bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of using short versus detailed self‐administered questionnaires on the estimate of illicit drug use among young adults
Authors: LERMAN YEHUDA , SLEPON REPHAEL , KARK JEREMY D 
Published: October 2005

AbstractWe compared two study instruments in use in the Israel Defence Forces to ascertain the prevalence of illicit drug use: a short versus a detailed self‐administered anonymous questionnaire. A relatively lower estimate of illicit drug use was found among subjects that answered the short questionnaire. The difference was noted for lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use for women but not for men (6.5% of women reported ever use of illicit drugs using the detailed questionnaire versus 2.1% of women using the short questionnaire, p = 0.002); for prevalence of infrequent illicit drug use (3.3% of men and 3.4% of women reported less than monthly use of illicit drugs using the detailed questionnaire versus 0.2% of men and none of the women with the short questionnaire; p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively), but not for frequent use (i e monthly or more). There was no difference in the percent of subjects that admitted that they knew where to get drugs. We conclude that the short questionnaire in routine use for more than a decade is a useful instrument when compared with the detailed questionnaire, in that the yield of important information such as frequent illicit drug use is similar. This is achieved with the benefit of greater convenience and ease of application to large samples at a lower cost.
Drug replacement treatments: is amphetamine substitution a horse of a different colour?
Authors: MATTICK RICHARD P. , DARKE SHANE 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAdvocates of amphetamine substitution therapy argue that needle sharing by amphetamine users, and associated infectious disease risk, outweigh the risks associated with oral dexamphetamine substitution prescribing, and that substitution can allow stabilization and gradual withdrawal of patients, or maintenance. Others note that amphetamine users are not generally physically dependent, dexamphetamine prescribing can lead to increased drug use and psychosis, and that there are possible neurotoxic effects from prolonged chronic exposure to amphetamines. Research on the impact of amphetamine and cocaine prescribing on drug use, injecting, social adjustment and criminal involvement is lacking apart from a small number of retrospective case reports. Early experience in the United Kingdom leads to the view that amphetamine maintenance was a therapeutic failure. More recently, clinicians have expressed confidence that the approach has merit, and while their claims should not be discounted there remains no empirical basis to support them. Although dexamphetamine substitution therapy has been heralded as an important intervention to reduce injecting behaviour and associated infectious disease risk, there is very little research which attests to its success in reaching this goal. Indeed, what is known regarding patterns of amphetamine use and the effects of prolonged use of the drug raise serious doubts as to the efficacy of amphetamine maintenance. There is an urgent need for randomized or case‐controlled trails of the efficacy of these procedures. Until such empirical comparative research is available, the benefits to be gained from dexamphetamine substitution therapy remain speculative and opinion‐based.
Does alcohol advertising have an impact on the public health?
Authors: CASSWELL SALLY 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis presentation draws on recent New Zealand and international research to examine a number of questions about the possible public health impact of policy which allows alcohol to be advertised on the broadcast media. The relevant public health questions include: the contribution of alcohol advertising to aggregate levels of consumption and alcohol‐related problems; the impact on the drinking and attitudes of the heaviest drinking sector, young males, who tend to be a primary target for the advertising; the impact on those already experiencing problems associated with their drinking and wanting to abstain or cut down; the impact on the young as they move towards becoming drinkers; the impact on the likely efficacy of educational campaigns about drinking; and the impact on the social climate surrounding alcohol and in turn on the support for effective public policies to reduce alcohol‐related harm. Research in this area has increased in both conceptual and methodological sophistication in the past decade and studies using a number of complementary methods are available to assist our understanding of the likely impact of broadcast alcohol advertising. Evidence that advertising is likely to contribute to higher levels of drinking and related problems has strengthened over the past decade, suggesting that public health interests should be considered as one of the relevant voices in the ongoing policy debate around alcohol advertising.
