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Mowbray O, Purser G, Tennant E, Paseda O. Substance use related violent deaths among racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Addict Behav 2022; 133:107384. [PMID: 35671554 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
While prior research highlights the overlap of substance use and violent death, few examine this overlap among different racial/ethnic groups or how patterns change over time. This study examines how substance use related deaths differ by racial/ethnic groups in the United States. We use data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), which includes violent deaths from 43 states in the U.S., collected for the decade between 2009 and 2019 (N = 226,459). Fixed-effects multivariate models examined whether race/ethnicity was associated with substance use-related death over time, controlling for additional demographic and clinical factors. Results showed a significantly larger rate of increase over time for African American and Hispanic (any race) persons compared to White non-Hispanic persons for most types of substance use-related deaths. While current rates of substance use may show little variability between African American, Hispanic, and White non-Hispanic individuals, this research suggests that the consequences for substance use, including death, may be disproportional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orion Mowbray
- University of Georgia, School of Social Work, 279 Williams St, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Greg Purser
- Louisiana State University, Department of Social Work, Huey P Long Field House, APT 311, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Elena Tennant
- Louisiana State University, Department of Social Work, Huey P Long Field House, APT 311, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Oluwayomi Paseda
- University of Georgia, School of Social Work, 279 Williams St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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2
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Neiswenter SA, Tupu M, Cross C, Fudenberg J, Harding BE. Postmortem
THC
in decedents following legalization of recreational cannabis in Clark County, Nevada. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1632-1639. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Momilani Tupu
- School of Life Sciences University of Nevada Las Vegas Nevada USA
| | - Chad Cross
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health School of Public Health University of Nevada Las Vegas Nevada USA
| | - John Fudenberg
- Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner Las Vegas Nevada USA
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3
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Krywanczyk A, Gilson T. Homicide by Unspecified Means: Cleveland 2008 to 2019. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2021; 42:211-215. [PMID: 33491950 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The diagnosis homicide by unspecified means (HUM) is used to categorize deaths occurring under suspicious or criminal circumstances, but a specific cause of death cannot be identified. In 2010, Matshes and Lew (Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2010;31(2):174-177) presented a HUM cases series, from which they derived 5 diagnostic criteria; however, the accuracy of these criteria has not been assessed.To identify a validation cohort, Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office records were searched from 2008 to 2019 for cases certified as HUM. Thirteen cases were identified; on review, all cases fulfilled criteria 1, 4, and 5. Only 1 case had a potential anatomic cause of death identified (criterion 2).However, in 3 cases, toxicologic analyses could not be conducted because of skeletonization; in 2 cases, the decedents tested positive for cocaine/benzoylecgonine but were found in proximity to other victims for whom a specific violent cause of death was determined. By strict reading of criterion 3, these cases would have been excluded from the diagnosis of HUM. Perpetrators confessed to homicide in 7 cases, including the 5 cases that failed the toxicologic criterion. The 2010 diagnostic criteria are a reasonable foundation for the determination of HUM; modification of criterion 3 would provide improved flexibility based on clinical judgment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Krywanczyk
- From the Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
| | - Thomas Gilson
- Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office, Cleveland, OH
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4
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Improved medical treatment could explain a decrease in homicides with a single stab wound. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020; 16:415-422. [PMID: 32367450 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1990s, there has been a reduction in the homicide rate in Denmark and other Western countries. Our hypothesis is that part of the decrease in the sharp force homicide rate can be explained by better and faster medical treatment over time, and we explore this via stab wound homicides, the largest group of homicides in Denmark. To investigate our hypothesis we undertook an epidemiological study of 428 stab wound homicides in Denmark 1992-2016 based on autopsy reports with registration of stab wounds, quantification of injury severity, treatment intensity and survival time. During 1992-2016, there was a significant reduction in the annual number of victims with a single stab wound, but no reduction in victims with multiple stab wounds. Victims with single stab wounds reached the hospital more often, survived longer and had less severe injuries (New Injury Severity Score (NISS)) than victims with multiple stab wounds. Higher NISS correlated with shorter survival time for all the stab wound victims and for the subgroup that underwent medical treatment. During the 25-year study period, the proportion of victims who underwent surgery before dying increased threefold. The victims in the first half of the study period had shorter survival times than the victims in the last half. We concluded that better and faster medical treatment could partly be responsible for the observed decrease in the number of single stab wound homicides and thereby possibly also in the total number of stab wound homicides.
