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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue

Time: 2:09 am

Results for drug abuse

45 results found

Author: Raes, Elke

Title: Drug Use, Impaired Driving and Traffic Accidents

Summary: This literature review provides a comprehensive report on the relationship between drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents. It covers methodological issues, presents results of prevalence surveys among drivers and provides an overview of findings from major international epidemiological surveys published since 1999. The report also gathers evidence from experimental and field studies of the relationship between drug use, driving impairment and traffic accidents.

Details: Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2008

Source: European Monitoring Cenre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)

Year: 2008

Country: Luxembourg

URL:

Shelf Number: 113306

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence
Drug Abuse
Traffic Offenses

Author: Hammond, Kate

Title: Drug Driving in New Zealand: A Survey of Community Attitudes, Experience and Understanding

Summary: This resarch involved a review of the literature around drugs and driving, in-depth interviews with 12 key experts from around New Zealand with knowledge and experience from drug and alcohol and/or road safety sectors, and an internet survey of 1164 New Zealanders. Each of these phases focused on issues around prevalence of drug driving; driver impairment associated with drug use, attitudes and perceptions towards drug driving, and ways to reduce driving under the influence of drugs.

Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Drug Foundation, 2009. 99p.

Source: Internet Resource

Year: 2009

Country: New Zealand

URL:

Shelf Number: 117302

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence (New Zealand)
Drug Abuse
Drug Driving
Drug Offenses
Drugs

Author: Open Society Institute, International Harm Reduction Development Program

Title: Detention as Treatment: Detention of Methamphetamine Users in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand

Summary: Methamphetamine use is a serious public health concern in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Despite having policies that recognize addiction as a health problem, these governments are increasingly using law enforcement approaches that treat drug users as criminals rather than patients. This report examines the growing use of detention as treatment for methamphetamine users in the three countries. It examines the policies and practices that force people to detention centers, documents abuses and human rights violations occuring in the centers, and discusses the overall implications for individual and public health.

Details: New York: Open Society Institute, 2010. 81p.

Source: Internet Resource

Year: 2010

Country: Asia

URL:

Shelf Number: 118619

Keywords:
Detention (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand)
Drug Abuse
Drug Addiction
Drug Offenders
Drugs
Human Rights
Methamphetamines ( Cambodia, Laos, Thailand)

Author: Burnet Institute

Title: Situational Analysis of Drug and Alcohol Issues and Responses in the Pacific 2008-09

Summary: This situational analysis focuses on the Pacific region, including both licit and illicit drug use. The assessment recognises the risks for drug-related crime as identified by international and regional law enforcement agencies for more than a decade. Information collected by enforcement organisations and networks suggests that illicit drugs are becoming an increasing concern in the region. More importantly, health and other community services have begun to highlight the social and economic costs of high levels of alcohol use as an area of increasing concern. The report provides considers recommendations for framing appropriate responses coordinated at the regional level, via regional and international coordinating mechanisms and donors.

Details: Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs, 2010. 275p.

Source: Internet Resource

Year: 2010

Country: International

URL:

Shelf Number: 119557

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Drug Abuse
Drug Control
Drug Trafficking
Drugs (Pacific Area)

Author: Wood, Darryl S.

Title: A Review of Research on Alcohol and Drug Use, Criminal Behavior, and the Criminal Justice System Response in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

Summary: This report considers research on the problem of crime resulting from alcohol and other drug abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. It provides a review of published research from a variety of disciplines and it includes re-analyses of a number of secondary data sources. Overall, our understanding of alcohol and other drug related crime in AI/AN communities is mixed: the degree to which AI/AN substance use – especially alcohol abuse – accompanies violent crime is fairly well established, while our knowledge about the criminal justice response and legal remedies to the problem is sorely deficient.

Details: Vancouver, WA: Washington State University Vancouver, Program in Public Affairs, 2009. 103p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/231348.pdf

Year: 2009

Country: United States

URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/231348.pdf

Shelf Number: 120879

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol Related Crime, Disorder
American Indians
Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse and Crime

Author: Bradford, Deborah

Title: An Analysis of Alcohol and Psycho-Stimulant Use from the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey

Summary: The aim of this paper is to examine what proportion of current alcohol consumers are also current consumers of psycho-stimulants in the Australian population. Using population survey data obtained from the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, this brief considers the proportion of alcohol drinkers who report recent consumption of amphetamines and cocaine. Among the sample of survey respondents 18 years and over results showed that the level of psychostimulant use was low among the population of alcohol consumers. This finding was evident even among those drinkers who reported drinking most frequently and in the most risky manner. For those respondents estimated to be at the highest risk for alcohol-related harm, only 12.9 per cent reported use of amphetamines and 8.6 per cent reported use of cocaine in the 12 months prior to the survey. These findings suggest that in the general population, concurrent use of alcohol and psycho-stimulants is likely to be low.

Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2010. 3p.

Source: Internet Resource: Bureau Brief: Issue Paper No. 53: Accessed April 4, 2011 at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/bb53.pdf/$file/bb53.pdf

Year: 2010

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/bb53.pdf/$file/bb53.pdf

Shelf Number: 121222

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse (Australia)
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Drug Abuse

Author: Compton, R.

Title: Drug-Impaired Driving: Understanding the Problem and Ways to Reduce It: A Report to Congress

Summary: The report summarizes a series of studies undertaken by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to acquire the information needed to address the general problem of drug-impaired driving. The report describes the research conducted on prevention, detection, and prosecution of driving under the influence of drugs; issues associated with determining what drugs impair driving; difficulties in relating blood levels of drugs and impairment; lack of information about what drugs are frequently used by drivers and what drugs elevate crash risk; problems in obtaining representative data about current enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication of drug-impaired driving; training for law enforcement officers in recognizing drug-impaired drivers; review of drug-impaired driving laws; and what is known about the role of drugs as causal factors in traffic crashes. It highlights the need for further research and concludes with recommendations to better address the problem of drug-impaired driving.

Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009. 28p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 10, 2011 at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811268.pdf

Year: 2009

Country: United States

URL: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811268.pdf

Shelf Number: 121698

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving
Drugs and Driving

Author: Neale, Joanne

Title: Recreational Drug Use and Driving: A Qualitative Study

Summary: The behaviour of individuals who drive whilst under the influence of illegal drugs is now a major concern in many countries. This has generated a large amount of epidemiological and experimental research examining various aspects of drug-driving behaviour. Within Scotland, however, there has been a lack of information on the nature and extent of the drug-driving problem. Responding to this gap in knowledge, the Scottish Executive (in association with the Scottish Road Safety Campaign) commissioned a programme of research to examine both quantitative and qualitative aspects of recreational drug-driving. A national household survey by System Three Social Research has provided quantitative information on the prevalence of this behaviour among 17-39 year-old drivers in Scotland. The research reported here complements this survey by providing more in-depth qualitative information on the links between recreational drug use and driving.

Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Central Research Unit, 2000. 103p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2011 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/156503/0042020.pdf

Year: 2000

Country: United Kingdom

URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/156503/0042020.pdf

Shelf Number: 121784

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving (Scotland)
Drugs and Driving

Author: Gemmell, Colin

Title: Literature Review on the Relation between Drug Use, Impaired Driving and Traffic Accidents

Summary: The health consequences of drug use are a priority area for the EMCDDA and impaired driving and road traffic accidents linked to drugs constitute an important topic on which comprehensive information is lacking. The literature review addressed inter alia the relationship between different patterns of drug consumption, impaired driving and traffic accidents. In addition drug testing procedures and associated legislation regarding drug-impaired driving in the different EU Member States were described and the issues raised by such testing reviewed. The outcomes of the study included a scientific literature review and annotated bibliography on the relation between drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents.

