Drug abuse, relapse, and prevention education in malaysia: perspective of university students through a mixed methods approach

A Geospatial Drug Abuse Risk Assessment and Monitoring Dashboard Tailored for School Students: Development Study With Requirement Analysis and Acceptance Evaluation

BACKGROUND

The enormous consequences of drugs include suicides, traffic accidents, and violence, affecting the individual, family, society, and country. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly identify and monitor the drug abuse rate among school-going youth. A geospatial dashboard is vital for the monitoring of drug abuse and related crime incidence in a decision support system.

OBJECTIVE

This paper mainly focuses on developing MyAsriGeo, a geospatial drug abuse risk assessment and monitoring dashboard tailored for school students. It introduces innovative functionality, seamlessly orchestrating the assessment of drug abuse usage patterns and risks using multivariate student data.

METHODS

A geospatial drug abuse dashboard for monitoring and analysis was designed and developed in this study based on agile methodology and prototyping. Using focus group and interviews, we first examined and gathered the requirements, feedback, and user approval of the MyAsriGeo dashboard. Experts and stakeholders such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency, police, the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning, school instructors, students, and researchers were among those who responded. A total of 20 specialists were involved in the requirement analysis and acceptance evaluation of the pilot and final version of the dashboard. The evaluation sought to identify various user acceptance aspects, such as ease of use and usefulness, for both the pilot and final versions, and 2 additional factors based on the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire and Task-Technology Fit models were enlisted to assess the interface quality and dashboard sufficiency for the final version.

RESULTS

The MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard was designed to meet the needs of all user types, as identified through a requirement gathering process. It includes several key functions, such as a geospatial map that shows the locations of high-risk areas for drug abuse, data on drug abuse among students, tools for assessing the risk of drug abuse in different areas, demographic information, and a self-problem test. It also includes the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test and its risk assessment to help users understand and interpret the results of student risk. The initial prototype and final version of the dashboard were evaluated by 20 experts, which revealed a significant improvement in the ease of use (P=.047) and usefulness (P=.02) factors and showed a high acceptance mean scores for ease of use (4.2), usefulness (4.46), interface quality (4.29), and sufficiency (4.13).

CONCLUSIONS

The MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard is useful for monitoring and analyzing drug abuse among school-going youth in Malaysia. It was developed based on the needs of various stakeholders and includes a range of functions. The dashboard was evaluated by a group of experts. Overall, the MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard is a valuable resource for helping stakeholders understand and respond to the issue of drug abuse among youth.

Ostracism Predicting Suicidal Behavior and Risk of Relapse in Substance Use Disorders

INTRODUCTION

The present study investigated the predictive relationship between ostracism and suicidal behaviors in individuals with substance use disorders. It also attempts to highlight the mediating role of the risk of relapse between ostracism and suicidal behavior.

METHODS

The study was based on a cross-sectional survey design. The sample comprised 100 men aged between 30 to 45 years (M = 35.25, SD = 3.06) from Karachi. The purposive sampling technique was employed. The study employed demographic forms and three self-reporting measures: the Ostracism Experience Scale (OES-A), the Advance Warning of Relapse Questionnaire 3.0 (AWARE), and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R).

RESULTS

Ostracism significantly predicted relapse risk and suicidal behavior. Risk of relapse positively predicted both dimensions of ostracism (ignored: r = 0.33, p < 0.01; excluded: r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and suicidal behavior (r = 0.35, p < 0.01). Additionally, the risk of relapse strongly correlated with overall ostracism score (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). However, no significant mediating effect of ostracism on suicidal behavior was found. The effect was mediated through the risk of relapse (B indirect = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.23). These findings suggest that ostracism increases the likelihood of recurrence, which in turn is associated with suicidal behavior. The mediation model explained 17% of the variation in suicidal behavior.

CONCLUSION

The findings propose the importance of addressing ostracism as a risk factor for suicidal behavior and relapse in substance use disorders. The results suggest that reducing the adverse effects of ostracism and improving social support for individuals can have a significant impact on their mental health.

Drug addictions in Malaysia: a mini-review on drug types, rehabilitation centers and therapeutic programs

Drug addiction remains one of the most complex social problems worldwide that has yet to be resolved. In Malaysia, abuse of various types of drugs has been reported which warrants the government to take immediate strategies in managing drug addicts. Despite implementing various strategies to treat drug addiction, statistics show the number of relapses continues to skyrocket over the years. This calls for urgent attention to improve the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment services in Malaysia. Moreover, emerging evidence shows a change in trend in the type of drug being abused. This factor could potentially contribute to the ineffectiveness of the strategies employed in the treatment of substance abuse. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the major types of drugs commonly abused in Malaysia. Additionally, in an effort to search for ways to improve the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment services, we identified the public institutions responsible for managing drug addicts in Malaysia and discussed the therapeutic programs offered at the institutions. Review findings support the need for future research on the effectiveness of these therapeutic programs and recommend the implementation of evidence-based programs to improve the effectiveness of substance abuse treatments in Malaysia.