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Campeny E, López-Pelayo H, Nutt D, Blithikioti C, Oliveras C, Nuño L, Maldonado R, Florez G, Arias F, Fernández-Artamendi S, Villalbí JR, Sellarès J, Ballbè M, Rehm J, Balcells-Olivero MM, Gual A. The blind men and the elephant: Systematic review of systematic reviews of cannabis use related health harms. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 33:1-35. [PMID: 32165103 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is the third most used psychoactive substance worldwide. The legal status of cannabis is changing in many Western countries, while we have very limited knowledge of the public health impact of cannabis-related harms. There is a need for a summary of the evidence of harms and risks attributed to cannabis use, in order to inform the definition of cannabis risky use. We have conducted a systematic review of systematic reviews, aiming to define cannabis-related harms. We included systematic reviews published until July 2018 from six different databases and following the PRISMA guidelines. To assess study quality we applied the AMSTAR 2 tool. A total of 44 systematic reviews, including 1,053 different studies, were eligible for inclusion. Harm was categorized in three dimensions: mental health, somatic harm and physical injury (including mortality). Evidence shows a clear association between cannabis use and psychosis, affective disorders, anxiety, sleep disorders, cognitive failures, respiratory adverse events, cancer, cardiovascular outcomes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, cannabis use is a risk factor for motor vehicle collision, suicidal behavior and partner and child violence. Cannabis use is a risk factor for several medical conditions and negative social consequences. There is still little data on the dose-dependency of these effects; evidence that is essential in order to define, from a public health perspective, what can be considered risky use of cannabis. This definition should be based on quantitative and qualitative criteria that informs and permits the evaluation of current approaches to a regulated cannabis market.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Campeny
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - H López-Pelayo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Nutt
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - C Blithikioti
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Oliveras
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Nuño
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Maldonado
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Florez
- Hospital Universitario de Ourense, Ourense, Spain
| | - F Arias
- Hospital Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - J R Villalbí
- Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Sellarès
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ballbè
- Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, (CAMH), Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Canada; Addiction Policy, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (UofT), Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UofT, Canada; Epidemiological Research Unit, Klinische Psychologie & Psychotherapie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - M M Balcells-Olivero
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Gual
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Grup Recerca Addiccions Clinic (GRAC-GRE) Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
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Nazarov O, Li G. Trends in alcohol and marijuana detected in homicide victims in 9 US states: 2004-2016. Inj Epidemiol 2020; 7:2. [PMID: 32127050 PMCID: PMC6943884 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-019-0229-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Use of alcohol and other drugs is a major risk factor for assaultive injuries and violent deaths. The purpose of this study was to examine the time trends in the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana detected in homicide victims. Methods We analyzed toxicological testing data for homicide victims (n = 12,638) from the 2004–2016 National Violent Death Reporting System in 9 US states (Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin). We used the Cochran-Armitage test for trend to assess the statistical significance of changes in the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana detected in these homicide victims during the study period. Results Overall, 37.5% of the homicide victims tested positive for alcohol, 31.0% positive for marijuana, and 11.4% positive for both substances. During the study period, the prevalence of marijuana increased from 22.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19.6, 25.0) in 2004 to 42.1% (95% CI = 39.2, 44.9) in 2016 (Z = -15.7; P < .001) while the prevalence of alcohol declined slightly (Z = 1.5; P = 0.143). Marked increases in the prevalence of marijuana were observed in both sexes and across age and racial groups. Conclusions Marijuana is increasingly detected in homicide victims irrespective of demographic characteristics. Further research is needed to assess the causal role of marijuana use and concurrent use of marijuana and alcohol in homicide victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oybek Nazarov
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guohua Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
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7
