bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Random breath testing in Australia: getting it to work according to specifications
Authors: HOMEL ROSS 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAfter reading the deterrence literature, particularly the work of H. Laurence Ross, I concluded in the late 1970's that many road accidents could be prevented through the whokhearted implementation of random breath testing (RBT). RBT is a system of drink‐drive law enforcement which aims to increase the perceived likelihood of apprehension through the use of mass breath testing techniques at roadblocks which are highly visible, are unpredictable in their locations and give the impression of ubiquity. As the result of public pressure, RBT was introduced in NSW in December 1982, with spectacular results. The law was intensively enforced and extensively advertised, partly due to the advocacy of researchers such as myself, but also because there was an acute political need for instant results. Since RBT is a difficult enforcement technique for police to sustain in effective form, researchers must strive to improve their understanding of what works, and remain in close contact with police, policy makers and politicians. Although this process is costly in terms of time and, possibly, academic ‘pay‐off’, it is essential if the fragile understanding of deterrence principles amongst these groups is not to lead to superficially attractive, but probably ineffective techniques such as low visibility mobile RBT.
Research affects public policy: the case of the legal drinking age in the United States
Authors: WAGENAAR ALEXANDER C. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAfter receiving little attention from 1940 to 1970, minimum‐age laws were a focus of debate and policy change in the United States from 1970 to 1985. In the 1970s, 29 states lowered the legal age, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s, all states with an age below 21 raised the legal age to 21 for all types of alcoholic beverages. Research on the effects of such policy changes were a central component in the political debates on minimum‐age laws. The process by which research results influenced public policy deliberations is discussed. Characteristics that facilitated research results being taken into account in the policy debates included: (1) research of high interval validity that withstood challenge, (2) dissemination of the research results beyond networks of scientists, and (3) participation of bridging individuals who learned of the research results, and condensed and communicated key findings to policy‐makers.
The interaction between research and policy—alcohol and general practice in the United Kingdom
Authors: ANDERSON PETER 
Published: January 2006

AbstractResearch evidence is considered for the effectiveness of screening for alcohol consumption in general practice and for the effectiveness of brief interventions in general practice. Evidence is then considered for the effectiveness of dissemination of brief interventions throughout general practice. The example of dissemination of smoking interventions is used as similar data is not yet available for alcohol. The structure of the UK contract for general practice is discussed and its relationship to research findings considered. Finally, future directions for both research and policy are highlighted.
Behavioural correlates of alcohol intoxication
Authors: NARANJO C. A. , BREMNER K. E. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAlcohol is used in most cultures despite knowledge of the physical, psychological and social problems associated with its abuse. Behavioural impairment is a function of several factors, including blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the rate of alcohol metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase and the microsomal ethanol‐oxidizing system. Their availability and activity depend upon alcohol use history, ethnicity, other drug use and gender. Adverse social consequences related to alcohol intoxication include impaired driving, acts of aggression and violence towards self and others, and various types of accidents. About 40% of all fatal traffic accidents in Canada and the US in 1986‐1987 were alcohol‐related. Similar statistics have been reported in the UK and Europe (e.g. Sweden). The risk of a fatal car accident increases exponentially with a driver's BAC, prompting recommendations to lower the legal BAC limit for driving and piloting aircraft. Risks of falls, drownings, and fires and bums may also be increased by alcohol intoxication. At least 22% of work‐related accidents may have involved alcohol use. These data are probably conservative estimates as under‐reporting of alcohol use is likely. Alcohol facilitates aggressive behaviours, but it is difficult to separate the pharmacological effect from psychosocial effects or some other common factor (e.g. low CSF levels of the serotonin metabolite 5‐H1AA have been reported in alcoholics, suicide attempters, violent offenders). In addition, alcohol interacts with other drugs to increase or decrease their behavioural and therapeutic effects. An acutely high BAC inhibits the metabolism of other CNS depressants (e.g. benzodiazepines), but long‐term alcohol use increases the metabolism of most drugs. A potential amethystic agent, to block or reverse alcohol's effects, has been identified in preclinical studies (Ro15‐4513, an imidazobenzodiazepine). Some clinical studies indicated that naloxone, lithium, ibuprofen, zimeldine and catecholamine agonists may reduce ethanol‐induced behavioural or cognitive effects but the results have not been consistently replicated. More research is needed to determine the potential clinical use of amethystic agents and other pharmacotherapies in the prevention and treatment of problem behaviours associated with alcohol abuse and intoxication.
