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Chen WJ, Chen CY, Wu SC, Wu KCC, Jou S, Tung YC, Lu TP. The impact of Taiwan's implementation of a nationwide harm reduction program in 2006 on the use of various illicit drugs: trend analysis of first-time offenders from 2001 to 2017. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:117. [PMID: 34798883 PMCID: PMC8603590 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00566-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After implementing a nationwide harm reduction program in 2006, a dramatic decline in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among people with injection drug use (IDU) was observed in Taiwan. The harm reduction program might have sent out the message discouraging the choice of IDU among illicit drug users in early stage. Based on the yearly first-time offense rates from 2001 to 2017, this study aimed to examine (1) whether the nationwide implementation of the harm reduction program in 2006 led to changes in first-time offenders’ use of heroin; (2) whether the intervention had a similar effect on the use of other illicit drugs; and (3) whether the effect of the intervention was limited to the first-time offenders of young age groups. Methods Yearly first-time illicit-drug offense rates from 2001 to 2017 in Taiwan were derived from two national databases for drug arrests that were verified using urine tests: the Criminal Record Processing System on Schedule I/II Drugs and the Administrative Penalty System for Schedule III/IV Substances. A hierarchy of mutually exclusive categories of drug uses was defined by the drug with the highest schedule level among those tested positive in an arrest. Segmented regression analyses of interrupted time series were used to test for the impact of the 2006 intervention. Results There was a decrease of 22.37 per 100,000 in the rate for heroin but no detectable level changes in that for methamphetamine or ecstasy after the 2006 intervention in Taiwan. There were baseline decreasing trends in the first-time offense rate from 2001 to 2017 for heroin and ecstasy and an increasing trend for methamphetamine, with the slopes not altered by the 2006 intervention. The postintervention decrease in the first-time offense rate for heroin was detectable among offenders less than 40 years old. Conclusions Our results indicate a diffusion effect of the 2006 intervention on decreasing heroin use among young offenders and have policy implications for better prevention and treatment for different age groups. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12954-021-00566-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei J Chen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan. .,Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Ya Chen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Chi Wu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Kevin Chien-Chang Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Bioethics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Susyan Jou
- Graduate School of Criminology, National Taipei University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Tung
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Pin Lu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.,Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tran BX, Moir M, Nguyen TMT, Do HN, Vu GT, Dang AK, Ha GH, Nguyen THT, Vuong HQ, Ho TM, Van Dam N, Vuong TT, Latkin CA, Ho CSH, Ho RCM. Changes in quality of life and its associated factors among illicit drug users in Vietnamese mountainous provinces: a 12-month follow-up study. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY 2020; 15:23. [PMID: 32188457 PMCID: PMC7081525 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-020-00265-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background Sustainability of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program involves regularly assessing its impact on health and social outcomes of drug users in different settings, particularly in disadvantaged areas. In this study, we evaluated the change in quality of life (QoL), and identified associated factors amongst drug users over the course of 12-month MMT in Vietnamese mountainous provinces. Methods We conducted a longitudinal study among patients from 6 MMT clinics in three mountainous provinces of Vietnam. At baseline, we screened 300 participants and after a 12-month treatment, 244 participants remained to involve in the study. World Health Organization Quality of Life short form instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to measure the QoL of patients. The magnitude of the changes was extrapolated. Results There were significant changes in all four dimensions of quality of life measured by WHOQoL-BREF between baseline and 12 months with the effect size ranged from 0.21 to 0.24. Increased age, being workers compared to unemployment and having health problems or comorbidities were positively related to reduced scores of QoL. Conclusions To conclude, we observed a significant increase in the QoL level regarding physical, psychological, social relationships and environmental aspects among people who used drug after 12 months of MMT. Findings from this study emphasize the role of continuously receiving MMT treatment among people using drugs to enhance their QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bach Xuan Tran
- Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, No. 1 Ton That Tung Street, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam. .,Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Mackenzie Moir
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Tam Minh Thi Nguyen
- Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Ha Ngoc Do
- Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Giang Thu Vu
- Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Anh Kim Dang
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam
| | - Giang Hai Ha
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam
| | - Trang Huyen Thi Nguyen
- Center of Excellence in Pharmacoeconomics and Management, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Quan Vuong
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Tung Manh Ho
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Nhue Van Dam
- National Economics University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | | | - Carl A Latkin
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Cyrus S H Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Roger C M Ho
- Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
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3
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Gender Differences in Risky Injection Practices Among People Who Inject Drugs in Colombia. ADDICTIVE DISORDERS & THEIR TREATMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1097/adt.0000000000000161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Asif A, Ayub S, Komal A, Noor S, Jalal U. Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis (B & C) among drug users in a tertiary care public hospital. Pak J Med Sci 2019; 35:459-463. [PMID: 31086533 PMCID: PMC6500812 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.35.2.500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To find out the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis (B & C) among the drug users in a tertiary care public hospital. Methods: The study was conducted at addiction ward of Mayo Hospital Lahore. A total of 453 drug users were admitted in drug addiction ward from 1st of August 2016 to 31st of July 2017. Their history was taken using self-constructed case history form and they were screened for HIV and hepatitis (B & C). Additionally three types of screening tests including Unigold, Determine and Bioline were used for HIV screening. Results: Of 402 (100%) drug users, 394 (98%) were male and 8 (2%) were female. Their mean age was 32.2 (8.8) years. Overall prevalence of HIV virus was 21.1%, Hepatitis C 34.3% and Hepatitis B 3.2% in drug users. Among HIV positive drug users, 84.7% drug users took drugs through injections as compared to 15.3% who took drugs orally. Among HCV positive drug users, 68.9% drug users took drugs through injections as compared to 31.1% oral drug users. Relapse rate of drug use among all drug users was also very high as 83.3%. Of these drug users, 47.2% had previously sought treatment while other 52.8% never sought any treatment. Family history of drug abuse indicated that 32.2% drug users had family members who were also drug users. Moreover, about 11.4% drug users had previous history of blood transfusion. Conclusion: HIV and hepatitis B & C were prevalent among drug users specially those who took drugs through injections. Relapse rate was significantly high and history of drug use in family may also predispose an individual towards becoming a drug addict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Asif
- Prof. Dr. Aftab Asif, MBBS, MRCPsych. Chairperson, Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sumaira Ayub
- Sumaira Ayub, PhD Scholar. Research Assistant, Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Afreen Komal
- Afreen Komal, PhD Scholar. Lecturer, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shahbaz Noor
- Shahbaz Noor, MBBS, MRC Psych. Assistant Professor, Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Umer Jalal
- Umer Jalal, MBBS. Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
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Tuot S, Ngin C, Pal K, Sou S, Sawez G, Morgan P, Srey M, Chan T, Chhoun P, Golichenko O, Choub SC, Yi S. How understanding and application of drug-related legal instruments affects harm reduction interventions in Cambodia: a qualitative study. Harm Reduct J 2017. [PMID: 28629463 PMCID: PMC5477156 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0167-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Harm reduction interventions in Cambodia face numerous obstacles because of conflicting understanding and interests and inconsistencies in the implementation by law enforcement officials. This study aims to examine how understanding and application of Drug Control Law (DCL) and Village/Commune Safety Policy (VCSP) affects harm reduction interventions in Cambodia from the standpoints of law enforcement officials, people who inject drugs and people who use drugs (PWID/PWUD), as well as other key stakeholders. METHODS This qualitative study was conducted in the capital city of Phnom Penh in 2015. We held five focus group discussions (FGDs) with groups of PWID/PWUD, police officers, Sangkat/commune officers, and local non-governmental organization (NGO) field staff. We also conducted ten key informant interviews (KIIs) with representatives from government agencies, donor agencies, and NGOs. FGDs and KIIs with Cambodian participants were transcribed in Khmer and translated into English. KIIs with foreign participants were transcribed in English. Transcripts were read and re-read to identify emerging themes, which were reviewed and refined to develop common and divergent patterns. RESULTS There was a huge gap between what the DCL and VCSP say and how law enforcement officers and PWID/PWUD understood them. The gap was also evident in how law enforcement officers implemented the DCL and VCSP. Harm reduction services, including health- and non-health-related interventions, were limited and challenged by unsupportive attitudes, misinterpretation of the DCL and VCSP, and the lack of full engagement with NGOs in the