an effort to better understand issues related to drug use among club-going young adults (ages 18 to 29) in the New York City nightlife scene, two variations of time-space sampling methods were utilized and compared (Version 1: randomized venue, day, and individuals within venues: Version 2: randomized venue and day). A list of nightlife venues were randomized and survey teams approached potential participants as they entered or exited venues to conduct brief anonymous surveys. Over the course of 24 months, 18,169 approaches were conducted and 10,678 consented to complete the brief questionnaire (V1 response rate = 46.0%, V2 response rate = 62.5%). Drug use was fairly common, with nearly two-thirds of the sample reporting having ever tried an illegal drug and more than half of drug users specifically tried either MDMA/ecstasy and/or cocaine. There were few differences between young adults surveyed during Version 1 and Version 2. Time-space sampling is an effective strategy to quickly detect and screen club drug users. Although caution is urged, elimination of the third tier of randomization (i.e., individual level counting) from time-space sampling may significantly improve response rates while only minimally impacting sample characteristics.
Violent Victimization and the Routine Activities/Lifestyle of Active Drug Users
Authors: Koo Dixie J. , Chitwood Dale D. , Sánchez Jesús
Published: March 2012

The present study examines violent victimization among a sample of active drug users. Two theoretical perspectives are combined to form the underlying conceptual framework of the study: One draws upon routine activities/lifestyle theory and the other incorporates the street addict role theory. While routine activities/lifestyle theory addresses victimization in general, the street addict role theory explains the specific lifestyle characteristics of an active drug abuser which are relevant to the victimization of illicit drug users. We find the prevalence of violent victimization to be high. Approximately 22% of respondents reported being victimized within a 30 day period. We also find support for combining the two perspectives to help explain violent victimization. Demographic, personal networks, drug use, and street business domain factors are associated with violent victimization for this high risk population. Our study extends the investigation of violent victimization among illicit drug users by identifying characteristics that differentiate drug users who are recent victims of violence from others who have not been similarly victimized.
Institutionalization of Drug Abuse Research in Academia: One Professor's View
Authors: McCoy Clyde B.
Published: March 2012

Substance abuse is marginalized both as an activity and as an area of study. Substance abuse research is a relatively new field, and in the early days faculty members engaging in such research found it difficult to obtain tenure track positions at universities. Funding for substance abuse study was limited, depending mainly on the National Institute on Drug Abuse for grants. This article describes one professor's role in the institutionalization of substance abuse research in academia and the benefits of a career in this field.
Reflections on 40 Years of Drug Abuse Research: Changes in the Epidemiology of Drug Abuse
Authors: Clayton Richard R. , Sloboda Zili , Page Bryan
Published: March 2012

The discipline of epidemiology utilizes the constructs of agent, host, vector, and environment to study the incidence and prevalence (i.e., the nature, extent, distribution, correlates) and the contexts, and consequences of drug abuse in the United States. This paper provides a selected review of the results of 40 years of epidemiological study of drug abuse using surveillance systems, general population surveys, ethnography and qualitative research approaches. It then addresses the challenges in conducting research on drug abuse epidemiology. The paper concludes with some missed opportunities and lessons learned in four decades of a large portfolio of research studies conducted by an impressive array of distinguished scientists.
Criminality and Addiction: Selected Issues for Future Policies, Practice, & Research
Authors: Anglin M. Douglas , Brown Barry S. , Dembo Richard , Leukefeld Carl
Published: March 2012

The high cost of incarceration and a general confidence in the effectiveness of drug abuse treatment have led many states to adopt community-based drug abuse treatment as part of, or as an alternative to, incarceration. Community re-entry and aftercare have therefore received increasing attention from both practitioners and researchers. This article examines possibilities for encouraging change in both adult and juvenile justice treatment. Four issues are highlighted: (1) relapse and aftercare, (2) co-occurring disorder, (3) juvenile justice programming, and (4) women's treatment. The success of U.S. drug treatment policy depends on a capacity to resolve these and related issues.
Black Beauties, Gorilla Pills, Footballs, and Hillbilly Heroin: Some Reflections on Prescription Drug Abuse and Diversion Research over the past 40 Years
Authors: Inciardi James A. , Cicero Theodore J.
Published: March 2012

Although the problem of prescription drug abuse has endured for well over two centuries, research into the abuse and diversion of these drugs has been relatively recent. The first general population survey to document the abuse of prescription medications occurred in 1970, and subsequent studies demonstrated that the abuse and diversion of amphetamines, opioids, and sedatives has continued to be widespread. During the 1980s and much of the 1990s, prescription drug abuse took a back seat to other more pressing concerns: “freebase” and powder cocaine, the cocaine wars, crack and sex-for-crack exchanges, rising rates of drug-related street crime, and HIV/AIDS among injection and non-injection drug users. However, recent surveys suggest that the current outbreak of prescription drug abuse began during the early to mid-1990s. Although the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs was clearly an evolving problem, what seemed to galvanize the attention of the media, the government, and the public at large was OxyContin®. Currently, there is no question that the problems of prescription drug abuse and diversion continue to grow. Why this is so, however, is open to speculation. Perhaps the reason lies in the increasing numbers of prescription drugs that are being legally marketed. Or perhaps the popularity of prescription drugs is rooted in the beliefs that they are more acceptable, less dangerous, and less subject to legal consequences than are illicit drugs.
Reflections on 40 Years of Drug Abuse Prevention Research
Authors: Sloboda Zili , Cottler Linda B. , Hawkins J. David , Pentz Mary Ann
Published: March 2012