Details: Lisbon: EMCDDA, 1999. 96p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index58070EN.html

Year: 1999

Country: Europe

URL: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index58070EN.html

Shelf Number: 121787

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving (Europe)
Drugs and Driving
Traffic Accidents

Author: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Title: Drugs and Driving: Detection and Deterrence

Summary: Driving while impaired by drugs – whether licit or illicit – has emerged as an important road safety issue. This report provides a state-of-the-art review of the role and impact of drugs in road accident risk. It reviews the legislation, deterrence and roadside detection practices in member countries as well as preventative measures to combat drug use while driving. The report first discusses the scientific evidence that provides the basis for understanding drug effects on driving performance, provides an assessment of the pharmacological effects in relation to driving skills and documents the relationship between blood toxicology findings and impairment. It then presents the evidence from studies that have examined the frequency of driving after drug use and the incidence of drugs among drivers involved in crashes and assesses the risks associated with driving after using drugs. It provides a review and discussion of legislative and enforcement policies and practices in OECD/ITF countries and of the prevention initiatives. Finally it draws conclusions about the role of drugs in traffic and identifies leading practices for controlling/preventing the behaviour based on the evidence presented.

Details: Paris: OECD Publishing, 2010. 115p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/fulltext/7710011e.pdf?expires=1306236897&id=id&accname=oid006203&checksum=71EE1FD0E45A16DCE930B61E1BF2F086

Year: 2010

Country: International

URL: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/fulltext/7710011e.pdf?expires=1306236897&id=id&accname=oid006203&checksum=71EE1FD0E45A16DCE930B61E1BF2F086

Shelf Number: 121788

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving
Drugs and Driving

Author: Fell, James C.

Title: A Guide for Statewide Impaired-Driving Task Forces

Summary: The purpose of the guide is to assist State officials and other stakeholders who are interested in establishing an Impaired-Driving Statewide Task Force or who are exploring ways to improve their current Task Force. The guide addresses issues such as (a) how to initiate a successful Task Force, (2) how to select the Task Force membership, (3) how to keep the membership involved, (4) how to select problem areas to work on, (5) how to use various strategies to solve problems, and (6) how to avoid potential pitfalls and obstacles that confront Task Forces. The appendices provide a series of useful documents for reference, such as brief descriptions of existing Task Forces, sample meeting agendas and meeting minutes, and sample Task Force recommendations. Some of the statewide Task Forces have been extremely effective in developing key legislation at the State level (that is later adopted) and in closing loopholes in their impaired-driving laws, enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication procedures. Others have addressed institutional changes such as developing better record-keeping systems or creating active communication between key agencies and stakeholders. Task Force efforts have addressed legislative issues, enforcement strategies, criminal justice processing changes, improvements in sentencing procedures, the treatment of DUI/DWI offenders, and initiatives for curbing underage drinking. By learning from the experience of others, those wishing to develop or augment statewide Task Forces can enhance the process and avoid "reinventing the wheel."

Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009. 80p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/31000/31300/31303/5663_Impaired_Driving_Task_Force_Guide-tagged.pdf

Year: 2009

Country: United States

URL: http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/31000/31300/31303/5663_Impaired_Driving_Task_Force_Guide-tagged.pdf

Shelf Number: 121789

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving
Drugs and Driving

Author: Traffic Injury Research Foundation

Title: Drugs and Driving: A Compendium of Research Studies

Summary: It is clear that drug-impaired driving is a serious, wide-spread problem that requires effective responses. There is a broad spectrum of options, from strictly preventative to strictly punitive approaches. As seen in relation to alcohol-impaired driving, it is likely that a combination of both preventative and punitive responses provides the best results. Nevertheless, this annotated bibliography focuses on studies pertaining to identification and to prosecution of drug-impaired driving. Moreover it concentrates on studies about drug-impaired, rather than alcohol-impaired, driving. As described in the section that follows, there have been a substantial number of studies relating to drug-impaired driving worldwide. However, there has been a paucity of research that brings together data from these various sources. Assessment of the merits of proposed legislative changes in the future and identification of alternative options will require up-to-date knowledge of current literature pertaining to drug-impaired driving. This annotated bibliography attempts to meet these needs. Its objective is to provide a listing of drug-impaired driving research published in English, since 1999. Qualitative and quantitative research, relevant surveys and other materials pertaining to drug-impaired driving are included among its listings.

Details: Ottawa: Department of Justice Canada, 2007. 89p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/collection_2009/justice/J3-2-2006-8E.pdf

Year: 2007

Country: International

URL: http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/collection_2009/justice/J3-2-2006-8E.pdf

Shelf Number: 121790

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving

Author: Ormston, Rachel

Title: Evaluation of the Drug Driving TV Advert

Summary: This report presents the findings of research evaluating a recent TV advert aimed at discouraging people from driving under the influence of drugs (‘drug driving’). The evaluation was carried out by NFO Social Research on behalf of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Road Safety Campaign between July and September 2002. The research consisted of three elements. Firstly, questions were included in the Scottish Opinion Survey (SOS) in June 2002 to establish baseline levels of awareness and understanding of the advert. Secondly, a separate survey of Scottish drivers was carried out between late July and early September 2002 to provide more detailed data on reactions to the advert and on individual experiences of drug driving. Finally, a series of qualitative interviews, including both paired depth interviews and peer focus groups, were carried out with 17-24 year-olds in September 2002 to explore attitudes towards the advert in more detail.

Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Social Research, 2003. 45p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47032/0013895.pdf

Year: 2003

Country: United Kingdom

URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47032/0013895.pdf

Shelf Number: 121791

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving (Scotland)
Drugs and Driving
Publicity Campaigns

Author: Mallick, Jane

Title: Drugs and Driving in Australia: A Survey of Community Attitudes, Experience and Understanding

Summary: Australian efforts to increase road safety, such as initiatives targeting drink driving, speeding and the use of seat belts, have seen considerable reductions in road trauma in the past 30 years. There is recent evidence to suggest that drugs other than alcohol, both licit (for example, pharmaceutical drugs) and illicit (for example, cannabis, methamphetamines and ecstasy) are associated with impaired driving ability and, thus, road trauma. There remain, however, many questions regarding drug driving in Australia. For instance, little is known about the prevalence of drug driving within the general population, or about the attitudes and perceptions of drivers in relation to drug driving. Such information is important to inform the development of effective prevention and road safety countermeasures. Further, although much of the previous research, policy and media attention have focused on illicit drugs, there is increasing evidence that pharmaceutical drugs impair driving ability and thus may be a road safety concern. There is, however, little information regarding the prevalence of driving following pharmaceutical drug use and the community’s attitudes and perceptions towards the use of such drugs and driving. It was the aim of this research to address some of the gaps in the knowledge by exploring the Australian community’s attitudes, experience and understanding of drugs and driving, in relation to alcohol, illicit drugs and pharmaceutical drugs. The ultimate aim was to inform the development of effective policy, and information and education campaigns, targeting drug driving. The research consisted of three stages: a review of the literature regarding drug driving; in-depth interviews with 20 key stakeholders from the Australian drug and alcohol and/or road safety sectors; and an Internet survey of Australian drivers (N=6801). The focus of the data collected from these three sources was on the prevalence of drug driving in Australia; the driving impairment associated with drug use; the attitudes and perceptions of drivers towards drugs and driving; and the road safety countermeasures adopted to address drugs and driving.

