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González-Santiago AE, Gómez-Cabrera AS, Baptista-Rosas RC, Zúñiga-González GM, Gómez-Meda BC, Navarro AAS, Sánchez-Parada MG. Cytogenotoxicity effects in addicts with multidrug consumption. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2024; 65:84-95. [PMID: 38353119 DOI: 10.1002/em.22584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Drug abuse is considered a global health problem with serious social impact. In recent decades, changes in drug consumption patterns have shown a clear rising trend in the use of multiple drugs. Although the buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay has evaluated cytotoxicity in drug abuse, there has not been an approach that takes into account this pattern of multiple drug use. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate for the first time the cytogenotoxic effects in multidrug users, and its correlation with the amount consumed and years of abuse. This study was conducted on 166 individuals by the BMCyt assay. A total of 83 individuals with a history of multiple licit (alcohol and tobacco) and at least one illicit drug abuse (marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, and/or inhalants), and 83 healthy individuals, non-drug abusers were analyzed. The results showed that drug abusers had higher frequencies of nuclear abnormalities nuclear buds, binucleated cells, pyknotic nuclei (PNs), karyorrhexis (KX), and abnormally condensed chromatin when compared with healthy controls. Moreover, results suggests that the use of licit and illicit drugs is related to cytogenotoxic damage, as was shown by an upward trend in the frequency of nuclear abnormalities identified in groups 1 (alcohol + tobacco + at least one illicit drug) and 2 (tobacco + at least one illicit drug). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found in the different groups, between the years and the amount of consumption of some drugs (alcohol, methamphetamine, and tobacco) with cytotoxicity markers such as KL, KX, and PNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Elizabeth González-Santiago
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Salvador Gómez-Cabrera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Raúl Cuauhtémoc Baptista-Rosas
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud-Enfermedad como Proceso Individual, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico
- Unidad de intervención de Medicina Crítica, Hospital General de Occidente, Secretaría de Salud Jalisco, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Moisés Zúñiga-González
- Laboratorio de Mutagénesis, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Belinda Claudia Gómez-Meda
- Instituto de Genética Humana Dr. Enrique Corona Rivera, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Ana Alondra Sobrevilla Navarro
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - María Guadalupe Sánchez-Parada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico
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Stephenson L, Van Den Heuvel C, Byard RW. Socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants of substance misuse - a national perspective. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12024-023-00702-6. [PMID: 37682517 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00702-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Accurate estimates of population drug use and an understanding of the factors that influence substance choice are essential for the development of appropriate and targeted prevention strategies and campaigns. This review aims to provide an overview of the socioeconomic and psychosocial factors that influence substance use patterns within the Australian population through exploration of current and historical examples of substance misuse. Australia's comparatively large online drug market is reflective of the country's relative geographic isolation and high local drug prices. Legislation, particularly relating to cannabis cultivation and personal use, has evolved significantly in response to increased scientific and commercial applications and changing attitudes towards medical and personal use. Methylamphetamine use is disproportionately high, attributed to Australia's geographic location, high rates of local manufacture, steady cost, and increased purity. Despite the increased cost of cocaine over time, the profile of users appears to dictate rates of use. The prevalence of injecting drug use is driven by a lack of education, perceived risk, stigma, and other social factors. Additionally, psychosocial factors also contribute to substance misuse among specific population subgroups such as petrol sniffing among Indigenous Australians. Understanding the reasons for geographical variability in illicit drug use assists in the interpretation of substance-associated behavior in specific groups/populations and in guiding future intervention efforts and predictions of emerging trends. In addition, an understanding of factors influencing local drug usage may assist forensic practitioners in evaluating the occurrence and effects of particular substances that may emerge as significant factors in drug-related deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilli Stephenson
- School of Biomedicine, Level 2 Helen Mayo North, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, 5005, SA, Australia.