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Bedi G, Hao X, Van Dam NT, Cooper ZD, Rubin E, Vadhan NP, Marino L, Haney M. Social motivational processing and interpersonal function in aging cocaine smokers. Addict Biol 2019; 24:1044-1055. [PMID: 30328665 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Illicit drug use among aging cohorts is increasing, yet little is known about functional impairments in older drug users. Given the importance of social integration for aging and documented social decrements in cocaine users, we examined social function and its neurocognitive substrates in aging cocaine users relative to carefully matched non-cocaine users. Regular (≥twice/week), long-term (≥15 years) cocaine smokers 50-60 years old (COCs; n = 22; four women) and controls (CTRLs; n = 19; four women) underwent standardized probes of social reward and threat processing during functional magnetic resonance imaging and a behavioral facial affect recognition task. Self-report and peer-report of daily interpersonal function were also collected. COCs, and CTRLs reporting current marijuana or alcohol use, were tested after four drug-free inpatient days. COCs had pronounced problems in daily social function relative to CTRLs indicated by both their own and their peers' reports. Compared with CTRLs, COCs had stronger amygdala responses to social threat versus control stimuli, with no other differences in social processing or cognition. Aging cocaine users appear to have marked, generalized difficulties in 'real-world' interpersonal function but largely intact social processing on laboratory-based measures when compared with appropriately matched controls and tested under well-controlled conditions. Daily social difficulties may be related to transient factors such as acute/residual drug effects or cocaine-related changes in health behaviors (e.g. disrupted sleep and poor diet). These data suggest that interpersonal function may be a valid intervention target for aging cocaine users and warrants further study in older drug users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillinder Bedi
- Department of Psychiatry; Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York NY USA
- Centre for Youth Mental Health; University of Melbourne; Australia
- Orygen, National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health; Australia
| | - Xuejun Hao
- Department of Psychiatry; Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York NY USA
| | | | - Ziva D. Cooper
- Department of Psychiatry; Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York NY USA
| | - Eric Rubin
- Department of Psychiatry; Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York NY USA
| | - Nehal P. Vadhan
- Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine and Feinstein Institute for Medical Research; Great Neck NY USA
| | - Leslie Marino
- Department of Psychiatry; Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York NY USA
| | - Margaret Haney
- Department of Psychiatry; Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York NY USA
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8
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Lemos YV, Wainstein AJA, Savoi LM, Drummond-Lage AP. Epidemiological and toxicological profile of homicide victims in a legal medicine unit in Brazil. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 65:55-60. [PMID: 31103924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The use of illicit drugs is considered a risk factor for victimization by lethal violence and is frequently found in necropsies of homicide victims. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of these victims. METHODS AND MATERIAL A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on homicide victims in 2014 with a sample composed of all homicide cases in 2014 for which toxicology had been performed in an Official Forensic Laboratory (Minas Gerais- Brazil). RESULTS 1382 homicide victims composed the sample. The group with a positive toxicology test (N = 943) presented higher proportions of men (p = 0.003), black/brown skin (p < 0.001), firearm history (p = 0.007) and a lower mean age (p < 0.001). In 72.2% of the positive tests, cocaine and benzoylecgonine were found; in 67.7%, THC and/or its metabolite was found; and in 43.1%, both illicit drugs were found. CONCLUSIONS The role of illicit drugs in early death goes far beyond intoxication as they are directly associated with age, skin color and gender. Young black/mixed men have an increased risk of homicide. Our findings point to the importance of investing in social actions, public safety and efforts to reduce drug use in this at-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Vieira Lemos
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30110-130, Brazil; Instituto Médico Legal de Belo Horizonte, Rua Nícias Continentino 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30510-160, Brazil
| | - Alberto Julius Alves Wainstein
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30110-130, Brazil; Instituto Médico Legal de Belo Horizonte, Rua Nícias Continentino 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30510-160, Brazil
| | - Larissa Miranda Savoi
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30110-130, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Drummond-Lage
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30110-130, Brazil; Instituto Médico Legal de Belo Horizonte, Rua Nícias Continentino 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30510-160, Brazil.
