Research
This report examined the drug and alcohol use of 72,561, 12 to 17 year olds over three years in the US. Apart from the order of substance preference the study makes interesting observations on ethnic group differences. Teen abusers reported average use of marijuana at 79 days in the last year, stimulants nearly 47 days, opioids about 39 days, and alcohol at nearly 36 days. Native American teens, followed by whites and Hispanics, all had higher alcohol use than African Americans or Asian teens. These last two groups also reported lower rates of drug use. The detailed picture is too complex to summarise here but makes interesting reading. For example, although heroin was little used it was the most likely to result in addiction or abuse. The full report is published in Archives of General Psychiatry.
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A large study for SAMSHA surveyed 67,500 people over 12 years of age, finding that teenagers whose parents drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol are significantly more likely to do the same. For example, 21.4% of teenagers living with a father who drove under the influence repeated the behaviour, compared with 8.4% of teens whose fathers did not engage in drugged or drunk driving.
“Parents play a key role in preventing drunk and drugged driving, beginning with setting a good example,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pam Hyde. “Parents who drink, or drug, and drive not only put their lives and the lives of others at immediate risk, but increase the likelihood that their children will follow down this destructive path.”
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Mike Ashton has reviewed this meta-analysis of studies examining anti-drug campaigns aimed at young people. We have covered this theme before, and although the overall conclusion suggests that past campaigns have been generally ineffective or even counter-productive, the authors do also note limitations of the studies reviewed. We have a related News story this month on the ineffectiveness of 'scare tactics' for impaired-driving campaigns in the USA.
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A study of 33,185 Italian 15–19 years olds found that being either overweight or underweight was likely to be associated with a 20-40% higher rate of illicit drug-use. The team, led by Sabrina Molinaro and Francesca Denoth, from the Italian National Research Council, found that abnormal weight and drug use had common underlying social, family and personal maladaptation in areas such as self-esteem, friendship, parental care and performance at school. The authors conclude that this common association of factors, 'underlines the need to better delineate an interdisciplinary approach involving individual-focused treatment models as well as public health, social and environmental change.'
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This study used neuropsychological testing, interviews, and MRI scans to examine gender-specific influences of binge drinking on memory. Results showed female teens to be particularly vulnerable to excessive alcohol, although boys also showed adverse effects. Youngsters in the binge drinking group were likely to have 4 or 5 drinks* in one session, but then nothing for several weeks, nor to use other drugs, a pattern typical for the general 16 to 19 years age group. Professor Edith Sullivan added that binge-drinking is dangerous for all youth. 'Long after a young person ... enjoys acute recovery from a hang-over, this study shows that risk to cognitive and brain functions endures.'
(* 1 US drink = 18ml pure alcohol)
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This research examined links between impulsivity and the gene NRXN3. Professor Scott Stoltenberg and team suggest that this link, more common among men than women, may help explain certain inclinations toward alcohol or drug dependence. Researchers were careful to not claim a perfect causal relationship, however, pointing out that impulsivity may interact with other factors such as sensitivity to alcohol or to anxiety, creating complex pathways to substance use problems.
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Ireland
Two EU funded FP7 projects, RICHIE (Research into Child Health in Europe) and CHICOS (Developing a Child Cohort Research Strategy for Europe) are the main organisers of the international 'Child Health Research, the Key to a Healthier European Society' conference that will aim to launch their reports and celebrate European child health research. Registration opens February 1st 2013 (fee expected to be under €250). Call for posters and presentations description submissions closes February 28th.
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News
Given the state of prescription drug abuse in the USA, many people working in the field of addiction and prevention have been concerned to hear that drug companies are developing a more powerful version of hydrocodone, America's second most abused drug. The article in Time Magazine's 'Healthland' publication goes on to review other key developments within prescription drug abuse.
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This brief article by Christina Lindgren of Cedarville University in Ohio is inspired by personal tragedy. She surveys some of the statistics and issues surrounding impaired driving and some of the counter-measures suggested in the US. Of particular interest are the author's views on the danger of using counter-productive scare tactics with young people. Lingren argues that young people deserve respect and more involvement in the educative process, a theme often rehearsed in the world of prevention.
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Stories of bizarre and dangerous ways of abusing alcohol hit the media periodically. Workers in the field of prevention need to be aware of these, but media stories are also likely to encourage youth experimentation. This item from The Boston Globe describes the insertion of vodka-soaked tampons into vaginas or rectums and eyeball shots. As our previous article in Prevention Update suggested, there is little evidence that these methods work more efficiently than simply drinking, but health risks can be great.
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This report from the Global Smart Programme is the third regional situation assessment for East and South-East Asia. The authors hope to, 'place policy-makers in a better position to evaluate the drug situation, and to make informed decisions on intervention and prevention strategies'.
Among other observations the report describes how international gangs from Iran and Africa are moving into into the booming SE Asian methamphetamine trade.
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The Washington Post recently drew attention to the relatively hidden but growing problem of prescription stimulant abuse among students. Abuse of drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall to aid study is common, but much harder to quantify and locate than the usual campus problems such as abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs. The article begins with the story of a girl suffering from ADHD selling her surplus Adderall medicine to friends as study aids for $5 to $10 each. In a related story, the American Medical Association has called for doctor training and wider use of screening tools to identify prescription drug abuse.
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This blog is as interesting for the subsequent comments as it is for the main premise. There's nothing quite like following a wide ranging debate over morning coffee! We welcome your comments.