Details: Melbourne, Australia: Australian Drug Foundation, 2007. 104p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/attachments/400_Drugs_and_Driving_in_Australia_fullreport.pdf

Year: 2007

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/attachments/400_Drugs_and_Driving_in_Australia_fullreport.pdf

Shelf Number: 121792

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drugged Driving (Australia)
Drugs and Driving
Public Opinion

Author: Lacey, John H.

Title: 2007 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers: Drug Results

Summary: This report presents the first national prevalence estimates for drug-involved driving derived from the recently completed 2007 National Roadside Survey (NRS). The NRS is a national field survey of alcohol- and drug-involved driving conducted primarily among nighttime weekend drivers, but also daytime Friday drivers. The survey involved randomly stopping drivers at 300 locations across the continental United States; sites were selected through a stratified random sampling procedure. This included data that we collected during a two-hour Friday daytime session at 60 locations and during four 2-hour nighttime periods (10:00 p.m. to midnight and 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday) at 240 locations. Both self-report and biological measures were taken. Biological measures included breath alcohol measurements on 9,413 respondents, oral fluid from 7,719 respondents, and blood samples from 3,276 respondents. Oral fluid and blood samples were subjected to laboratory screening and LC/MS-MS and GC/MS confirmation for 75 drugs and metabolites, including illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs. These data were analyzed to develop the first national prevalence estimate of alcohol- and drug-involved driving. Two prior reports on the 2007 NRS described: (1) the sampling plan and data collection methodology, summarizing the response patterns to the various stages of the multi-part survey; and (2) the prevalence estimates for alcohol-involved driving derived from the study, and comparing them with the three previous National Roadside Surveys (NRS).

Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009. 148p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/811249.pdf

Year: 2009

Country: United States

URL: http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/811249.pdf

Shelf Number: 121793

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drugged Driving
Drugs and Driving

Author: Oliver, J.S.

Title: Monitoring the Effectiveness of UK Field Impairment Tests

Summary: The Field Impairment Test (FIT) is used by UK police officers at the roadside. It aids the officer in the decision to arrest a driver stopped because of observed impairment of driving, and who, during the interaction with the officer, raised suspicion that drug use may be the cause. Under these conditions, the driver may be asked to perform the test, and if performance is unsatisfactory the officer may decide to arrest a driver on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs. After such an arrest, enforcement procedures require the driver to be brought into a police station to be seen by a Forensic Medical Examiner (FME). If the FME certifies that the driver’s condition may be due to drink or drugs, a biological sample is obtained from the driver for drug analysis. This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of FIT. In part, this was achieved by assessing the level of concordance between police officers’ judgements at the roadside following the use of FIT and the results of drug analysis of biological samples obtained from drivers. In addition oral fluid was obtained on a voluntary basis from drivers who were released at the roadside following the use of FIT. The contribution of each component of FIT to the correct identification of drivers impaired by drugs was also assessed, and additionally, the nature and extent of drug use in this group of drivers was recorded. The performance of FIT as part of the police enforcement process was judged against an objective measure: the presence of drugs in the biological specimens (blood, urine or oral fluid) obtained from drivers who had been assessed by FIT. The majority of biological samples from those arrested were blood, and all specimens from those released at the roadside were oral fluid. While the mere presence of drugs in blood or oral fluid does not indicate impairment per se, the occurrence of toxicologically significant concentrations of drugs supports the presumption of impairment when supported by the officer’s record of impaired driving. The analysis in this study was based on information from a database set up to record the results of the FIT tests carried out by the 22 participating police forces and the results of laboratory analysis of biological specimens for cases proceeding under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act. Additional information was obtained from supplementary forms completed during FIT by the officer and from analysis of oral fluid specimens voluntarily donated by the drivers who were stopped but not arrested at the roadside, and therefore assumed to be not impaired through drugs. In total, 991 appropriate cases were reported during the study period. Of these, 334 cases had the information required for the evaluation process (performance in FIT and the presence or absence of drugs in biological samples). For these cases the information was used to calculate the sensitivity (the proportion of true positive cases detected), specificity (the proportion of true negative cases detected) and accuracy (the proportion of cases that were correctly diagnosed in the study sample). The study results demonstrate that oral fluid can be used to identify drugs in drivers. Donation and collection of oral fluid specimens presented no operational hazard to police officers and was acceptable to drivers, including those who were drug positive. From the results obtained from the analysis of blood, urine and oral fluid, the nature and extent of drug use by drivers was found to be similar throughout the study areas, and reflected drugs misuse rather than the therapeutic usage of prescribed medicines. In relation to the use of FIT, the assessment of impairment by a police officer using the test was supported by the clinical examination performed by the FME in 77% of the cases. Biological samples were received and analysed in only 65% of this group but significant drug use was confirmed in 94% of them. Consequently, where there is initial suspicion of drug impaired driving supported by the use of FIT and the medical investigation, the procedure as a whole has demonstrated a high positive predictive value (94%). Overall, the roadside application of FIT demonstrated a sensitivity of 65%, a specificity of 77% and an accuracy of 66%, meaning that FIT identifies the majority of drug positive and drug negative cases. Consequently, FIT in its current form is useable for screening purposes. However, further development is required to improve its performance. The drug recognition skills of the police officers were generally good. Within the battery of tests that forms FIT, the pupillary examination contributed very little. Despite the positive results described above, there were several areas of concern. We were unable to obtain biological specimens from drivers where the FME did not corroborate the opinion of the arresting officer (23% of cases). From the significant number of drug positive cases found from the analysis of oral fluid provided by drivers released by the police officer prior to the involvement of the FME, there is concern that in these disputed cases there might be a high number of drug positives. Additionally, although we had only a small number of specimens volunteered at the roadside by those who were stopped but were judged to be unimpaired by the police officer, a significant number of these were drug positive (71%). This is of some concern as the majority of drugs detected in these specimens were indicative of drug misuse. This highlights the possibility that the current roadside procedure is not sensitive enough to detect all those impaired through drugs, or that there is a possible training issue for the police officer or that driver tolerance to the effects of the drug may explain this finding. Finally, there is no absolute definition of driving impairment nor is there an objective, validated method by which driving impairment (and FIT) can be assessed.

Details: London: Department for Transport, 2006. 62p.

Source: Internet Resource: Road Safety Research Report No. 63: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme3/monitoringtheeffectiveness.pdf

Year: 2006

Country: United Kingdom

URL: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme3/monitoringtheeffectiveness.pdf

Shelf Number: 121794

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving (U.K.)
Drugs and Driving

Author: DuPont, Robert L.

Title: Drugged Driving Research: A White Paper

Summary: Drugged driving is a significant public health and public safety problem in the United States and abroad, as documented through a growing body of research. Among the research conducted in the US is the 2009 finding that 33% of fatally injured drivers with known drug test results were positive for drugs other than alcohol. Among randomly stopped weekend nighttime drivers who provided oral fluid and/or blood specimens in 2007, 16.3% were positive for drugs. While these and other emerging data demonstrate the drugged driving problem, the US has lagged behind other nations in both drugged driving research and enforcement. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) 2010 National Drug Control Strategy established as a priority reducing drugged driving in the United States. To achieve the Strategy’s goal of reducing drugged driving by 10% by 2015, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) enlisted the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. (IBH) to review the current state of knowledge about drugged driving and to develop a comprehensive research plan for future research that would hold the promise of making a significant impact by 2015. IBH convened an expert committee to develop this report. Committee members included top leaders across a broad spectrum of related disciplines including research, public policy, enforcement and law.

Details: Rockville, MD: Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., 2011. 62p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 27, 2011 at: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/nida_dd_paper.pdf

Year: 2011

Country: United States

URL: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/nida_dd_paper.pdf

Shelf Number: 121829

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving (U.S.)
Drugs and Driving

Author: Jones, R.K.