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Auckloo MBKM, Davies BB. Post-mortem toxicology in violent fatalities in Cape Town, South Africa: A preliminary investigation. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 63:18-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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10
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Bordoni PHC, Santos DMMD, Teixeira JS, Bordoni LS. Deaths from abdominal trauma: analysis of 1888 forensic autopsies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 44:582-595. [PMID: 29267555 DOI: 10.1590/0100-69912017006006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to evaluate the epidemiological profile of deaths due to abdominal trauma at the Forensic Medicine Institute of Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil. METHODS we conducted a retrospective study of the reports of deaths due to abdominal trauma autopsied from 2006 to 2011. RESULTS we analyzed 1.888 necropsy reports related to abdominal trauma. Penetrating trauma was more common than blunt one and gunshot wounds were more prevalent than stab wounds. Most of the individuals were male, brown-skinned, single and occupationally active. The median age was 34 years. The abdominal organs most injured in the penetrating trauma were the liver and the intestines, and in blunt trauma, the liver and the spleen. Homicide was the most prevalent circumstance of death, followed by traffic accidents, and almost half of the cases were referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute by a health unit. The blood alcohol test was positive in a third of the necropsies where it was performed. Cocaine and marijuana were the most commonly found substances in toxicology studies. CONCLUSION in this sample. there was a predominance of penetrating abdominal trauma in young, brown and single men, the liver being the most injured organ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jaísa Santana Teixeira
- - José Bonifácio Lafayette de Andrada Foundation, Faculty of Medicine, Barbacena, MG, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Santos Bordoni
- - José Bonifácio Lafayette de Andrada Foundation, Faculty of Medicine, Barbacena, MG, Brazil.,- Civil State Police of Minas Gerais, Forensic Medicine Institute, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,- University of Ouro Preto, School of Medicine, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
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Molina DK, Hargrove VM. Can Intoxication Status Be Used as a Prediction Tool for Manner of Death? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 38:69-73. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Bedi G, Shiffrin L, Vadhan NP, Nunes EV, Foltin RW, Bisaga A. Effects of levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone and smoked cocaine on facial affect recognition in cocaine smokers. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:370-7. [PMID: 26921145 PMCID: PMC4794345 DOI: 10.1177/0269881115626308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In addition to difficulties in daily social functioning, regular cocaine users have decrements in social processing (the cognitive and affective processes underlying social behavior) relative to non-users. Little is known, however, about the effects of clinically-relevant pharmacological agents, such as cocaine and potential treatment medications, on social processing in cocaine users. Such drug effects could potentially alleviate or compound baseline social processing decrements in cocaine abusers. Here, we assessed the individual and combined effects of smoked cocaine and a potential treatment medication, levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone (LCE), on facial emotion recognition in cocaine smokers. Healthy non-treatment-seeking cocaine smokers (N = 14; two female) completed this 11-day inpatient within-subjects study. Participants received LCE (titrated to 400mg/100mg/200mg b.i.d.) for five days with the remaining time on placebo. The order of medication administration was counterbalanced. Facial emotion recognition was measured twice during target LCE dosing and twice on placebo: once without cocaine and once after repeated cocaine doses. LCE increased the response threshold for identification of facial fear, biasing responses away from fear identification. Cocaine had no effect on facial emotion recognition. Results highlight the possibility for candidate pharmacotherapies to have unintended impacts on social processing in cocaine users, potentially exacerbating already existing difficulties in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillinder Bedi
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Shiffrin
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Nehal P. Vadhan
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University School of Medicine
| | - Edward V. Nunes
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Richard W. Foltin
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Adam Bisaga
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY
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McGinty EE, Choksy S, Wintemute GJ. The Relationship Between Controlled Substances and Violence. Epidemiol Rev 2016; 38:5-31. [DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxv008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Fragkouli K, Boumba V, Vougiouklakis T. Survey of medico-legal investigation of homicide in the region of Epirus (Northwest Greece). J Forensic Leg Med 2016; 37:39-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Sheehan CM, Rogers RG, Boardman JD. Postmortem Presence of Drugs and Method of Violent Suicide. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2015; 45:249-262. [PMID: 27239069 PMCID: PMC4880407 DOI: 10.1177/0022042615580988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The link between substance use and suicide is well established. However, little research analyzes how substance use is related to the method of suicide. This paper analyzes how specific drugs are associated with method of suicide, a critical topic because drug use bears on the etiology of suicide and may lead to policies aimed at deterring suicide. We use the COVDRS and logistic regression to examine postmortem presence of drugs among 3,389 hanging and firearm suicides in Colorado from 2004-2009. Net of demographic controls, we find that opiates are positively associated with firearms (OR: 1.92, 95% L: 1.27, 95% U: 2.86]) while antidepressants are positively associated with hanging (OR: 1.45, 95% L: 1.04, 95% U: 2.03). For cocaine and opiates, the association between drug use and violent method vary by educational attainment. Importantly, knowledge of the presence and type of specific drug is strongly associated with the method of suicide.