| | - Corinna Van Den Heuvel
- School of Biomedicine, Level 2 Helen Mayo North, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, 5005, SA, Australia
| | - Roger W Byard
- School of Biomedicine, Level 2 Helen Mayo North, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, 5005, SA, Australia
- Forensic Science SA (FSSA), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
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A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Cannabinoid Agonist Replacement Therapy for Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms. CNS Drugs 2018; 32:1113-1129. [PMID: 30361897 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-018-0577-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About 30% of regular cannabis users report withdrawal symptoms on cessation of prolonged use, such as irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite, depressed mood, anxiety, and restlessness. However, among highly dependent and/or in-treatment users, the incidence of withdrawal can be even higher, reaching up to 50-95% of individuals. This syndrome was only recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) as a diagnosis with specific criteria in 2013. The treatment options are poor, with high rates of relapse and non-responders. In this scenario, agonist replacement therapy with cannabinoids has demonstrated potential as a promising therapeutic intervention, with a series of studies having been carried out in recent years. OBJECTIVE This review sought to summarize trials with cannabinoid agonist replacement therapy for cannabis withdrawal symptoms with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of this pharmacological intervention. DATA SOURCES We entered the following search terms on the PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases: (marijuana OR marihuana OR cannabis OR THC OR tetrahydrocannabinol OR hashish OR pot) AND (treatment OR medication) AND (withdrawal OR abstinence) AND (dronabinol OR nabilone OR nabiximols OR sativex OR cesamet OR synthetic cannabinoid). The date of the most recent search was September 2017. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS Original trials, published in English, performed on humans and dealing with cannabis users who were treated for cannabis withdrawal symptoms using synthetic cannabinoids were all included in the present systematic review. Quality and risk of bias across studies were assessed using a Cochrane tool. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS The first, second, and last authors read the abstracts of all studies found in the search (n = 243). The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and 233 articles were excluded. The first and second authors independently developed a data extraction sheet based on the included articles. RESULTS The present review included ten original articles. Despite the limited number of studies and methodological differences, our findings demonstrate that the use of dronabinol, nabilone, or nabiximols, either alone or in combination with other drugs, shows promise in reducing cannabis withdrawal symptoms, probably with a dose-dependent effect. This has also been considered a safe group of medications with good tolerability and few adverse effects. LIMITATIONS No method of handling data and combining results of studies was carried out, representing a limitation of the review. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATION OF THE KEY FINDINGS Cannabinoids appear to be a promising group of drugs for the treatment of cannabis withdrawal symptoms. These medications may help decrease the rate of relapse in the treatment of cannabis dependence due to withdrawal symptoms occurring within the first few weeks of treatment. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION The protocol for this review has been registered in the PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014014118).
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Grucza RA, Vuolo M, Krauss MJ, Plunk AD, Agrawal A, Chaloupka FJ, Bierut LJ. Cannabis decriminalization: A study of recent policy change in five U.S. states. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 59:67-75. [PMID: 30029073 PMCID: PMC6380362 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of public health professional organizations support the decriminalization of cannabis due to adverse effects of cannabis-related arrests and legal consequences, particularly on youth. We sought to examine the associations between cannabis decriminalization and both arrests and youth cannabis use in five states that passed decriminalization measures between the years 2008 and 2014: Massachusetts (decriminalized in 2008), Connecticut (2011), Rhode Island (2013), Vermont (2013), and Maryland (2014). METHODS Data on cannabis possession arrests were obtained from federal crime statistics; data on cannabis use were obtained from state Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) surveys, years 2007-2015. Using a "difference in difference" regression framework, we contrasted trends in decriminalization states with those from states that did not adopt major policy changes during the observation period. RESULTS Decriminalization was associated with a 75% reduction in the rate of drug-related arrests for youth (95% CI: 44%, 89%) with similar effects observed for adult arrests. Decriminalization was not associated with any increase in the past-30 day prevalence of cannabis use overall (relative change=-0.2%; 95% CI: -4.5%, 4.3%) or in any of the individual decriminalization states. CONCLUSIONS Decriminalization of cannabis in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maryland resulted in large decreases in cannabis possession arrests for both youth and adults, suggesting that the policy change had its intended consequence. Our analysis did not find any increase in the prevalence of youth cannabis use during the observation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Grucza
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Mike Vuolo
- Department of Sociology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Melissa J Krauss
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew D Plunk
- Department of Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Arpana Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Frank J Chaloupka
- Division of Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Laura J Bierut
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Drug law reform, performativity and the politics of childhood. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 51:56-66. [PMID: 29202316 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Children are critical to debates about drug law reform. For both advocates of liberalisation and, especially, defenders of prohibition, the protection of children is an important rhetorical device in pressing for, or resisting, change. However, the privileged position of minors within such discussions, or talk about drugs in general, has rarely been explored in any depth in either drug and alcohol studies or legal research. Drawing on scholarship on performativity, and particularly John Law's work on 'collateral realities', this article will consider how constructs such as childhood and drugs are 'produced' and '(re)made' in such discourses. Through analysis of legal measures, policy documents/statements submitted to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) in 2016, and scientific discussion, it will be argued that such 'realities' include the constitution of the child as the logical victim of drugs (and the natural beneficiary or casualty of reform), and the enactment of drugs as an inherent threat to children. It is suggested that drug policy research needs to pay attention to age as a social construct and cultural category, and that a critical awareness of the relevance of age in policy discourse is as necessary as, for example, race, class or gender. Moreover, attendance to the ontological politics of constructs such as 'childhood' and 'drugs' is important if law and policy measures are to account for young people's agency.