Title: State of Knowledge of Drug-Impaired Driving

Summary: This is the final report of a project entitled "State of Knowledge of Drug-Impaired Driving." The project was conducted by Mid-America Research Institute, Inc., of New England for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). David Shinar of Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and J. Michael Walsh of The Walsh Group, Bethesda, Maryland, made significant contributions. This review examines research published during the 1981-2001 period and references some of the earlier material contained in prior reviews. The scope of the review included foreign as well as U.S. literature with a direct bearing on highway safety. The review emphasizes controlled substances to include marijuana, benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine sedative and hypnotic drugs, and others such as amphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogens, and narcotic drugs. However, research related to any other drugs having the potential to significantly impair driving is also included in the review. Applicable research conducted in foreign countries, and documented in the English language, is included. This report is presented in six substantive chapters. Chapter 2 contains a description of the methods followed in determining the topics and issues of concern in the review, identifying, acquiring and screening the documents to be reviewed, and reviewing individual documents. Chapter 3 deals with research pertinent to the detection and measurement of drugs in drivers, and Chapter 4 reviews the experimental literature, including research conducted in a laboratory testing human performance on tasks believed to be related to driving, and research conducted either in a driving simulator or on a closed course testing performance in actual driving tasks. In Chapter 5, we examine literature flowing from epidemiologic studies of drugs and traffic crashes, including literature on the drug use of various subgroups of drivers such as drivers arrested for drunk driving or "drugged" driving. Chapter 6 deals with literature on countermeasures for drug-impaired driving, and Chapter 7 presents our conclusions and recommendations. An index of terms and a bibliographic listing of references follow at the end of the report. Our conclusions and recommendations are organized by the four major types of scientific literature examined in the review, namely: Detection and measurement of drugs in drivers, Experimental research on the effects of drugs on performance of driving-related tasks. Epidemiologic research on the drugs in driving populations, including drivers in crashes, on-the-road drivers not in crashes, and drivers suspected or convicted of drug-impaired driving. Research on countermeasures for drug-impaired driving. The conclusions and recommendations are presented below. Examples of documents supporting the specific conclusions are cited, and cross references to pages of this report discussing more general conclusions are provided.

Details: Washington, D.C. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2003. 120p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2011 at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/StateofKnwlegeDrugs/StateofKnwlegeDrugs/index.html

Year: 2003

Country: United States

URL: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/StateofKnwlegeDrugs/StateofKnwlegeDrugs/index.html

Shelf Number: 121899

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugged Driving
Drugs and Driving

Author: Belfast Drug and Alcohol Working Group

Title: Scoping Report on Drugs and Alcohol Services in Belfast

Summary: This report presents a substantial insight into the current situation in relation to drugs and alcohol use and more importantly, it gives an overview of service provision currently in place to tackle substance misuse in the Belfast area. The drive behind this scoping report began in late 2009 when a number of community and statutory sector individuals came together to voice their concerns, especially in a North Belfast context, around drug and alcohol issues impacting on local communities and the need for a more Belfast-focussed co-ordinated approach. This small group felt it was timely to take an innovative Belfast-wide approach to this area of work. Initial meetings were held with John McGeown, Assistant Director of Mental Health Services in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust; Billy Hutchinson of Mount Vernon Community Development Association; Frances Black and Brian Allen of the RISE Foundation and Mary Black, Assistant Director of Public Health, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement in the Public Health Agency along with Irene Sherry from the Bridge of Hope in order to consider the issues facing agencies in Belfast. However, it soon became clear that more stakeholders should be invited to participate in order to ensure a fully inclusive collective approach was adopted. Throughout 2010 representatives from a number of key statutory organisations and community/ voluntary providers met to undertake an initial scoping exercise. From this initial analysis, it was clear that there was a lot of work being funded or commissioned but that awareness of services and, more importantly, linking up of service provision was not always in place or as effective as it needed to be. With this in mind the group agreed that it would be worthwhile to spend some time looking at the gaps and issues locally and analyse the situation with a view to creating an overview report with recommendations for consideration, primarily by the Public Health Agency and the Eastern Drugs and Alcohol Coordination Team, but also by other statutory agencies with a responsibility for, or interest in, addressing drugs and alcohol misuse. Our recommendations focus on longer term planning and more cohesive partnership working as well as simplifying access to and participation in existing service provision. It is acknowledged that whilst many agencies are delivering services in this area, there is a lack of awareness of provision both within the health and social care sector itself and outside in the wider community/voluntary sector. Our recommendations focus on longer term planning and more cohesive partnership working as well as simplifying access to and participation in existing service provision. It is acknowledged that whilst many agencies are delivering services in this area, there is a lack of awareness of provision both within the health and social care sector itself and outside in the wider community/voluntary sector.

Details: Belfast: Public Health Agency, 2011. 96p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 29, 2011 at: http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/16010/1/Scoping_Belfast.pdf

Year: 2011

Country: United Kingdom

URL: http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/16010/1/Scoping_Belfast.pdf

Shelf Number: 123172

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse (Belfast)
Alcohol Related Crime, Disorder
Alcohol Treatment Programs
Drug Abuse
Drug Treatment
Health Care

Author: Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force

Title: Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force Final Report: Task Force Recommendations

Summary: On April 2, 2010, Governor Ted Strickland signed Executive Order 2010-4S, establishing the Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (the “Task Force”). The Task Force was created to develop a coordinated and comprehensive approach to Ohio’s prescription drug abuse epidemic. The group was comprised of 33 members with a wide range of professional backgrounds and perspectives, including: state and local public health officials, health provider board and association representatives, state and local law enforcement, local government officials, state agency representatives and legislators. The Task Force was charged with meeting regularly to develop and recommend potential remedies to the growing misuse and abuse of prescription drugs in Ohio. Due to the urgency of this problem, the Task Force was required to submit an initial progress report to the Governor and the leaders of the Ohio General Assembly by May 17, 2010. The progress report included initial recommendations encouraging support for community education efforts (i.e. drug take back programs and social marketing campaigns) and charged the Task Force Work Groups to explore and identify potential solutions for the Task Force Final Report. Since the submission of the initial progress report, the Task Force and its Work Groups met frequently and have developed 20 recommendations. In order to ensure the state’s approach is both multifaceted and comprehensive, the recommendations address issues related to treatment, law enforcement, public health and regulation. In accordance with Executive Order 2010-4S, and in support of the Governor’s mission to reduce prescription drug abuse in Ohio, the Task Force hereby issues this final report.

Details: Columbus: The Task Force, 2010. 75p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 7, 2011 at: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/ASSETS/895B95C591534F7A82A815A69A00011E/OPDATF%20final%20report.pdf

Year: 2010

Country: United States

URL: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/ASSETS/895B95C591534F7A82A815A69A00011E/OPDATF%20final%20report.pdf

Shelf Number: 123254

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Prescription Drug Abuse (Ohio)
Prescription Fraud

Author: Drug Abuse Warning Network

Title: Emergency Department Visits Involving Illicit Drug Use among Males

Summary: The use of illicit drugs (e.g., marijuana, heroin, and cocaine) may lead to serious health issues such as unintentional injuries, car accidents, and overdoses that may require acute emergency care. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data show that 1 in 10 males aged 12 or older reported past month illicit drug use in 2009, compared with 1 in 15 females. The same data show that males were also more likely than females to be past month users of marijuana (8.6 vs. 4.8 percent), the use of which has been found to contribute to traffic accidents and other injuries. The higher illicit drug rates for males suggests that negative consequences associated with illicit drug use, such as emergency department (ED) visits, may be disproportionately found among males. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a public health surveillance system that monitors drug-related ED visits in the United States. To be a DAWN case, an ED visit must have involved a drug, either as the direct cause of the visit or as a contributing factor. Data are collected on numerous illicit drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and stimulants (i.e., amphetamines and methamphetamines). This issue of The DAWN Report focuses on ED visits involving illicit drug use among males. Data for 2004 to 2009 are presented, both as trends over time and also as annual averages for the 6-year period. Illicit drug use among females is covered in a separate report.