Over the past twenty-five years, tremendous progress has been made in the area of drug abuse prevention research. The accumulated findings from longitudinal studies of adolescents regarding the factors associated with vulnerability to the substance use and abuse and trends from national surveys of substance use showing their association to societal perceptions of the harmfulness resulting from the use of these substances have informed the development of effective innovative prevention strategies. The 1990s saw a reversal in the perception of the value and importance of drug abuse prevention research with recognition of the field's approach to intervention development and implementation and its scientific rigor in demonstrating intervention impact. This paper reflects on this history anticipating both the positive and negative aspects of the future for the field.
Drug Abuse Research: A Shifting Paradigm
Authors: Alemagno Sonia A.
Published: March 2012

In 1962, Thomas Kuhn wrote “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” and popularized the concept of “paradigm shift.” Kuhn commented that scientific advancement is not evolutionary, but involves “a series of peaceful interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions.” It is during these revolutions that “one conceptual world is replaced by another.” The presentations of the researchers at this conference represent the shifting paradigm of drug abuse research. The presentations at “40 Years of Drug Abuse” Research“ will prompt future researchers to integrate the collective work of distinguished epidemiologists, ethnographers, neurobiologists, pharmacologists, as well as prevention, treatment, services, and policy researchers. As the next generation, we are called to use methods that are both transdisciplinary and translational. A transdisciplinary and translational future will require next generation drug abuse researchers to apply knowledge of basic science to prevention or treatment strategies.
Understanding Drug Use over the Life Course: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Hser Yih-Ing , Hamilton Alison , Niv Noosha
Published: March 2012

Over the past 20 years, much exciting addiction research has been conducted. Extensive knowledge has been gathered about comorbid issues, particularly mental health disorders, HIV, and criminal justice involvement. Health services addiction research has become increasingly sophisticated, shifting its focus from patients to consider also services, organizations, and financing structures. Furthermore, through several long-term follow-up studies, empirical evidence convincingly demonstrates that drug dependence is not an acute disorder, and is best understood through a life course perspective with an emphasis on chronicity. This article highlights three major directions for future addiction research: developing strategies for chronic care (including longitudinal intervention studies), furthering cross-system linkage and coordination, and utilizing innovative methods (e.g., growth curve modeling, longitudinal mixed methods research) to strengthen the evidence base for the life course perspective on drug addiction.
Adapting HIV Interventions for Women Substance Abusers in International Settings: Lessons for the Future
Authors: Wechsberg Wendee M.
Published: March 2012

Many substance abusers are at risk for HIV due to their drug using and sexual behaviors. HIV interventions developed early on for substance abusers did not account for gender differences. Women's risk for HIV around the world makes them more vulnerable than men, yet their circumstances are different and adaptations to interventions are needed. The Women's CoOp, considered a best-evidence intervention, has been adapted with several groups of noninjecting women in South Africa and with injecting drug-using women in Russia. To reach vulnerable women in diverse settings to test interventions to reduce their risk, researchers also need to mentor the next generation of scientists to help stem the feminization of HIV among substance abusers.
Exploring Factors Related to Readiness to Change Tobacco Use for Clients in Substance Abuse Treatment
Authors: Toussaint Danielle W. , VanDeMark Nancy R. , Silverstein Meredith , Stone Erik
Published: March 2012

Misunderstanding around clients' readiness to quit tobacco may be part of the reason why only a minority of substance abuse treatment facilities address tobacco use. The purpose of this study was to explore readiness to quit tobacco among a heterogeneous sample of 542 tobacco-using adults in substance abuse treatment and to assess factors influencing readiness to participate in cessation services. Results suggest that while many clients were considering tobacco cessation at some point in the future, few wanted assistance to quit or believed that cessation should be initiated concurrently with substance abuse treatment. However, most clients agreed that concurrent tobacco cessation should be offered to other clients in treatment. This ambivalence is partially explained by the clients' personal readiness to quit now, their frequency of tobacco use, and length of stay. Greater understanding of factors related to readiness for tobacco cessation may inform approaches to incorporating tobacco cessation into treatment services.
Medical and Mental Health Status among Drug Dependent Patients Participating in a Smoking Cessation Treatment Study
Authors: Lima Jennifer E. , Reid Malcolm S. , Smith Jennifer L. , Zhang Yulei , Jiang Huiping , Rotrosen John , Nunes Edward
Published: March 2012