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Hedlund J, Ahlner J, Kristiansson M, Sturup J. A population-based study on toxicological findings in Swedish homicide victims and offenders from 2007 to 2009. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 244:25-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Kristoffersen S, Lilleng P, Mæhle B, Morild I. Homicides in Western Norway, 1985–2009, time trends, age and gender differences. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 238:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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de la Fuente L, Molist G, Espelt A, Barrio G, Guitart A, Bravo MJ, Brugal MT. Mortality risk factors and excess mortality in a cohort of cocaine users admitted to drug treatment in Spain. J Subst Abuse Treat 2014; 46:219-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Sheehan CM, Rogers RG, Williams GW, Boardman JD. Gender differences in the presence of drugs in violent deaths. Addiction 2013; 108:547-55. [PMID: 23017242 PMCID: PMC4104539 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04098.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate differences in the presence of drugs, by gender, when considering deaths attributable to homicides and suicides. DESIGN Logistic regression analysis of mortality data collected by the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A total of 5791 Colorado decedents who died of violent causes from 2004 to 2009. MEASUREMENT Forensic pathologist autopsy data on drug presence at time of death, coded as present, not present or missing. FINDINGS Postmortem presence of drugs is associated strongly with the specific cause of violent death. Compared with suicide decedents, homicide decedents are significantly more likely to test positive for amphetamines [odds ratio (OR): 1.79; confidence interval (CI): 1.34, 2.39], marijuana (OR: 2.03; CI: 1.60, 2.58) and cocaine (OR: 2.60; CI: 2.04, 3.31), and are less likely to test positive for opiates (OR: 0.27; CI: 0.18, 0.39) and antidepressants (OR: 0.17; CI: 0.10, 0.28). When other drugs are controlled for the influence of alcohol is abated dramatically. The patterns of drug prevalence associated with homicide (particularly marijuana) are stronger among males; the patterns of drug prevalence associated with suicide are stronger among females. CONCLUSIONS Suicide and homicide decedents are characterized by varying patterns of licit and illicit drug use that differ by gender. Drugs associated with homicide (marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines) are stronger among males, while drugs associated with suicide are stronger among females (antidepressants and opiates). Taking these differences into consideration may allow for targeted interventions to reduce violent deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor M. Sheehan
- Population Research Center and Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Richard G. Rogers
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science and Department of Sociology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - George W. Williams
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science and Department of Sociology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Jason D. Boardman
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science and Department of Sociology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Barrio G, Molist G, de la Fuente L, Fernández F, Guitart A, Bravo MJ, Brugal MT. Mortality in a cohort of young primary cocaine users: controlling the effect of the riskiest drug-use behaviors. Addict Behav 2013; 38:1601-4. [PMID: 23254204 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Published studies indicate that primary cocaine users (PCUs) have a mortality rate 4-8 times higher than their age-sex peers in the general population. Most PCUs are primary intranasal cocaine users, never-injectors and never-opioid users (PICUNINOs) and are usually underrepresented in cohort mortality studies. The aim is to estimate excess mortality in all PCUs and in the subgroups of never-opioid users and PICUNINOs in Spain. METHODS 714 PCUs aged 18-30 were street-recruited in 2004-2006 in Spain and followed until 2010 to ascertain vital status. Drug use was self-reported at baseline and 1-2years later. Mortality was compared with that of the general population using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). RESULTS SMRs were 4.7 (95% CI: 2.4-9.0), 2.5 (95%CI: 0.8-7.8) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.0-9.6), respectively, among all participants, never-opioid users and PICUNINOS when using only baseline data on drug use, and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.2-8.5) and 1.4 (95% CI: 0.2-9.9) among the latter two subgroups, when using baseline plus follow-up data. CONCLUSION Short-term mortality in young Spanish PCUs is 5 times higher than in the general population. This excess mortality may largely be explained by a history of opioid use or the risk of starting such use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Barrio