Details: Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011. 6p.

Source: The DAWN Report, DAWN_017: Internet Resource: Accessed March 4, 2012 at

Year: 2011

Country: United States

URL:

Shelf Number: 124381

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Illicit Drugs
Males 00 Injury
Medical Care

Author: Blumenschien, Karen

Title: Review of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs in the United States

Summary: Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) collect prescription data on medications classified as federal controlled substances. The information is stored in a central database and can be accessed by authorized users. Although programmatic details differ among states, in general, all PDMPs are designed to assist in detecting and preventing abuse, misuse, and diversion of controlled substances. Specifically, programs are targeted toward reducing the incidence of ‘doctor shopping’ which occurs when patients see multiple providers and pharmacies with the intent of obtaining controlled substances for misuse and/or diversion. Health care professionals who prescribe or dispense controlled substances can access PDMP databases with increasing ease and efficiency. Since the advent of electronic prescription drug monitoring systems, access can occur at the point of care and can assist prescribers and dispensers in making treatment decisions. Patients’ reported use of scheduled medications can be confirmed by accessing PDMP reports, allowing prescribers and dispensers to detect individuals who may be feigning illnesses in an effort to acquire drugs for the purpose of abuse or diversion. The term prescriber as used in this report includes physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals authorized to prescribe controlled substances; the term dispenser refers to those individuals who dispense controlled substances, the vast majority of whom are community pharmacists. In addition to prescribers and dispensers, most states allow regulatory and law enforcement agencies involved in drug-related investigations to access PDMP databases, enabling them to more efficiently collect and analyze data that may be useful in identifying those individuals involved in illegal trafficking or misuse of prescription drugs.

Details: Lexington, KY: Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 2010. 28p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 6, 2012 at http://chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/85989824-1030-4AA6-91E1-7F9E3EF68827/0/KASPEREvaluationPDMPStatusFinalReport6242010.pdf

Year: 2010

Country: United States

URL: http://chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/85989824-1030-4AA6-91E1-7F9E3EF68827/0/KASPEREvaluationPDMPStatusFinalReport6242010.pdf

Shelf Number: 124385

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Drug Control
Prescription Drugs

Author: Bretteville-Jensen, Anne Line

Title: Decriminalization and Initiation into Cannabis Use

Summary: The central question faced by policy makers contemplating decriminalization of cannabis is whether such a move will lead to an increase in use, and if so, by whom and by how much. We address this question by investigating the impact of decriminalization on the decision to start using cannabis. Our analysis is based on individual level information from a general population in Australia. Australia provides an interesting case study for examining this issue because it has decriminalized the use of cannabis in half of its states and territories. In modeling cannabis uptake, we use a discrete-time hazard model and account for unobserved dierences between states that decriminalize and those that do not. We find that decriminalizing cannabis shifts the age distribution of uptake towards younger age groups while leaving the proportion of those who will start using cannabis unchanged. This suggests that decriminalization effects when individuals start using cannabis, rather than whether or not they start.

Details: Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Department of Economics, 2011. 34p.

Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper Series; Research Paper Number 1130: Accessed April 30, 2012 at: http://www.economics.unimelb.edu.au/MicroEco/downloads/decriminalization%20and%20initiation%20into%20cannabis%20use.pdf

Year: 2011

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.economics.unimelb.edu.au/MicroEco/downloads/decriminalization%20and%20initiation%20into%20cannabis%20use.pdf

Shelf Number: 125101

Keywords:
Cannabis
Drug Abuse
Drug Policy (Australia)
Marijuana Decriminalization

Author: Greenwald, Glenn

Title: Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: Lessons for Creating Fair and Successful Drug Policies

Summary: On July 1, 2001, a nationwide law in Portugal took effect that decriminalized all drugs, including cocaine and heroin. Under the new legal framework, all drugs were “decriminalized,” not “legalized.” Thus, drug possession for personal use and drug usage itself are still legally prohibited, but violations of those prohibitions are deemed to be exclusively administrative violations and are removed completely from the criminal realm. Drug trafficking continues to be prosecuted as a criminal offense. While other states in the European Union have developed various forms of de facto decriminalization— whereby substances perceived to be less serious (such as cannabis) rarely lead to criminal prosecution—Portugal remains the only EU member state with a law explicitly declaring drugs to be “decriminalized.” Because more than seven years have now elapsed since enactment of Portugal’s decriminalization system, there are ample data enabling its effects to be assessed. Notably, decriminalization has become increasingly popular in Portugal since 2001. Except for some far-right politicians, very few domestic political factions are agitating for a repeal of the 2001 law. And while there is a widespread perception that bureaucratic changes need to be made to Portugal’s decriminalization framework to make it more efficient and effective, there is no real debate about whether drugs should once again be criminalized. More significantly, none of the nightmare scenarios touted by preenactment decriminalization opponents— from rampant increases in drug usage among the young to the transformation of Lisbon into a haven for “drug tourists”—has occurred. The political consensus in favor of decriminalization is unsurprising in light of the relevant empirical data. Those data indicate that decriminalization has had no adverse effect on drug usage rates in Portugal, which, in numerous categories, are now among the lowest in the EU, particularly when compared with states with stringent criminalization regimes. Although postdecriminalization usage rates have remained roughly the same or even decreased slightly when compared with other EU states, drug-related pathologies—such as sexually transmitted diseases and deaths due to drug usage—have decreased dramatically. Drug policy experts attribute those positive trends to the enhanced ability of the Portuguese government to offer treatment programs to its citizens—enhancements made possible, for numerous reasons, by decriminalization. This report will begin with an examination of the Portuguese decriminalization framework as set forth in law and in terms of how it functions in practice. Also examined is the political climate in Portugal both pre- and postdecriminalization with regard to drug policy, and the impetus that led that nation to adopt decriminalization. The report then assesses Portuguese drug policy in the context of the EU’s approach to drugs. The varying legal frameworks, as well as the overall trend toward liberalization, are examined to enable a meaningful comparative assessment between Portuguese data and data from other EU states. The report also sets forth the data concerning drug-related trends in Portugal both pre- and postdecriminalization. The effects of decriminalization in Portugal are examined both in absolute terms and in comparisons with other states that continue to criminalize drugs, particularly within the EU. The data show that, judged by virtually every metric, the Portuguese decriminalization framework has been a resounding success. Within this success lie self-evident lessons that should guide drug policy debates around the world.

Details: Washington, DC: Cato Institute, 2009. 38p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2012 at: http://www.cato.org/pubs/wtpapers/greenwald_whitepaper.pdf

Year: 2009

Country: Portugal

URL: http://www.cato.org/pubs/wtpapers/greenwald_whitepaper.pdf

Shelf Number: 125102

Keywords:
Decriminalization
Drug Abuse
Drug Policy (Portugal)
Drug Reform

Author: Hakim, Peter

Title: Rethinking US Drug Policy

Summary: Most Americans believe that their country’s forty-year “war on drugs” has failed. Yet, instead of a serious national discussion of how to reform US drug control strategies, there remains a silent tolerance of ineffective, socially harmful laws, institutions, and policies. What is most needed now is a farreaching debate on alternative approaches that could reduce the risks and damage from the trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs. That was also the conclusion of a highly-regarded report prepared by a distinguished group of Latin American presidents and other leaders. This Inter-American Dialogue report proposes six US government initiatives that would set the stage for a thorough rethinking of US drug policy.