Effects on mortality of alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, and close personal relationships
Authors: REHM JURGEN , FICHTER MANFRED M. , ELTON MARTIN 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe study analyses the risks of mortality associated with alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as possible counteracting effects of physical activity and social support through close personal relationships. Data are based on the Upper Bavarian Study, a longitudinal epidemiological study of a representative community sample (n = 1668) in a rural area. Extensive semistructural psychiatric interviews by research physicians were conducted between 1975 and 1977 (n = 1536). Thirteen years after psychiatric assessment, information was obtained from the community register concerning death in the interval, date of death and cause of death according to ICD 9. Tins information could be ascertained for 93.1% (n= 1430) of those who had been interviewed, thus providing a good basis for generalizing the findings. Results indicate that alcohol intake and cigarette smoking increased mortality while physical activity and the availability of a steady partner had protective effects. There were no interactive effects between the four variables studied, except far a dramatically increased risk for women drinking more than 20 ml of pure alcohol a day and reporting no physical exercise at wave one assessment. The relative risks of alcohol intake and smoking, and the counteracting effects of physical activity and partnership, are exemplified in the cases of a 40‐year‐old female and a 40‐year‐old male. Specific analyses of the relationship between alcohol consumption, smoking, physical exercise and personal relationships, on the one hand, and, on the other, different causes of death, are presented.
Attitude of the Norwegian population to drug policy and drug‐offences
Authors: SKRETTING ASTRID 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA national survey on people's conceptions of various intoxicants and their attitudes towards such substances shows a high degree of support in Norway for the current very restrictive drug policy. Only 6% were in favour of a more liberal practice with regard to use of cannabis. The attitudes had changed little from 1968, when a similar study was carried out. Even a majority of those who reported having used cannabis themselves said that all use should be prohibited. A comparison of the crime of possessing quite a small quantity of cannabis with other commonplace violations of the law showed that the drug offence was considered a serious crime. Although the penalties for drug offences have been raised dramatically several times since the end of the 1960s, a majority still said that the punishment prescribed by the Norwegian law for being involved with drugs is too mild.
Patterns of alcohol consumption: beverage effects on gender differences
Authors: DAWSON DEBORAH A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis Data Note reports findings from 22 102 current drinkers who responded in the US National Interview Survey in 1988. Mean estimated alcohol intake of males exceeded that of females by a factor of two. Males drank more per occasion (ratio 1.45) and drank on more occasions (1.41). Mean ethanol content per drink was slightly less for males (ratio 0.95) attributable to a decreased proportion of drinks being wine and liquor. When beverage preferences were taken into account, the drinking patterns of males and females showed no meaningful differences among persons with similar levels of overall ethanol intake. The results do not support the view that the difference between ethanol consumption of males and females are due primarily to males drinking more per occasion. Apparent differences in drinking patterns are attributable to differences in preferred beverage.
Alcohol dependence—an illness with a treatment?
Authors: CHICK JONATHAN 
Published: January 2006

AbstractUnlike some countries, Britain may have experienced a rise rather than a fall in alcohol‐related illness during a decade when consumption has not risen. Objections to the “illness concept” may impede our vision and the range of services we develop. It is possible to agree with objectors to the illness concept that a unidimensional view is unhelpful; that explanations are often only attributions; that the construct “illness” is not needed for help to be offered, its use could undermine self‐mastery, and its misuse can breach civil fights. Learning can explain much over‐drinking. However, the concept need not imply bimodality of drinkers; the syndrome of alcohol dependence has uses and does not imply a cause; physical and mental explanations are not incompatible; genetic and biochemical research has promise. Developments in treatment are still limited, but the mysteries of the free‐will dilemma should not prevent us seeing physiological, psychological and social contributants of partners rather than rivals.