- National School of Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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Drummer OH, Kennedy B, Bugeja L, Ibrahim JE, Ozanne-Smith J. Interpretation of postmortem forensic toxicology results for injury prevention research. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Sisti D, Rocchi MBL, Macciò A, Preti A. The epidemiology of homicide in Italy by season, day of the week and time of day. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2012; 52:100-106. [PMID: 22422785 DOI: 10.1258/msl.2011.010147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Circadian and seasonal rhythms have an impact on the risk of violent death in humans, with more evidence available in suicide than in homicide. This study set out to investigate the pattern of deaths by homicide in Italy, taking into account the month, the day of the week and the time of day when the homicidal incident happened. Data based on official statistics on deaths by homicide (n = 3894) from 2003 to 2008 were analysed by spectral analysis and circular statistics techniques based on the Rayleigh test. Homicides showed seasonal distribution with a bimodal pattern, with summer (July and August) and winter (December and January) peaks over the other seasons. Homicides also peaked on Sundays and Mondays and were at their highest at night-time (00:00 to 5:59 hours). These rhythms in homicide victimization could be accounted for by social factors - within the framework of the routine activity theory - by psychological factors, including those leading to domestic violence, and by biological factors, including those impacting on impulse dyscontrol. The identification of risk or protective factors involved in the victim's surviving or succumbing to an assault might be important for the prevention of the worst outcome of injury at large, suicides and accidents included.
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Drug and alcohol use by homicide victims in Trinidad and Tobago, 2001-2007. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2012; 8:243-51. [PMID: 22240925 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-011-9305-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
This paper examines toxicology results from homicide victims in Trinidad and Tobago to explore patterns in pre-mortem drug and alcohol use. Toxicology test results were obtained for 1,780 homicide victims. Toxicology data from the coroner's office were linked with police data on homicide incidents to examine patterns in drug use and homicide. Trinidad and Tobago homicide victims tested positive for cannabis at a significantly higher rate (32%) than the average rate among other drug toxicology studies. Victims tested positive for alcohol (29%), cocaine (7%), and opioids (1.5%) at rates that were either comparable with or lower than those of homicide victims examined in other studies. The proportion of victims testing positive for cannabis grew significantly from 2001 to 2007; the proportions for alcohol and other drugs were fairly stable over time. Toxicology results also varied by homicide motive, weapon type, and the demographic characteristics of the victim. Toxicology data are a useful source for understanding patterns in drug use and homicide. Though such data have limitations, when combined with other types of data, they can often provide unique insights about a community's drug and violence problems.
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Abstract
This paper summarises data for the prevalence, correlates, and probable adverse health consequences of problem use of amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and opioids. We discuss findings from systematic reviews of the prevalence of illicit drug use and dependence, remission from dependence, and mortality in illicit drug users, and evidence for acute and chronic effects of illicit drug use. We outline the regional and global distribution of use and estimated health burden from illicit drugs. These distributions are likely to be underestimates because they have not included all adverse outcomes of drug use and exclude those of cannabis--the mostly widely used illicit drug. In high-income countries, illicit drug use contributes less to the burden of disease than does tobacco but a substantial proportion of that due to alcohol. The major adverse health effects of cannabis use are dependence and probably psychotic disorders and other mental disorders. The health-related harms of cannabis use differ from those of amphetamine, cocaine, and opioid use, in that cannabis contributes little to mortality. Intelligent policy responses to drug problems need better data for the prevalence of different types of illicit drug use and the harms that their use causes globally. This need is especially urgent in high-income countries with substantial rates of illicit drug use and in low-income and middle-income countries close to illicit drug production areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Pérez-Mañá C, Castells X, Vidal X, Casas M, Capellà D. Efficacy of indirect dopamine agonists for psychostimulant dependence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Subst Abuse Treat 2011; 40:109-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2010.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Revised: 08/14/2010] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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