Details: Washington, DC: Inter-American Dialogue, The Beckley Foundation, 2011. 24p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2012 at http://www.seguridadcondemocracia.org/administrador_de_carpetas/OCO-IM/pdf/Rethinking_US_Drug_Policy_feb2011.pdf

Year: 2011

Country: United States

URL: http://www.seguridadcondemocracia.org/administrador_de_carpetas/OCO-IM/pdf/Rethinking_US_Drug_Policy_feb2011.pdf

Shelf Number: 125206

Keywords:
Criminal Justice Administration
Criminal Justice Policy
Drug Abuse
Drug Policy (U.S.)
Drug Trafficking
Legislation

Author: Kerrigan, Sarah

Title: Drug Toxicology for Prosecutors: Targeting Hardcore Impaired Drivers

Summary: Drug impaired drivers kill and maim thousands of people each and every year in the United States. Unfortunately, prosecuting drug-impaired drivers is a daunting task. Jurors, who are very familiar with alcohol’s effects, signs and symptoms, often know little or nothing about other drugs. Tainted by crime shows like CSI: Miami, they may have unrealistic expectations about the nature and quantum of available proof. Unlike alcohol, most states do not have “per se” limits for drugged driving. To successfully explain the evidence and issues to jurors in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) cases, prosecutors must understand the basics of drug toxicology. This publication is designed to provide prosecutors with a basic understanding of drug pharmacology and testing. The prosecution of drug impaired driving cases is more complex than alcohol-related DWI (driving while impaired) cases—both scientifically and legally. Impairment can be more difficult to discern and prove, thus making these cases more difficult to prosecute. Although alcohol is a drug, not all drugs can be considered in the same way. This means that a case involving a driver suspected of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) may require special handling and evaluation. Good communication and effective integration of law enforcement and legal and scientific personnel are essential in these cases.

Details: Alexandria, VA; American Prosecutors Research Institute, 2004. 59p.

Source: Special Topics Series: Internet Resource: Accessed August 30, 2012 at http://www.ndaa.org/pdf/drug_toxicology_for_prosecutors_04.pdf

Year: 2004

Country: United States

URL: http://www.ndaa.org/pdf/drug_toxicology_for_prosecutors_04.pdf

Shelf Number: 126173

Keywords:
Crime Laboratories
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drug-Impaired Driving
Drugs and Driving
Forensic Science
Forensics

Author: Douglas, Bob

Title: Alternatives to Prohibition. Illicit Drugs: How We Can Stop Killing and Criminalising Young Australians. Report of the second Australia21 Roundtable on Illicit Drugs held at The University of Melbourne on 6 July 2012

Summary: Australia’s illicit drug markets continue to thrive. Young people are being encouraged to experiment because huge profits are made from drug markets controlled by powerful criminal networks. Australia’s reported rates of cannabis and ecstasy (MDMA) use are among the highest in the world. Every year, new drug types appear in Australia. But the criminal justice system is unable to stamp out psychoactive drug use. People accused of drug related crimes fill our courts and those convicted fill our prisons. The collateral damage from efforts to suppress the drug trade continues to disrupt civil society and destroy young lives. About 400 Australians die each year through heroin overdose alone. By international standards our rates of drug-related deaths are extremely high. The July 2012 Roundtable included a group of 22 high level experts and young people, who examined changes in policy in four European countries and considered future options for Australia. These discussions identified a range of ways in which Australian policy could be reset. Some are modest and incremental reforms, while others are more ambitious and will require wide community consideration.

Details: Weston, ACT, AUS: Australian21 Limited, 2012. 52p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 11, 2012 at: http://www.australia21.org.au/publications/press_releases/A21_Alternatives_to_Prohibition_SEP_12.pdf

Year: 2012

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.australia21.org.au/publications/press_releases/A21_Alternatives_to_Prohibition_SEP_12.pdf

Shelf Number: 126296

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Drug Offenders
Drug Policy
Drug Prohibition
Illicit Drugs (Australia)

Author: Douglas, Bob

Title: The Prohibition of Illicit Drugs is Killing and Criminalilsing Our Children and We Are All Letting It Happen. Report of a high level roundtable held at the University of Sydney on Tuesday 31st January 2012 on the topic “What are the likely cost

Summary: In response to the Global Commission report, Australia21, in January 2012, convened a meeting of 24 former senior Australian politicians and experts on drug policy, to explore the principles and recommendations that were enunciated by the Global Commission. The group also included two young student leaders, a former senior prosecutor, a former head of the Australian Federal Police, representatives of Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform and a leading businessman. The Australian group agreed with the Global Commission that the international and Australian prohibition of the use of certain “illicit” drugs has failed comprehensively. By making the supply and use of certain drugs criminal acts, governments everywhere have driven their production and consumption underground and have fostered the development of a criminal industry that is corrupting civil society and governments and killing our children. By defining the personal use and possession of certain psychoactive drugs as criminal acts, governments have also avoided any responsibility to regulate and control the quality of substances that are in widespread use. Some of these illicit drugs have demonstrable health benefits. Many are highly addictive and harmful when used repeatedly. In that respect they are comparable to alcohol and nicotine, which are legal in Australia and, as a result, are under society’s control for quality, distribution, marketing and taxation. Australia has made great progress in recent decades reducing the harm from tobacco – a drug which kills half the people who use it.

Details: Weston, ACT, AUS: Australia21, 2012. 28p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 11, 2012 at: http://www.australia21.org.au/publications/press_releases/Australia21_Illicit_Drug_Policy_Report.pdf

Year: 2012

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.australia21.org.au/publications/press_releases/Australia21_Illicit_Drug_Policy_Report.pdf

Shelf Number: 126297

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Drug Offenders
Drug Policy
Drug Prohibition
Illicit Drugs (Australia)

Author: Moriarty, John

Title: Peer Effects in Adolescent Cannabis Use: It's the Friends, Stupid

Summary: This paper examines peer effects in adolescent cannabis use from several different reference groups, exploiting survey data that have many desirable properties and have not previously been used for this purpose. Treating the school grade as the reference group, and using both neighbourhood fixed effects and IV for identification, we find evidence of large, positive, and statistically significant peer effects. Treating nominated friends as the reference group, and using both school fixed effects and IV for identification, we again find evidence of large, positive, and generally statistically significant peer effects. Our preferred IV approach exploits information about friends of friends � �friends once removed�, who are not themselves friends - to instrument for friends� cannabis use. Finally, we examine whether the cannabis use of schoolmates who are not nominated as friends ��non-friends�� influences own cannabis use. Once again using neighbourhood fixed effects and IV for identification, the evidence suggests zero impact.In our data, schoolmates who are not also friends have no influence on adolescent cannabis use.

Details: Melbourne: University of Melbourne - Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, 2012. 29p.

Source: Internet Resource: Melbourne Institute Working Paper No. 27: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2192259

Year: 2012

Country: United States

URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2192259

Shelf Number: 127416

Keywords:
Cannabis Use (Australia)
Drug Abuse
Marijuana
Peer Effects

Author: Calafat, Amador

Title: Lifestyles and Drugs: Prevention Interventions in Recreational Settings

Summary: The publication seeks to explore a range of possible drug misuse prevention activities that could be delivered to young people and families during their holidays as well as in the recreational settings, and provide examples of innovative drug misuse prevention activities in holiday and leisure time settings. There are many economic, social and cultural advantages of national and international tourism and the problems addressed in this publication are far outweighed by the benefits. Nevertheless, there is a need to pool together successful experience from different localities in order to tackle problems related to misuse of drugs during holidays and in leisure settings. Certainly, big differences exist in the possibilities for responses available to different localities and settings - depending on resources available, extent of control (for example, licensing of premises for serving alcohol), local laws and traditions (e.g. laws and customs relating to cannabis possession and consumption) and the national contexts. The present publication will attempt to provide the readers with detailed examples of practice to illustrate the general principles which could be applied in most settings including: - understanding the issue through research, data collection and analysis, - involving the local community in developing solutions, - intelligent policing, - creating safer environments through planning and design, - working with local businesses to discuss issues and find solutions, - transport development, - providing alternatives to substance misuse, - working with and by the country of tourists' origin.