Substance abusers have a large number of medical and psychiatric problems, and 70–90% are smokers. The aim of this analysis was to examine the prevalence and correlates of medical and psychiatric problems in this sample of drug dependent patients who were participants in a multi-site study of smoking cessation interventions while engaged in substance abuse treatment. Descriptive analyses showed 72.8% of participants had at least one medical problem at baseline and 64.1% had at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Medical problems correlated strongly with age, smoking severity, and pack-years; psychiatric problems correlated with gender and ethnicity. Smoking cessation treatment was associated with a moderate reduction in the ASI Medical composite score. More research is needed on the possible effects of combined treatment of substance abuse and concurrent medical and psychiatric problems. Offering smoking cessation in conjunction with primary care may be a way to address the health needs of this population.
Development of the Smoking Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (S-KAP) Instrument
Authors: Delucchi Kevin L. , Tajima Barbara , Guydish Joseph
Published: March 2012

This report describes the development and measurement characteristics of a new measure of smoking knowledge, attitudes, and practices (S-KAP) among treatment providers. Data are based on survey responses from 336 paid staff working in one of three drug abuse treatment or HIV care settings. Exploratory factor analysis, used to examine the factor structure, pointed towards five underlying factors: a single “knowledge” factor, three “attitude” factors (‘treatment barriers,’ ‘counselor self-efficacy,’ and ‘counselor attitudes’) and a single “practices” factor. The Knowledge scale had a standardized Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .85. The coefficients for Barriers, Self-Efficacy, and Attitudes were .81, .72, and .74, respectively. The Practice scale had a standardized Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .91. These results indicate that the proposed scales have reasonably good psychometric characteristics and will allow researchers to quantify staff knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding smoking cessation treatments and issues.
Bar Patronage after a Smoking Ban
Authors: Menke J. Michael
Published: March 2012

On May 1, 2005, the city of Flagstaff, Arizona enacted a smoking ban in standalone bars. All other establishments already had smoking bans in place for at least three years. Trained observers carried air monitoring equipment and counted lit cigarettes and patrons on two weekends before and four weekends after the ban. Monthly hospitality revenues from 2003 to 2006 were also collected from the Coconino County Tax Assessor's office and analyzed for changes after the ban. Air quality improved immediately by 87% in bars, with no appreciable decrease in the total bar revenues over the next three years. All hospitality businesses experienced a general leveling off of growth after the ban, suggesting a change in more general economic factors. As an industry, hospitality was unaffected by the smoking ban, though individual establishments could have been adversely affected. The standalone bar industry revenue continued to increase after the ban. Alcohol and cigarette co-consumption was not supported.
The Neurobiology of Nicotine Addiction: Clinical and Public Policy Implications
Authors: Gardner Paul D. , Tapper Andrew R. , King Jean A. , DiFranza Joseph R. , Ziedonis Douglas M.
Published: March 2012

Clinicians, social scientists, researchers, and policy makers appreciate the need to understand the neurobiology of nicotine addiction and how this information can lead to new treatments and provide support for public policy debates on parity and preventing adolescent tobacco use. In a “bench-to-bedside” manner, this review covers both clinical and basic science perspectives. Both the reward and sensitization-homeostasis theories of nicotine addiction are supported by new understanding of clinical issues of rapid tolerance, withdrawal, sensitization, and craving when examined by functional brain imaging, genetics, and basic science studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This review provides information to help shape public policy, fight stigma, and improve clinical treatment and research. The fight for parity in health care requires education about the neurobiological basis of addiction versus the stigmatized bad habit or simple socialization. Parity must support reimbursement for nicotine replacement medications or other FDA approved medications and psychosocial treatments.
Accounting for Variation in the Perceived Effects of Adolescent Substance Use: Steps towards a Variable Reinforcement Model
Authors: Brezina Timothy
Published: March 2012

Prior research indicates that many young people associate substance use with immediate pleasures and rewards, including kicks, thrills, excitement, or relief from psychic pain. Moreover, the anticipation of such rewards appears to represent a significant motivating force behind adolescent substance use. Yet, while substance use is rewarding and reinforcing for many young people, the reward potential of drugs/alcohol appears to be highly variable across individuals. For instance, some youths do not associate substance use with pleasurable effects and this fact requires explanation. In this paper, the writer proposes an integrated theoretical model that attempts to account for individual variation in the reward potential of drugs and alcohol. It is argued that this model may also help to predict the future behavior of adolescent substance users. Data from a large survey of adolescents are used to conduct an initial test of the proposed model. The implications of the findings for theory and research are discussed.
Street Youth, Relational Strain, and Drug Use
Authors: Gallupe Owen , Baron Stephen W.
Published: March 2012

Using data from 300 street youths interviewed in Toronto, Canada, this study draws on general strain theory to examine the influence of ‘relational’ strains (including background abuse, the severing of positive relationships by leaving home, and victimization at the hands of peers on the street) on the use of soft and hard drugs. Results reveal that the loss of quality street girlfriend/boyfriend relationships and the number of relationships ended by death are associated with soft drug use, while backgrounds of physical abuse and criminal victimization by peers influence hard drug use. Further, the effects of various forms of relational strain on hard drug use are conditioned by low self-esteem, delinquent peers, deviant values, and low self-efficacy. In contrast, the relationship between forms of relational strain and soft drug use are conditioned by greater self-esteem and fewer delinquent peers. The results are discussed in light of general strain theory and suggestions for future research are offered.