Chewing as a social act: cultural displacement and khat consumption in the East African communities of Melbourne
Authors: STEVENSON MARK , FITZGERALD JOHN , BANWELL CATHY 
Published: October 2005

AbstractIn this paper we present a review of practices surrounding the consumption of khat (Catha edulis) within recent migrant communities in Melbourne from East Africa. Cultures in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsular have used khat as a stimulant since the seventh century and the practice of coming together to chew the leaves of the khat plant has acquired unique cultural importance. Based on focus‐group interviews the research examines transformations taking place in the meaning of khat for East African communities within their experiences of displacement and considers how the arrival of khat might be managed in the Australian context. Emphasis is given to indigenous models and the cultural context of practices surrounding khat. This anthropology of khat use in Melbourne summarizes issues such as who chews it, traditional settings for khat gatherings, culturally defined effects of the leaf, health effects, beliefs and attitudes, levels of use, gendered attitudes and questions of dependence. These issues raise questions regarding the reception of indigenous substance use within a state that claims to be multicultural.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS FROM THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE REDUCTION OF DRUG‐RELATED HARM:Harm reduction and social policy: should addicts be paid?
Authors: REUTER PETER , MacCOUN ROBERT J. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractHarm reduction principles have not been applied to social policy programs that affect drug users. This paper considers whether income supports for the drug‐dependent poor might be harm reducing, given that a principal harm related to drug dependence is crime committed to finance drug use. We examine the political fate of the principal income support program in the United States that targeted the drug dependent. Revelations that the money was being used in part for the purchase of drugs has led to a scaling back and tightening of the program. We suggest that the program might have been more effectively defended if attention had been paid to community harms rather than only to drug consumption by recipients. European and Australian governments provide income support which is no doubt also used for drug consumption, but in the context of universalist income support programs they do not require a harm reduction defense. We conclude that great potential for reducing drug‐related harm may fall well outside the domain of targeted drug policy, whether of the supply reduction, demand reduction or harm reduction variety.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS FROM THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE REDUCTION OF DRUG‐RELATED HARM:What does mathematical modeling tell us about harm reduction?
Authors: CAULKINS JONATHAN P. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis paper argues, primarily by example, that mathematical modeling can contribute to harm reduction‐orientated drug policy making in three ways: by contributing to quantitative evaluations of effectiveness, by improving data and understanding of the underlying drug‐related phenomena, and by encouraging precise thinking about the goals and objectives of harm reduction.
Benzodiazepine use among heroin users in Sydney: patterns of use, availability and procurement
Authors: ROSS JOANNE , DARKE SHANE , HALL WAYNE 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA sample of 210 heroin users who had used benzodiazepines during the preceding 6 months were interviewed about their benzodiazepine use. Forty‐one percent of the sample reported having used benzodiazepines more than once a week during the 6 months preceding interview. Forty‐eight percent had injected benzodiazepines, with 17% having done so during the preceding 6 months. Eleven percent of the sample reported having experienced convulsions when attempting detoxification from benzodiazepines. The majority of subjects (86%) indicated that benzodiazepines are easy or very easy to obtain. Only a third of the sample reported obtaining benzodiazepines exclusively through a doctor in the last 6 months. Over a half of the sample indicated that they had given or sold benzodiazepines to someone during that time. Diazepam was considered by subjects to be the easiest benzodiazepine to procure. Doctors should avoid the prescription of benzodiazepines to injecting drug users, particularly the more readily injectable drug temazepam. Given the widespread use of benzodiazepines by injection, research needs to examine the harm associated with the parenteral use of these drugs.
“Non injectables”: methadone syrup and benzodiazepine injection by methadone‐maintained clients
Authors: SUNJIC SANDRA , HOWARD JOHN 
Published: October 2005

AbstractTo obtain more information about anecdotal reports of injection of methadone syrup and benzodiazepine drugs among injecting drug users, interviews were conducted with 32 subjects as part of a larger study into drug use patterns of clients in methadone maintenance treatment. Subjects were asked about frequency of injection of methadone and benzodiazepines, reasons for injection and methods of preparation for injection. The study found that 78% had injected methadone and 25% had injected benzodiazepines at some time during their drug using careers. Service providers can play an important role in promoting harm minimization strategies, and utilizing behaviour modification techniques.