The Implementation of Drug Abuse Rehabilitation to Prevent Relapse: A Systematic Literature Review

Rehabilitation is an integrated recovery program for individuals with drug abuse disorders. However, addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition. This study aims to explore how the implementation of rehabilitation programs can prevent relapse in individuals recovering from drug abuse. A systematic literature review methodology was employed in this study. Relevant literature was identified through electronic searches of valid databases using keywords related to drug rehabilitation and relapse prevention. The articles were retrieved and screened using the Watase UAKE website. Databases including MDPI, Frontiers Media, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, SAGE, OAMJMS, Mary Ann Liebert, BMC, Routledge, Springer, Emerald Insight, EASA, and Informa Healthcare were systematically searched using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), excluding meta-analysis, to obtain empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024. Out of the 489 articles collected, 27 were included in the analysis. The results showed that the successful implementation of drug rehabilitation programs is influenced by various factors, including intrinsic motivation, social support, and fulfillment of psychological needs during the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation programs can shift clients’ perspectives, enabling a better understanding of life’s values and meaning. This is essential for relapse prevention after rehabilitation. Additionally, relapse prevention programs play a critical role in enhancing the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts. While many factors contribute to relapse, therapeutic interventions are important for predicting retention in therapeutic communities for substance abuse treatment.

Ex-Drug Users' and Health Professionals' Perspectives About School-Based Drug Use Prevention Programs: A Qualitative Study

Adolescents have become a prime target for drug dealers in various countries around the world, including in Indonesia. To reduce the high number of drug users amongst adolescents, effective drug prevention programs should be developed and implemented. The present study aimed to identify effective school-based drug prevention programs for adolescents from the perspectives of former drug users and health professionals. This qualitative research used Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to collect the data. The study participants consisted of eight Ex-Drug Users (EDUs) and eight Health Professionals (HPs) from health educational institutions and health service settings that were selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed using the qualitative content analysis. Five themes were identified from both EDUs and HPs, including the negative effects of drugs, the socialization of drug abuse, the rehabilitation of drug addicts, the partner collaboration, and the obstacles in preventing drug use. All participants agreed that the drug prevention programs such as school-based drug prevention programs are necessary in order to minimize the adverse effects of drug use. While EDUs tended to focus on the social and psychological effects of drugs, the HPs were more inclined toward the risks of diseases, social impacts, and economic problems of the drugs as the reasons for program importance. In terms of the intervention programs, both EDUs and HPs proposed conducting socialization through the use of active methods and agreed that rehabilitation as an effective way for addict students. Also, both groups of participants agreed on the significance of internal and external support, as well as coordination and collaboration to produce an effective and quality program. While the EDUs cited external factors as the main obstacle to the success of program implementation, the HPs mentioned internal factors of the users. School-based drug prevention programs are an important and potentially effective strategy to reduce the use and the effects of drug use among adolescents. The support of various relevant stakeholders is needed to further increase the effectiveness of the programs and eliminate possible barriers to the implementation of the intervention programs.

The relationship between readiness for treatment of substance use and self-efficacy based on life skills

Substance use is a social harm. Promoting substance users readiness for treatment of substance use with a non-medical approach is important besides the medical approach. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between readiness for treatment of substance use and self-efficacy based on life skills. In this descriptive-analytical study, a number of 118 substance users in Hamadan city (Iran) were participated. The data collection tools were Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) and Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES). Analytical and descriptive tests were used for data analysis, at 95% significant level, using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16. The results of this study showed that the readiness for treatment of substance use had a significant relationship with the self-efficacy includes assertiveness and communication (Df:1; P_value<0.05). Self-efficacy based on life skills can be used to promote substance users readiness for treatment of substance use in educational interventions.

Malaysians' Preferences and Concerns Regarding Seeking Information About Illegal Drugs

A brief survey asked Malaysians if they had searched for information about illegal drugs and their thoughts about the information available. Two hundred and eighty participants from four states: Selangor, Penang, Malacca, and Johor filled out a paper-and-pencil survey including both multiple choice and open-ended written questions. Quantitative analyses of closed-ended, and thematic analyses of open-ended data indicated the following: Half of participants had, at some point, actively searched for information about drug use; 28% reported searching at least once per month. Participants generally (79%) preferred to obtain information online, but 62% also reported sharing and obtaining information about drugs in face-to-face interactions with friends and others. Concerns regarding the reliability of information, such as the presence of conflicting or contradictory messages from multiple sources, was a common theme in open ended responses. Of those who searched for information, about 70% reported desiring more detailed information about different drugs, in particular about their various side effects and risks. It is suggested that drug information campaigns, particularly those aimed at university students, might better focus on providing accurate, detailed information about the risks and other issues involved in various types of drug use, rather than one-size-fits-all messages. Given the varied and confusing nature of information already available, overly simplistic anti-drug messages may be ineffective, if not counterproductive.

Epidemics of HIV, HCV and syphilis infection among synthetic drugs only users, heroin-only users and poly-drug users in Southwest China

The number of poly-drug users who mix use heroin and synthetic drugs (SD) is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study is to measure the risk factors for being infected with hepatitis C (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis among SD-only users, heroin-only users and poly-drug users. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 from a national HIV surveillance site in Southwest China, 447 poly-drug, 526 SD-only and 318 heroin-only users were recruited. Poly-drug users have higher drug-use frequency, higher rates of drug-sharing and unsafe sexual acts than other users (p < 0.05). About a third (36.7%) of poly-drug users experienced sexual arousal due to drug effects, which is higher than the rate among other drug users. Poly-drug users had the highest prevalence of HIV (10.5%) and syphilis (3.6%), but heroin-only users had the highest prevalence of HCV (66.0%) (all p < 0.05) among three groups. Logistic regression shows among poly-drug users, having sex following drug consumption and using drugs ≥1/day were the major risk factors for both HIV (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.4, 95% CI [1.8–3.4]; 2.3, [1.6–3.1]) and syphilis infection (AOR = 4.1, [2.1–6.9]; 3.9, [1.8–5.4]). Elevated risk of both HIV and syphilis infection have been established among poly-drug users.