development of these instruments. The needs of PWID/PWUD in accessing health care services were not met due to misconduct of authorities while practicing the DCL and VCSP. Further, the misconduct and enforcement of the law and policy lead to increased social discrimination and physical abuses against PWID/PWUD. CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of common understanding of the drug-related law and policy and their implications to harm reduction services among both law enforcement officers and PWID/PWUD. Thus, there is a need to mainstream and simplify the law and policy for better comprehension among these actors. To improve the quality and coverage of harm reduction interventions, the gap of understanding and enforcement of laws and policies should be narrowed, and coordination between the government and NGOs and other key stakeholders should be strengthened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sovannary Tuot
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Chanrith Ngin
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Khuondyla Pal
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sochenda Sou
- Asia Actions for Harm Reduction, KHANA, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Ghazal Sawez
- Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, 94592, USA
| | - Phylicia Morgan
- Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, 94592, USA
| | - Mony Srey
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Tola Chan
- Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Pheak Chhoun
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | - Siyan Yi
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. .,Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, 94592, USA.
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Culbert GJ, Pillai V, Bick J, Al-Darraji HA, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Bazazi AR, Ferro E, Copenhaver M, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Confronting the HIV, Tuberculosis, Addiction, and Incarceration Syndemic in Southeast Asia: Lessons Learned from Malaysia. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2016; 11:446-55. [PMID: 27216260 PMCID: PMC5118227 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-016-9676-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Throughout Southeast Asia, repressive drug laws have resulted in high rates of imprisonment in people who inject drugs (PWID) and people living with HIV (PLH), greatly magnifying the harm associated with HIV, tuberculosis, and addiction. We review findings from Malaysia's largest prison to describe the negative synergistic effects of HIV, tuberculosis, addiction, and incarceration that contribute to a 'perfect storm' of events challenging public and personal health and offer insights into innovative strategies to control these converging epidemics. The majority of PLH who are imprisoned in Malaysia are opioid dependent PWID. Although promoted by official policy, evidence-based addiction treatment is largely unavailable, contributing to rapid relapse and/or overdose after release. Similarly, HIV treatment in prisons and compulsory drug treatment centers is sometimes inadequate or absent. The prevalence of active tuberculosis is high, particularly in PLH, and over 80 % of prisoners and prison personnel are latently infected. Mandatory HIV testing and subsequent segregation of HIV-infected prisoners increases the likelihood of tuberculosis acquisition and progression to active disease, amplifying the reservoir of infection for other prisoners. We discuss strategies to control these intersecting epidemics including screening linked to standardized treatment protocols for all three conditions, and effective transitional programs for released prisoners. For example, recently introduced evidence-based interventions in prisons like antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat HIV, isoniazid preventive therapy to treat latent tuberculosis infection, and methadone maintenance to treat opioid dependence, have markedly improved clinical care and reduced morbidity and mortality. Since introduction of these interventions in September 2012, all-cause and HIV-related mortality have decreased by 50.0 % and 75.7 %, respectively. We discuss the further deployment of these interventions in Malaysian prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel J Culbert
- Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Veena Pillai
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Joseph Bick
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Haider A Al-Darraji
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre for International Health, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jeffrey A Wickersham
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT, 06510-2283, USA
| | - Martin P Wegman
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alexander R Bazazi
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Yale University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Enrico Ferro
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT, 06510-2283, USA
| | - Michael Copenhaver
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Adeeba Kamarulzaman
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT, 06510-2283, USA.
- Yale University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
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7
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Southeast Asia in focus: stemming the reawakening of prohibitionism. J Int AIDS Soc 2016; 19:21279. [PMID: 27349912 PMCID: PMC4923264 DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.1.21279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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