Anti‐social personality disorder and response to methadone maintenance treatment
Authors: DARKE SHANE , FINLAY‐JONES ROBERT , KAYE SHARLENE , BLATT TEEYA 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA sample of 183 current methadone maintenance patients were interviewed on their drug use history, criminal history, current drug use, and symptoms of Anti‐social Personality Disorder (ASPD). Thirty‐nine percent of patients met the DSM‐III‐R criteria for a diagnosis of ASPD. ASPD patients had an earlier onset of drug use, drug injecting, heroin use, had wider polydrug using histories and had been arrested earlier and more frequently than other patients. Despite the different pretreatment histories of ASPD and other patients, there were no differences between the two groups in retention in treatment, methadone dosage or heroin use. It is concluded that heroin‐dependent ASPD patients can be successfully retained in methadone treatment, on similar methadone doses and with similar in‐treatment drug use patterns as those of non‐ASPD heroin dependent patients.
The New South Wales Driver Assessment Programme: a pilot programme for assessment of drink drivers
Authors: CONIGRAVE KATHERINE M. , CARSELDINE DONALD C. A. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe NSW Driver Assessment Programme operated in Sydney from 1991‐94 as a pilot scheme for the medical assessment of drink driver offenders. In this report we describe its functioning and characterize its 2267 participants. Offenders who had been convicted of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 g/dL or more, or of refusing a breath test were referred to one of five Driver Assessment Clinics in Sydney. Medical assessment was mandatory before the driver's licence could be renewed. Of the 2267 offenders referred to the Programme, 922 (41%) attended an assessment during the operation of the scheme, with non‐attenders having longer disqualification periods than attenders. Among attenders, 691 (75%) were judged fit to drive (i.e. “passed”). There was no significant variation in pass rate between centres. Of the 112 offenders who had laboratory results available from both first and second assessments, 68 (61%) showed a significant reduction in gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels. We conclude that there was evidence of health benefit from the Programme in the fall in GGT levels in 61% repeat attenders. To assess the effects of the scheme on road safety would require prospective data collection on recidivism, road traffic accidents and, if possible, on self‐reported drink‐driving behaviour.
Restrictions on tobacco and alcohol use in Australian work‐places
Authors: RICHMOND ROBYN , HEATHER NICK , HOLT PHOEBE 
Published: October 2005

AbstractIn a telephone survey of 455 of the top 600 companies in Australia, around three‐quarters reported the existence of restrictions on both smoking and alcohol in the workplace. Forty‐six percent of companies had a total ban on smoking at work, 31% had designated limited areas where employees were permitted to smoke, and 23% had no policy on smoking. Seventy‐seven percent of companies encouraged a total alcohol‐free work environment. The larger the company, the more likely it was to have restrictions on smoking in the work‐place, but there was no relationship between the size of the company and alcohol restrictions. Government organizations were more likely to have restrictions on smoking than nongovernment organizations, but this difference was not apparent for alcohol restrictions. The major reasons given for smoking restrictions were related to health and comfort, while those for alcohol were related to work productivity and safety.
Heroin prescribing in the “British System” of the mid 1990s: data from the 1995 national survey of community pharmacies in England and Wales
Authors: STRANG JOHN , SHERIDAN JANIE 
Published: October 2005

AbstractPrescribing heroin in the treatment of addiction has been, until recently, an exclusively UK practice. However, despite international fascination with such prescribing, no recent report exists on the extent or nature of the practice. Furthermore, no data have ever previously been available on dispensing arrangements and geographical localization of heroin‐prescribing to addicts. Data are presented on heroin prescriptions being dispensed to addicts in 1995, collected through the national survey of a 1 in 4 sample of the 10 616 community pharmacies in England and Wales. The 64 heroin prescriptions constituted only 1.7% of the 3846 prescriptions for opiates being issued to addicts by regarding community pharmacists, while methadone accounted for 96.0%. Heroin daily doses were more than three times higher than for methadone. Heroin was mainly prescribed in injectable form and, in contrast to methadone prescriptions, was mainly dispensed on a daily basis. Major regional variations in the extent of heroin‐prescribing in the United Kingdom have been identified, with these variations appearing to relate to the practice of individual doctors rather than the nature of the local problem.