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Castaldelli-Maia JM, Nicastri S, Cerdá M, Kim JH, de Oliveira LG, de Andrade AG, Martins SS. In-transition culture of experimentation with cannabis in Latin American college students: A new role within a potential drug use sequencing pattern. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017; 37:273-281. [PMID: 28485092 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Given a scenario of intense discussion about the legal situation of cannabis users worldwide, this paper aims to investigate the role of cannabis within a drug use sequencing pattern. DESIGN AND METHODS Data came from a representative sample of college students from 27 Brazilian capitals (n = 12 711). We analysed the patterns of transition from/to the first use of cannabis to/from the first use of alcohol, tobacco and seven other illegal drugs. Survival analysis methods were used to analyse age of onset data on all potential drug pairs. Drugs that were not specified as the target drug pair tested in each survival model were included as time-varying covariates in all models. RESULTS We found significant transitions from alcohol [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.73, P < 0.001] and inhalants (aHR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.26-1.93, P < 0.001) to cannabis. Moreover, we found significant transitions from cannabis to alcohol (aHR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.47-3.91, P < 0.001), cocaine (aHR = 7.47, 95% CI = 4.26-13.09, P < 0.001), prescription opioids (aHR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.29-3.63, P < 0.01) and tranquilisers (aHR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.11-2.06, P < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings point to a strategic role of cannabis within drug first use sequence pattern. We had an important and unexpected finding-the bi-directional relationship between alcohol and cannabis. In addition, the first use of cannabis still precedes the first use of cocaine and non-medical use of tranquilisers and prescription opioids. [Castaldelli-Maia JM, Nicastri S, Cerdá M, Kim JH, Oliveira LG, Andrade AG, Martins, SS. In-transition culture of experimentation with cannabis in Latin American college students: A new role within a potential drug use sequencing pattern. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;00:000-000].
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Affiliation(s)
- João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, ABC Foundation, Santo André, Brazil.,ABC Center for Mental Health Studies, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Nicastri
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - June H Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | | | - Arthur Guerra de Andrade
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, ABC Foundation, Santo André, Brazil.,ABC Center for Mental Health Studies, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Silvia S Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
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Burris S. Theory and methods in comparative drug and alcohol policy research: Response to a review of the literature. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 41:126-131. [PMID: 28041769 PMCID: PMC5337158 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Comparative drug and alcohol policy analysis (CPA) is alive and well, and the emergence of robust alternatives to strict prohibition provides exciting research opportunities. As a multidisciplinary practice, however, CPA faces several methodological challenges. This commentary builds on a recent review of CPA by Ritter et al. (2016) to argue that the practice is hampered by a hazy definition of policy that leads to confusion in the specification and measurement of the phenomena being studied. This problem is aided and abetted by the all-too-common omission of theory from the conceptualization and presentation of research. Drawing on experience from the field of public health law research, this commentary suggests a distinction between empirical and non-empirical CPA, a simple taxonomic model of CPA policy-making, mapping, implementation and evaluation studies, a narrower definition of and rationale for "policy" research, a clear standard for measuring policy, and an expedient approach (and renewed commitment) to using theory explicitly in a multi-disciplinary practice. Strengthening CPA is crucial for the practice to have the impact on policy that good research can.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Burris
- Center for Public Health Law Research, Beasley School of Law, Temple University, 1719 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.