Continued risk behaviour among HIV positive drug injectors in London: implications for intervention
Authors: RHODES TIM J. , DONOGHOE MARTIN C. , HUNTER GILLIAN M. , STIMSON GERRY V. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractFindings are reported on the risk behaviour of 104 confirmed HIV‐1 antibody positive drug injectors in London. Findings indicate that 41.3% of respondents had never received treatment or help for their drug use, and that 52.0% had never received a named test for HIV antibodies. The majority of confirmed HIV positive respondents (70.1%) were unaware of their HIV positive status. Respondents unaware of their HIV positive status were less likely to use condoms with primary sexual partners than respondents aware of their HIV status, and were marginally (though not significantly) more likely to report borrowing and lending used injecting equipment. Overall levels of risk‐taking were similar to those reported in UK studies of injecting drug use as a whole. The paper concludes by emphasising the high potential for HIV transmission among the equipment sharing and sexual partners of HIV positive drug injectors and by stressing the importance of low‐threshold HIV testing, education and treatment interventions in the community. If significant proportions of HIV positive drug injectors remain unaware of their antibody status, and if they also continue to engage in behaviours of risk to others, the spread of HIV among drug injectors and their partners may escape current efforts of prevention and prevalence control.
A preliminary survey of Italian intravenous heroin users in London
Authors: LIPSSEDGE MAURICE , DIANIN GIANNI , DUCKWORTH EBLISH 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe present study analyses the phenomenon of the migration to London of Italian intravenous drug users. Using structured questionnaires and prevalence data it was estimated that a significant number of Italian intravenous drug users (at least 1000) were living in London at the time of the study (1990), of whom 30% were HIV positive. Risk‐taking behaviour was disturbingly high. The reasons for migrating were identified, and the implications of recent Italian legislation are briefly discussed. The data indicated that the living conditions of these immigrants in London were precarious and that these vulnerable individuals had little access to services. As the barriers to travel within the European Community disappear, the public health problems represented by the migration of problem‐drug users are likely to become more acute.
Characteristics of men with alcoholic hallucinosis
Authors: TSUANG JOHN W. , IRWIN MICHAEL R. , SMITH TOM L. , SCHUCKIT MARC A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe goal of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of primary alcoholics with alcoholic hallucinosis. Six hundred and forty‐three primary alcoholic men were recruited from a 28‐day Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program at the San Diego VA Medical Center. Subjects only experiencing perceptual abnormalities during alcohol withdrawal, drug‐related hallucinosis, as well as those having abnormal sensations that did not meet criteria for hallucinations were excluded from the present study. The remaining 532 subjects were divided into Group 1 {n =48}, which consisted of subjects with a DSM‐HIR and ICD‐10 diagnosis of alcoholic hallucinosis, and Group 2 (n –484) which consisted of those without any history of hallucinations. A comparison of the two groups revealed that Group 1 men were younger at the onset of alcohol problems, consumed more alcohol per occasion, developed more alcohol‐related life problems, and had higher rates of drug experimentation as well as more different types of drugs used. This study suggests that primary alcoholics who consume more drugs and/or alcohol might be at an increased risk for developing alcoholic hallucinosis.