A meta‐analysis of the effectiveness of acupuncture in smoking cessation
Authors: ASHENDEN RUTH , SILAGY CHRISTOPHER A. , LODGE MARK , FOWLER GODFREY 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe role of acupuncture in facilitating smoking cessation is controversial. A systematic review was undertaken, incorporating meta‐analytic techniques, of all the available randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of acupuncture in smoking cessation. Based on the data from nine trials involving 2707 patients, the odds ratio of abstinence at 6–12 months' follow‐up is 1.48 (95% confidence interval 1.13‐1.94) with acupuncture compared to no acupuncture or sham acupuncture. The odds of quitting were higher in comparisons between acupuncture and no acupuncture (OR 2.41, CI: 1.52 to 3.83) than between acupuncture and sham acupuncture (OR 1.16, CI: 0.90 to 1.49). Many of the included trials were small and had methodological shortcomings. Therefore, while acupuncture appears promising, there is insufficient evidence at this point, without further research, to recommend it as an effective form of therapy.
Risky drug practices and treatment needs of youth detained in New South Wales Juvenile Justice Centres
Authors: HANDO JULIE , HOWARD JOHN , ZIBERT ERNIE 
Published: October 2005

AbstractDemographic, drug use and criminal correlates of risky drug practices were examined among 279 detained youth in NSW Juvenile Justice Centres. Binge drinking was common, with 63% reporting the consumption of at least five drinks in a row in the 2 weeks prior to incarceration. It was associated with being older, being from an English‐speaking background, regular tobacco consumption and having a current drug problem. A quarter (24%) of the sample had injected an illicit drug, over one‐third (37%) of whom also reported sharing needles. Injectors were more likely to be polydrug users, regular amphetamine users and have a past history of drug treatment. While 16% of the sample indicated a need for drug treatment, only 10% were currently receiving some form of treatment, most commonly counselling. Appropriate strategies are needed among this population to address gaps in treatment provision.
Approaches to preventing alcohol‐related problems: the experience of New Zealand and Australia
Authors: STEWART LIZ 
Published: October 2005

AbstractNew Zealand and Australia have experienced similarities in their drinking cultures and patterns since colonization. This paper briefly reviews those experiences and looks at the approaches both countries have taken in dealing with alcohol‐related problems. Over 10 years ago Australia developed a national strategy embracing a harm reduction approach and more recently New Zealand embarked upon a similar process. As well as examining the development of these, other initiatives are examined. These include approaches to licensing of alcohol sales, taxation, alcohol promotion, control of drinking on licensed premises, drinking and driving intervention, community action, initiatives by Maori and Aboriginal people and efforts to educate the individual drinker.
The pattern of intravenous drug use and associated criminal activity in patients on a methadone treatment waiting list
Authors: ADAMSON SIMON J. , SELLMAN J. DOUGLAS 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSixty‐four patients on the Christchurch Methadone Treatment Programme waiting list were questioned on their drug‐use behaviour, criminal activity and sources of income, both legal and illegal, for the preceding 7 days. Opioids used included morphine sulphate tablets, methadone and opium poppies, while other drugs used included tranquillizers, cannabis and alcohol. A significant minority were prescribed opioids. The mean cost of drugs used in 7 days across all subjects was $882. The mean financial gain from criminal sources for the same period was $1079 and was derived from drug‐related crime, property crime and prostitution. Few gender differences were found relating to criminal activity or drug use. The majority of the sample were on unemployment benefits of varying types while a minority were in paid employment. Those in paid employment did not earn significantly less from criminal activity, nor did they spend significantly less on drug use than did those not in paid employment. An important implication of these findings is that untreated opioid users are a substantial financial burden to the community, strongly supporting the argument for greater treatment provision.