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Assessing the concordance between illicit drug laws on the books and drug law enforcement: Comparison of three states on the continuum from "decriminalised" to "punitive". THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 41:148-157. [PMID: 28190670 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variations in drug laws, as well as variations in enforcement practice, exist across jurisdictions. This study explored the feasibility of categorising drug laws "on the books" in terms of their punitiveness, and the extent of their concordance with "laws in practice" in a cross-national comparison. METHODS "Law on the books", classified with respect to both cannabis and other drug offences in the Czech Republic, NSW (AU) and Florida (USA) were analysed in order to establish an ordinal relationship between the three states. Indicators to assess the "laws in practice" covered both police (arrests) and court (sentencing) activity between 2002 and 2013. Parametric and non-parametric tests of equality of means, tests of stationarity and correlation analysis were used to examine the concordance between the ordinal categorisation of "laws on the books" and "laws in practice", as well as trends over time. RESULTS The Czech Republic had the most lenient drug laws; Florida had the most punitive and NSW was in-between. Examining the indicators of "laws in practice", we found that the population adjusted number of individuals sentenced to prison ranked across the three states was concordant with categorisation of "laws on the books", but the average sentence length and percentage of court cases sentenced to prison were not. Also, the de jure decriminalisation of drug possession in the Czech Republic yielded a far greater share of administrative offenses than the de facto decriminalisation of cannabis use / possession in NSW. Finally, the mean value of most "laws in practice" indicators changed significantly over time although the "laws on the books" didn't change. CONCLUSIONS While some indicators of "laws in practice" were concordant with the ordinal categorisation of drug laws, several indicators of "laws in practice" appeared to operate independently from the drug laws as stated. This has significant implications for drug policy analysis and means that research should not assume they are interchangeable and should consider each separately when designing research.
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Ritter A, Livingston M, Chalmers J, Berends L, Reuter P. Comparative policy analysis for alcohol and drugs: Current state of the field. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2016; 31:39-50. [PMID: 26944717 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A central policy research question concerns the extent to which specific policies produce certain effects - and cross-national (or between state/province) comparisons appear to be an ideal way to answer such a question. This paper explores the current state of comparative policy analysis (CPA) with respect to alcohol and drugs policies. METHODS We created a database of journal articles published between 2010 and 2014 as the body of CPA work for analysis. We used this database of 57 articles to clarify, extract and analyse the ways in which CPA has been defined. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the CPA methods employed, the policy areas that have been studied, and differences between alcohol CPA and drug CPA are explored. RESULTS There is a lack of clear definition as to what counts as a CPA. The two criteria for a CPA (explicit study of a policy, and comparison across two or more geographic locations), exclude descriptive epidemiology and single state comparisons. With the strict definition, most CPAs were with reference to alcohol (42%), although the most common policy to be analysed was medical cannabis (23%). The vast majority of papers undertook quantitative data analysis, with a variety of advanced statistical methods. We identified five approaches to the policy specification: classification or categorical coding of policy as present or absent; the use of an index; implied policy differences; described policy difference and data-driven policy coding. Each of these has limitations, but perhaps the most common limitation was the inability for the method to account for the differences between policy-as-stated versus policy-as-implemented. CONCLUSION There is significant diversity in CPA methods for analysis of alcohol and drugs policy, and some substantial challenges with the currently employed methods. The absence of clear boundaries to a definition of what counts as a 'comparative policy analysis' may account for the methodological plurality but also appears to stand in the way of advancing the techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Ritter
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Michael Livingston
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR), Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Jenny Chalmers
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Lynda Berends
- Centre for Health and Social Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Peter Reuter
- School of Public Policy and Department of Criminology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Palamar JJ. An examination of opinions toward marijuana policies among high school seniors in the United States. J Psychoactive Drugs 2015; 46:351-61. [PMID: 25364985 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2014.962716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Support for marijuana (cannabis) legalization is increasing in the US, and state-level marijuana policies are rapidly changing. Research is needed to examine correlates of opinions toward legalization among adolescents approaching adulthood as they are at high risk for use. Data were examined from a national representative sample of high school seniors in the Monitoring the Future study (years 2007-2011; N = 11,594) to delineate correlates of opinions toward legalization. A third of students felt marijuana should be entirely legal and 28.5% felt it should be treated as a minor violation; 48.0% felt that if legal to sell it should be sold to adults only, and 10.4% felt it should be sold to anyone. Females, conservatives, religious students, and those with friends who disapprove of marijuana use tended to be at lower odds for supporting legalization, and Black, liberal, and urban students were at higher odds for supporting more liberal policies. Recent and frequent marijuana use strongly increased odds for support for legalization; however, 16.7% of non-lifetime marijuana users also reported support for legalization. Findings should be interpreted with caution as state-level data were not available, but results suggest that support for marijuana legalization is common among specific subgroups of adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Palamar