Details: Strasbourg: Pompidou Group, Council of Europe, 2010. 74p.

Source: Internet Resource: P-PG/Prev (2010) 7: Accessed March 28, 2014 at: http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/pompidou/Source/Files/minconf/P-PG-PREV-2010-7-en.pdf

Year: 2010

Country: Europe

URL: http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/pompidou/Source/Files/minconf/P-PG-PREV-2010-7-en.pdf

Shelf Number: 132016

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol Related Crime, Disorder
Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse Prevention
Drunk and Disorderly
Nuisance Behaviors and Disorders
Tourists

Author: Martyn, Michelle

Title: Drug and Alcohol Misuse Among Adult Offenders on Probation Supervision in Ireland. Findings from the Drugs and Alcohol Survey 2011

Summary: This report presents the findings from the Drugs and Alcohol Survey 2011 conducted by the Probation Service. The report and its findings are based on the first large-scale, nationwide survey conducted by the Service in Ireland on drug and alcohol misuse among the adult offender population on probation supervision. The overall report comprises four separate sub-reports which are detailed in section 3. The survey involved a representative sample of 2,963 adult offenders on Probation Officers' caseloads on the 1st April 2011. A questionnaire was developed specifically for the purpose of the study. The questionnaires were completed by the supervising Probation Officers based on their knowledge of the offenders on their caseloads. The main objectives of the study were as follows: - Ascertain the number of adult offenders on probation supervision who misused drugs and/or alcohol - Examine the nature and frequency of drug and alcohol misuse - Establish if there is a correlation between drug and/or alcohol misuse and offending and offending behaviour - Identify the level and nature of engagement with drug and alcohol treatment services The report provides the key findings of the survey. The sub-reports in chapters 3-6 present specific findings in detail. The report concludes with a discussion of issues arising in the study which merit particular attention and consideration in the management of drug and alcohol misuse policy and practice in the Probation Service. Key Findings - 89% of the adult offender population on probation supervision had misused drugs or alcohol either 'currently' (at the time of the survey) or in the 'past'. - Of the 89% of those who misused either alcohol/drugs, 27% misused drugs only, 20% misused alcohol only and 42% misused both drugs and alcohol. - While females comprised only 12% of the adult offender population both male and female adult offenders exhibit similar drug and alcohol misuse levels. - The Dublin probation regions exhibited the highest levels of overall misuse among their offender populations at 91%. - Almost 21% of offenders were currently misusing two or more substances and over 9% were misusing at least 3 substances. This includes misuse of alcohol. - This study identified a considerable link between drug misuse and the current index offence committed. Based on the Probation Officers' professional judgment, for 74% of drug-misusing offenders on supervision misuse was linked to their current offending. - In previous research carried out by the Probation Service in the Dublin Metropolitan Area in 1998, 55-60% of offenders were drug abusers. This research highlights that drug misuse is prevalent among more than 75% of offenders on supervision nationwide. - Almost 36% of offenders in the 35+ age group misused drugs only. - The majority of current opiate misusers were male and between the ages of 18-34 at 63.8%. � The majority of misusers of prescribed drugs were also males in the 18-34 age-group at 72.6%. However, notably 10% of the misusers were female in the 25-34 age-group. - The Dublin regions are proportionally highest for current opiate misuse, current prescription drugs and also current stimulant misuse. - Alcohol is the individual substance that is most commonly misused by offenders on probation supervision nationally. The misuse of 'alcohol only' is highest in the South West and the West, North West and Westmeath regions. - 33.5% of offenders identified as alcohol misusers were described as problematic at the time the survey was conducted. 79.7% were described as misusers in the past only. 27.1% were described as problematic misusers both currently and in the past. - 71% of alcohol-misusing offenders had their misuse linked to the current offence committed. - Drug-misuse linked to the offence is more pronounced in the younger age categories in this survey. Each of the age categories 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44 have in excess of 70% link to offending while the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups have a 50% or less link to offending. - The majority of drug-related offences were either for Drug Offences (31.8%) or acquisitive crimes such as Theft (32.8%). - The majority of alcohol related offences were crimes against the person and public order offences at almost 40%. - 41.7% of the total drug-misusing population was currently engaged in drug treatment services. - Half of the offenders within this survey had undergone drug treatment, in its various forms, in the past. - 72% of drug misusers were on methadone maintenance programmes

Details: Meath: Irish Probation Service, 2012. 62p.

Source: Internet Resource: Probation Service Research Report: Accessed August 14, 2014 at: http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/18746/1/Drug%2Band%2BAlcohol%2BMisuse%2Bamong%2BAdult%2BOffenders%2Bon%2BProbation%2BSupervision%2Bin%2BIreland.pdf

Year: 2012

Country: Ireland

URL: http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/18746/1/Drug%2Band%2BAlcohol%2BMisuse%2Bamong%2BAdult%2BOffenders%2Bon%2BProbation%2BSupervision%2Bin%2BIreland.pdf

Shelf Number: 133054

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Drug Abuse
Drug Offenders
Offender Supervision
Probationers (Ireland)

Author: Harvey, Shannon

Title: Case by Case: Refuge provision in London for survivors of domestic violence who use alcohol and other drugs or have mental health problems

Summary: Not long after the inception of the Stella Project in 2002, a survey of Women's Aid refuges found that just 13% would always accept women with mental health or drug or alcohol needs, while another 48% said that they would sometimes take these women, depending on other factors (Barron, 2004). Over the intervening decade, we have witnessed greater recognition of the intersections between the issues and seen many examples of increased partnership working across the domestic violence, substance use and mental health sectors. Despite the many positive changes, however, one of the most persistent concerns raised by practitioners is the lack of refuge space for women who are affected by substance use and/or mental ill-health. This study aimed to provide an updated picture of access to refuge services for this group of survivors. This was achieved through: - Telephone or face-to-face interviews with London-based refuge service providers (n=30) about their policies on accommodating women with drug and alcohol and/or mental health problems. - Freedom of information requests to all London boroughs (excluding the City of Westminster) in April 2012 and August 2013 about the number of women with drug and alcohol and/or mental health problems accommodated in refuges in the borough in the previous twelve months. The key findings were: - Most boroughs (n=18) include some level of requirement to support women with drug and alcohol and/or mental health problems within service specifications for refuge provision. This sometimes a specific requirement or a more generic 'expectation' that all survivors would be supported and that problematic substance use or mental ill-health would not constitute an absolute exclusion criteria. - Only two boroughs actively exclude women with drug and alcohol and/or mental health problems from the refuges they fund. - Most refuges fulfil the requirements in their service specification by operating a 'case by case' basis for assessing the needs and risks of potential service users. - Many refuges do, however, operate a partial blanket policy relating to certain types of substance use and/or mental health problems, most commonly women using opiates (including methadone) and those who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder or dementia. - Only seventeen (53.1%) of 32 local authorities were able to provide full or partial information on the number of domestic violence survivors accommodated by their refuge providers in the past year who had identified problems with drugs and/or alcohol and mental health needs. - In 2012 and 2013 these 17 boroughs accommodated, at most, 239 women with identified problems in relation to alcohol or drug use or mental health. - Only 14 boroughs could provide information about the number of women with drug and alcohol and/or mental health problems were refused access to refuge accommodation in their borough.