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EMCDDA and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) have pledged to 'scale up' their cooperation by boosting joint work and technical cooperation to enhance understanding of long-term drug use trends in Europe. The project meeting was attended by representatives from 39 European countries. ESPAD data provide crucial information on substance use among 15- to 16-year-old school students and are routinely included in the EMCDDA’s annual report.
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Policy
The Council of the European Union has published the new EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 that aims to provide a common and evidence-based framework for responding to the drugs phenomenon within and outside the EU. Prevention is one of the priorities identified as part of the Strategy's drug demand reduction field. It places an emphasis on improving the availability and effectiveness of prevention programmes and raising awareness about the risk of the use of illicit drugs and other psychoactive substances. The Strategy also stresses the need to tackle challenges such as poly-drug use, prescribed drugs and new psychoactive substances. Prevention measures should include early detection and intervention, promotion of healthy lifestyles and targeted prevention.
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The US is looking for international support for anti-drug measures in Peru, where production of cocaine now surpasses that in neighbouring Columbia or Bolivia. It would appear that measures in one country push problems over borders. Europe consumes nearly as much cocaine as the USA. Most of the cocaine used in Australia and New Zealand comes from Peru.
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This ONCD bulletin summarises some of the Obama Administration's attempts to reform the US criminal justice system regarding drug abuse.
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Research backed by the Bonn based IDF found that traffic deaths fell by 9% in US states with medical marijuana laws. The most likely explanation appears to be that alcohol-related traffic deaths fell, together with a small decrease in alcohol consumption and small increase in marijuana consumption. The researchers conclude that marijuana is sometimes used as a partial replacement for alcohol. Not only is alcohol more dangerous for driving than marijuana, but the former is often consumed publicly and the latter at home. Furthermore, users of marijuana tend to be more aware of their intoxicated state than drinkers.
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Canada has adopted the country's first national low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines. Recommendations include:
- women should consume no more than two drinks* most days - up to 10 a week
- men no more than three drinks, up to 15 in a week
- every week should include non-drinking days
- no one should consume more than three (women) and four (men) drinks in one sitting.
Young people are advised to delay drinking until at least 'late teens', and the guidelines state that, 'Alcohol can harm the way your brain and body develop.' Reference is also made to alcohol monopoly, labelling plans and further advice.
(*A standard drink consists of one 341 ml bottle of 5% beer, 142 ml of 12% wine and 43 ml of spirits.)
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This Canadian article reviews alcohol policy developments from the mid-eighties to date in Sweden. The country is seen to have paid particular attention to alcohol consumption, advertising and availability, in attempts to keep the 'alcohol-attributable burden' low. An article from Sweden in Last month's Prevention Update placed northern nations at the top of Europe's North-South alcohol risk divide.
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This sociological study of identical and fraternal twins suggested that as fewer people smoke in the US then genetic factors become more important than many recent policy initiatives for those continuing to smoke. Researchers from the University of Colorado studied data for 596 pairs of twins between 1960 and 1980. 65% of identical twins gave up smoking if one twin quit compared to only 55% for fraternal twins. This might support the view of smoking more as an addiction requiring the employment of strategies such as nicotine-replacement and counselling.
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Only days after celebrating the death of the drug trade funded Marxist rebel leader Alfonso Cano, Colombian President Alfonso Santos urged world leaders to consider new approaches. In interviews prior to a European visit, President Santos said that Colombia has, 'a certain moral authority to discuss the issue' as it has suffered so badly. He pointed out that drug consumption in Europe and the USA is impacting disastrously on Colombia. Despite acknowledging his need to maintain armed operations against the drug trade, he also flags up his willingness to consider decriminalisation of marijuana and even cocaine. Last year's Report of the Global Commission on Drugs pointed out that many political leaders and public figures have privately stated similar views.
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Australia is leading the way with the world's first comprehensive law on plain tobacco packaging. The tobacco giant Philip Morris has immediately begun legal moves against the Australian Government. The Minister for Health and Ageing said, 'We know that packaging remains one of the last powerful marketing tools for tobacco companies to recruit new smokers to their deadly products. In the future, cigarette packets will serve only as a stark reminder of the devastating health effects of smoking.' A number of other governments are said to be closely monitoring this policy development.
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Statistics
This third UNICEF report focuses on drugs and alcohol. Among a variety of well presented and accessible data is the fact that drinking is a “taken-for-granted” activity amongst Ireland’s younger population. Also 28% took drugs compared with only 23% who smoked.
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Events
Two EU funded FP7 projects, RICHIE (Research into Child Health in Europe) and CHICOS (Developing a Child Cohort Research Strategy for Europe) are the main organisers of the international 'Child Health Research, the Key to a Healthier European Society' conference that will aim to launch their reports and celebrate European child health research. Registration opens February 1st 2013 (fee expected to be under €250). Call for posters and presentations description submissions closes February 28th.
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The 3rd Symposium on Substance Use and Abuse among University Students aims to give a platform to academics, educators and practitioners in exchanging research findings and best practices concerning alcohol and other drug use and abuse among university and college students in Europe. First confirmed keynote speaker is Dr Jennifer Bauerle, University of Virginia. Venue: University of Bradford, UK, 7th - 8th June 2012.
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Resources
Aimed at those working with young people apparently beyond rescue, this book aims to critically examine, 'the consequences of conformity and compliance-based interventions' and to help professionals support youth moving towards adulthood. Workers with young people are challenged to critically evaluate, 'their own biases and assumptions'.
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