The measurement of alcohol dependence and impaired control in community samples
Authors: STOCKWELL TIM , SITHARTHAN THIAGARAJAN , McGRATH DAVID , LANG ERNIE 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe concept of the Alcohol Dependence Syndrome has been influential in the field of alcohol studies in the 1980s. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) is one of a generation of alcohol problem scales developed to measure degree of dependence rather than presence or absence of‘alcoholism’. This paper describes the development of a form of the SADQ for community samples of drinkers (SADQ‐C) and its relationship to a brief scale designed to measure impaired control over drinking. In a sample of 52 problem drinkers, SADQ and SADQ‐C correlated almost perfectly (r = 0.98). In a larger sample of 197 attenders at a controlled drinking clinic, Principal Components Analysis revealed one major factor accounting for 71.7% of the total variance. High internal reliability was indicated with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.98. Application of this instrument in a random survey of Western Australian households is then described. It was necessary to remove items relating to‘reinstatement of dependence’for this sample. A single major factor was identified by principal components analysis, accounting for 69.1% of the total variance. In both the clinic and the community samples SADQ‐C scores correlated highly with Impairment of Control scores. The findings are interpreted as supporting the view that there is a single dimension of alcohol dependence upon which all persons who drink alcohol with any regularity may be located.
Longitudinal changes in injection behaviors in a cohort of injection drug users
Authors: SAXON ANDREW J. , CALSYN DONALD A. , JACKSON T. RONALD 
Published: January 2006

AbstractTo determine haw the injecting behaviors of injection drug users (IDUs) change over time in the context of the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and what factors may be associated with such changes, a cohort of IDUs (n = 313) initially in treatment provided structured interviews regarding drug injecting behaviors. Repeat interviews in 18 months assessed behavior change in subjects who could be contacted for follow‐up (n = 220, 70.3%). The study occurred in a state where sterile syringes can be purchased without prescription in drug stores. Injection drug use occurred for 180 (81.8%) of the 220 subjects in the 12 months prior to the initial interview but in only 121 (55.0%) in the 10 months prior to the follow‐up interview (p < 0.0001). Similarly, sharing of equipment decreased from 63.1% to 31.8% (p < 0.0001). Sharing with multiple partners declined from 41.9% to 10.6% (P < 0.0001). Factors associated with ongoing risk included use of injected and non‐injected psychoactive substances, less time in drug dependence treatment during follow‐up interval, having a sexual partner who was an IDU and not using a drug store as the primary source of syringes. Factors associated with multiple‐partner sharing included use of psychoactive substances, younger age and nonwhite race.
Retention in methadone maintenance and heroin addicts’risk of death
Authors: CAPLEHORN JOHN R. M. , DALTON M. STELLA Y. N. , CLUFF MARGARET C. , PETRENAS ANN‐MARIE 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA long‐term follow‐up was made of a cohort of 307 heroin addicts admitted into a high‐dose, Australian methadone maintenance programme in the early 1970s. Using data from clinic records, official death records and methadone treatment histories, it was found that subjects were nearly three times as likely to die outside of methadone maintenance as in it (95% CI RR 1.45 to 5.61). Data were further analyzed using Cox regression to investigate the association of maximum daily methadone dose and a change in clinic policy with retention in maintenance treatment. It is estimated that subjects given a maximum daily dose of 80 mg were nearly twice as likely to be discharged during the first three years of maintenance as those given 120 mg (95% CI RR 1.3 to 2.2). The estimated median time in maintenance for subjects given a maximum dose of 120 mg mas 1150 days while for 80 mg it was 660 days. It is further estimated that the change in clime policy from abstinence to indefinite maintenance reduced to one‐third subjects’risk of leaving after three years’of treatment (95% CI RR 0.19 to 0.54). It is concluded that, in order to minimise heroin addicts’risk of death, they should be offered indefinite, high‐dose methadone maintenance.
Naloxone‐induced withdrawal in patients with buprenorphine dependence
Authors: NIGAM ANIL K. , SRIVASTAVA R. P. , SAXENA SHEKHAR , CHAVAN B. S. , SUNDARAM K. R. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractNaloxone‐induced withdrawal was studied in seven patients currently dependent only on injecting buprenorphine, within 3 to 6 hours of their last dose. Withdrawal severity began to rise from 5 minutes and reached a peak at 60 minutes after 1.2 mg naloxone given intravenously. The mean withdrawal severity score was significantly higher at 30, 60 and 90 minutes compared to the baseline. The most frequent withdrawal signs and symptoms were mydriasis, systolic hypertension, tachypnoea, muscle pains, yawning, anxiety, restlessness and craving.