The influence of individual and organizational factors on the reported smoking intervention practices of staff in 20 antenatal clinics
Authors: COOKE MARGARET , MATTICK RICHARD P. , CAMPBELL ELIZABETH 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis study investigates the factors which influence the reported use of a smoking cessation interventions in antenatal clinics. Midwives and doctors in 20 hospital antenatal clinics (n = 203) completed a survey designed to measure their perceptions, knowledge and use of brief interventions for smoking. Measures for hospital structure and work climate were also obtained. The aims of the study are: to describe the smoking intervention practice of antenatal clinic staff and to ascertain the organizational and practitioner variables which predict clinician use of smoking interventions. The results indicate that the majority of antenatal clinic staff do not use the most effective forms of brief interventions for smoking. The presence of specific procedures and training in smoking cessation intervention appear to be the most important predictors of reported smoking intervention in hospital antenatal clinics.
Cue reactivity in dependent amphetamine users: can monistic conditioning theories advance our understanding of reactivity?
Authors: TOPP LIBBY , LOVIBOND PETER F. , MATTICK RICHARD P. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractForty‐eight dependent injecting amphetamine users (AUs) and 48 controls were exposed to an amphetamine‐related video and three affective control videos, and their amphetamine‐related responses (amphetamine symptoms, withdrawal symptoms, and for AUs, “positive” and “negative” craving, based on the desire for positive and negative reinforcement, respectively) were recorded after each one. Both groups responded to the amphetamine video with increased withdrawal symptoms relative to control videos, suggesting that drug‐related cues have significant unconditioned aversive properties. Between‐group differences in amphetamine symptoms were evident only after the amphetamine video, supporting a conditioned drug agonistic model of cue reactivity. Among AUs, both positive and negative craving increased significantly after the amphetamine video, providing prima facie evidence for both conditioned withdrawal and conditioned drug agonistic accounts of cue reactivity. However, the lack of consistent and strong correlations between the two types of craving and the affective states hypothesized to induce such craving cannot be accommodated by the dominant models of the role of conditioning in maintaining addictive behaviours. This suggests a need to build upon theories of cue reactivity which predict conditioned responses to be either drug‐like or drug‐opposite.
Relations among alcohol consumption measures derived from the Cognitive Lifetime Drinking History
Authors: RUSSELL MARCIA , PEIRCE ROBERT S. , VANA JOYCE E. , NOCHAJSKI THOMAS H. , CAROSELLA ANN MARIE , MUTI PAOLA , FREUDENHEIM JO , TREVISAN MAURIZIO 
Published: October 2005

AbstractFew studies have been conducted of chronic alcohol effects on health and social outcomes. To evaluate the utility and feasibility of such studies, correlations between lifetime and current measures of total alcohol consumption (ounces) and times intoxicated were examined to determine whether these dimensions of drinking are distinct. Studies were conducted in 2142 respondents ages 35 to 70 selected from lists of licensed drivers and individuals eligible for Medicare. Lifetime measures of alcohol consumption and times intoxicated were derived from the Cognitive Lifetime Drinking History (CLDH). Depending on age and sex of the subgroups examined, current consumption accounted for only about 10–25% of the variability in lifetime alcohol consumption; current and lifetime times intoxicated were even less highly correlated. Lifetime and current measures of alcohol consumption accounted for approximately 40–50% of the variability in corresponding lifetime and current measures of times intoxicated in younger cohorts, but this fell to 25% and less in older cohorts. These findings support the use of lifetime measures of alcohol consumption and times intoxicated based on the CLDH together with current measures to investigate chronic and acute alcohol effects on health and social outcomes.