- a Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health , New York University Langone Medical Center , New York , NY
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Mackey TK, Werb D, Beletsky L, Rangel G, Arredondo J, Strathdee SA. Mexico's "ley de narcomenudeo" drug policy reform and the international drug control regime. Harm Reduct J 2014; 11:31. [PMID: 25395346 PMCID: PMC4234880 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-11-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been over half a century since the landmark Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs was adopted, for the first time unifying international drug policy under a single treaty aimed at limiting use, manufacture, trade, possession, and trafficking of opiates, cannabis, and other narcotics. Since then, other international drug policy measures have been adopted, largely emphasizing enforcement-based approaches to reducing drug supply and use. Recently, in response to concerns that the historic focus on criminalization and enforcement has had limited effectiveness, international drug policies have begun to undergo a paradigm shift as countries seek to enact their own reforms to partially depenalize or deregulate personal drug use and possession. This includes Mexico, which in 2009 enacted national drug policy reform partially decriminalizing possession of small quantities of narcotics for personal consumption while also requiring drug treatment for repeat offenders. As countries move forward with their own reform models, critical assessment of their legal compatibility and effectiveness is necessary. In this commentary we conduct a critical assessment of the compatibility of Mexico's reform policy to the international drug policy regime and describe its role in the current evolving drug policy environment. We argue that Mexico's reform is consistent with flexibilities allowed under international drug treaty instruments and related commentaries. We also advocate that drug policy reforms and future governance efforts should be based on empirical evidence, emphasize harm reduction practices, and integrate evidence-based evaluation and implementation of drug reform measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim K Mackey
- />Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
- />Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
- />Global Health Policy Institute, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Daniel Werb
- />Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Leo Beletsky
- />Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
- />School of Law, Northeastern University, Boston, MA USA
- />Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Gudelia Rangel
- />Department of Population Studies, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Jaime Arredondo
- />Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Steffanie A Strathdee
- />Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
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Palamar JJ, Ompad DC, Petkova E. Correlates of intentions to use cannabis among US high school seniors in the case of cannabis legalization. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2014; 25:424-35. [PMID: 24589410 PMCID: PMC4071130 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 12/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Support for cannabis ("marijuana") legalization is increasing in the United States (US). Use was recently legalized in two states and in Uruguay, and other states and countries are expected to follow suit. This study examined intentions to use among US high school seniors if cannabis were to become legally available. METHODS Data from the last five cohorts (2007-2011) of high school seniors in Monitoring the Future, an annual nationally representative survey of students in the US were utilized. Data were analyzed separately for the 6116 seniors who reported no lifetime use of cannabis and the 3829 seniors who reported lifetime use (weighted Ns). We examined whether demographic characteristics, substance use and perceived friend disapproval towards cannabis use were associated with (1) intention to try cannabis among non-lifetime users, and (2) intention to use cannabis as often or more often among lifetime users, if cannabis was legal to use. RESULTS Ten percent of non-cannabis-using students reported intent to initiate use if legal and this would be consistent with a 5.6% absolute increase in lifetime prevalence of cannabis use in this age group from 45.6% (95% CI=44.6, 46.6) to 51.2% (95% CI=50.2, 52.2). Eighteen percent of lifetime users reported intent to use cannabis more often if it was legal. Odds for intention to use outcomes increased among groups already at high risk for use (e.g., males, whites, cigarette smokers) and odds were reduced when friends disapproved of use. However, large proportions of subgroups of students normally at low risk for use (e.g., non-cigarette-smokers, religious students, those with friends who disapprove of use) reported intention to use if legal. Recent use was also a risk factor for reporting intention to use as often or more often. CONCLUSION Prevalence of cannabis use is expected to increase if cannabis is legal to use and legally available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Palamar
- New York University Langone Medical Center, Department of Population Health, One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, New York University, 726 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA; Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University, 726 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA.
| | - Danielle C Ompad
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, New York University, 726 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA; Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University, 726 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA; Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health, New York University, 411 Lafayette Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Eva Petkova
- New York University Langone Medical Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA; Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
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