Consumption indicators of alcohol dependence
Authors: DAWSON DEBORAH A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis Data Note evaluates various dichotomous measures of alcohol consumption as screeners for past‐year alcohol dependence. The analysis is based on data from 22 102 current drinkers interviewed in the 1988 US National Health Interview Survey. The consumption indicators include measures of average daily intake, frequency of heavy drinking, usual quantity and frequency of drinking and various combinations of these measures. The measures based on frequency of heavy drinking are the most strongly correlated with dependence, but none of the consumption indicators have the sensitivity or specificity of screeners based on alcohol‐related problems. Most of the consumption items considered in this analysis screen for dependence more successfully among men than among women.
Risk factors for HIV–1 seroprevalence among drug injectors in the cocaine–using environment of Rio de Janeiro
Authors: LIMA ELSON S. , FRIEDMAN SAMUEL R. , BASTOS FRANCISCO I. , TELLES PAULO R. , FRIEDMANN PATRICIA , WARD THOMAS P. , JARLAIS DON C. DES 
Published: January 2006

AbstractTo determine risk factors for HIV–1 among drug injectors in Rio de Janeiro, where cocaine is the dominant drug of injection, subjects were recruited using the criteria and interview instrument of the World Health Organization's Cross–National Study of HIV infection and risk behaviour in injecting drug users. HIV antibody test results were derived both from serum tests and from self–reports of previous tests (documented evidence of self–reported seropositivity was required). The analytical sample consists of 123 subjects, recruited both at drug abuse treatment sites and at street locations. Of 27 subjects with both serological and self–reported antibody status data, 20 reported previous negative tests; of these three had positive sera and may have seroconverted. Seven subjects reporting prior positive serostatus all tested positive. For the 123 subjects, seroprevalence was 34%. Independent significant risk factors in multivariate logistic regression with backwards elimination are: years of injection greater than 5; being a male who has had sex with men in the previous 5 years; and not having taken deliberate steps to protect oneself against AIDS. These findings indicate that homosexual/bisexual male drug injectors may be a bridge group through which HIV is entering drug–injecting networks in Rio de Janeiro. Efforts by drug injectors to reduce their risk of infection seem to have protective effects. This underscores the importance of HIV prevention efforts aimed at drug injectors.
Exposure to hepatitis B and C and to HTLV‐1 and 2 among Israeli drug abusers in Jerusalem
Authors: MAAYAN S. , SHUFMAN E. N. , ENGELHARD D. , SHOUVAL D. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe incidence of exposure to hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses and to that of HTLV 1 and 2 were investigated in a group of 181 illicit drug users attending a drug rehabilitation centre in Jerusalem. In this predominantly male group, 28% were intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) and 72% non‐IVDAs; 92% of the individuals were of Middle Eastern descent (of which 40% were of a Moroccan descent). Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) were found in 54% of the IVDAs compared with 4.5% in the non‐IVDAs (p < 0.001), indicating the presence of a significant reservoir of HCV among this IVDA group. Evidence for previous hepatitis B (HBV) infection was found in 26% of the IVDAs and 33% of the non‐IVDAs (p = NS) with no HbSAg positivity. The similar prevalence of previous HBV infection in both drug abuser groups, which was also observed when the groups were analysed according to their ethnic origin, suggests that a vertical transmission of HBV rather than an exclusive association with intravenous drug abuse may have been the source of exposure to HBV. HTLV‐1 rates were 2% among IVDAs and 0% among non‐IVDAs (p = NS). No serologic evidence for HTLV‐2 was detected in this cohort. The present study supports previous observations in other countries and indicates the exceptionally high prevalence of HCV infection among Israeli i.v. drug abusers. It also suggests that using HBV seropositivity as an indicator for needle exchange among drug abusers may be of limited value in geographic areas where vertical transmission of HBV is common. HCV antibodies might become more suitable markers for this purpose.