Details: London: AVA (Against Violence & Abuse) and Solace Women's Aid, 2014. 59p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2014 at: http://www.avaproject.org.uk/media/148039/case%20by%20case%20-%20london%20refuge%20provision%20-%20final.pdf

Year: 2014

Country: United Kingdom

URL: http://www.avaproject.org.uk/media/148039/case%20by%20case%20-%20london%20refuge%20provision%20-%20final.pdf

Shelf Number: 132029

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Domestic Violence (U.K.)
Drug Abuse
Mental Health Services
Victim Services
Violence Against Women

Author: Lacey, John H.

Title: Results of the 2012 California Roadside Survey of Nighttime Weekend Drivers' Alcohol and Drug Use

Summary: Background This report summarizes the results of the first California Statewide Roadside Survey of Nighttime Weekend Drivers' Alcohol and Drug Use. To our knowledge, it is the first state-level survey of this magnitude. It is modeled on data collection procedures used in the "2007 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers" sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Methods A random sample of nighttime drivers was interviewed on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight and 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Data were collected on one weekend in eight communities and on two weekends in one community during the summer of 2012. The nine communities where data were collected were Eureka, San Rafael, and Redding in the northern part of the state; Fresno and Modesto in the central part of the state; and Anaheim, Ontario, Chula Vista, and Gardena in southern California. Anonymous breath tests and oral fluid samples as well as responses to questionnaires were collected from over 1,300 drivers. The breath alcohol samples were analyzed for alcohol and the oral fluid samples were analyzed for nearly 50 drugs, including prescription, illegal, and over-the-counter drugs. Analyses were conducted by screening using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microplate technology and positive screens were confirmed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) technology. Results Among eligible drivers approached to participate in the survey, 81% (1,375 drivers) agreed to answer questions, 85.3% (1,449 drivers) provided a breath sample, and 77.3% (1,313 drivers) provided an oral fluid sample. Among drivers participating in the interview, 3.7% reported having a medical marijuana permit and, of those, 65.8% reported having used the permit to purchase marijuana. Within the total population, 40% admitted to having at some time used marijuana. In terms of breath and oral fluid test results, 184 (or, 14%) tested positive for at least one drug, and 7.3% tested positive for alcohol. One percent of tested drivers were at .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) or above. The vast majority (89.6%) of drug positive drivers tested negative for alcohol. Of the drug-positive drivers, 2.7% had a BAC above zero but less than .05; 5.5% from .05 to .08; and 2.2% at or above .08. Marijuana was the most frequently encountered drug at a prevalence rate of 7.4%, with 5.5% of drivers testing positive for marijuana alone; 1.1% testing positive for marijuana and an illegal drug; 0.5% testing positive for marijuana and a medication; and 0.3% testing positive for marijuana, an illegal drug, and a medication. Illegal drugs were present alone in 2.7% of drivers, and in combination with medications in 0.5%. Medications alone were present in 3.3% of drivers. Synthetic marijuana was found in 5 (or 0.4%) drivers. Conclusions This survey provides a baseline California prevalence estimate for alcohol and drug use among nighttime weekend drivers and can be compared with results of future surveys to examine patterns of change in drug and alcohol use in that population. It should be noted that these figures describe the prevalence rates for the presence of these drugs in drivers and do not address whether those drivers were impaired by these substances.

Details: Calverton, MD: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 2012. 33p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 8, 2016 at: http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/2012_Drug_And_Alcohol_Roadside_Survey.pdf

Year: 2012

Country: United States

URL: http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/2012_Drug_And_Alcohol_Roadside_Survey.pdf

Shelf Number: 138135

Keywords:
Driving Under the Influence
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drug Abuse
Drugged Driving
Drugs and Driving
Drunk Driving
Nighttime Economy

Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons

Title: Changing patterns of substance misuse in adult prisons and service responses

Summary: Drug misuse is a serious threat to the security of the prison system, the health of individual prisoners and the safety of prisoners and staff. Its effects ripple outwards to harm prisoners' friends and families and the wider community of which they are a part. An increasing number of reports of the misuse of medication in prison and concerns that traditional supply reduction and treatment strategies were ineffective were the initial driver for this thematic inspection. However, the availability of new psychoactive substances (NPS), particularly synthetic cannabis known as 'Spice' or 'Mamba', became highly prevalent during the preparation for this report. NPS have created significant additional harm and are now the most serious threat to the safety and security of the prison system that our inspections identify. This thematic inspection examined the changing extent and patterns of drug misuse in adult prisons and assessed the effectiveness of the response to it. The inspection's remit did not include tobacco and alcohol use by prisoners, which are important issues in their own right and raise significant operational and policy challenges. Of course, there are wider questions to be asked about the legal status of drugs in the community and the historical inconsistency of legal responses to various harmful substances. This report does not address those issues. There is no prospect of any relaxation of the rules governing the substances that are permitted in prisons and so there is an urgent requirement to address the harm that substance misuse causes in prisons in that realistic context. The report draws on the evidence of 61 adult prison inspections published between April 2014 and August 2015, the 10,702 survey responses from individual prisoners that were collected as part of those inspections, and detailed field work that was conducted in eight prisons between June and November 2014. We spoke to prisoners, prison staff and managers, drugs and health workers, and other experts. We reviewed a wide range of research undertaken by other bodies. We also considered some earlier inspection findings, where relevant. The inspection was carried out by the inspectorate's research team and specialist health and drugs inspectors. Changing patterns of drug use in the community provide a useful context for understanding drug misuse in prisons. It is impossible to know for certain the extent and type of drug misuse in the community or in prisons. Nevertheless, there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that patterns of drug use are changing in the community, with drug use appearing to be reducing. The 2014-15 Crime Survey for England and Wales found that 8-9% of adults reported illicit drug use over the previous year, down from 12% in 2003-04. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug and there has been a well-evidenced decline in illicit opiate use. The reported use of prescribed medication and NPS in the community is at a relatively low level. Patterns of dug misuse vary with age, gender, geography and lifestyle. There are important differences between drug misuse in prisons and the community. A declining number of prisoners needing treatment for opiate misuse reflects trends in the community, although many of those requiring opiate treatment in prison have complex dependence, social, physical and mental health issues. Prisoners are more likely to use depressants than stimulants to counter the boredom and stress of prison life. The use of synthetic cannabis and diverted medication reflects a response to comparative weaknesses in security measures. Often, the price of drugs is higher and the quality poorer in prison, reflecting greater difficulty of supply. The combination of community influences, prisoner demographics and individual prison contexts means that the patterns of drug use will differ from prison to prison. As this report was being prepared, there was an acceleration in the use and availability of NPS. It is important to understand, however, that success in combating current challenges in prisons, such as the availability of NPS or specific medications, will lead to an increased demand for other drugs, and to be prepared for this.

Details: London: HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2015. 85p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2016 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/Substance-misuse-web-2015.pdf

Year: 2015

Country: United Kingdom

URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/Substance-misuse-web-2015.pdf

Shelf Number: 138694

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Drug Offenders
Prison Contraband
Prisoner Misconduct
Prisoners
Prisons

Author: Mungan, Murat C.

Title: Gateway Crimes

Summary: Many who argue against the legalization of marijuana suggest that while its consumption may not be very harmful, marijuana indirectly causes significant social harm by acting as a "gateway drug," a drug whose consumption facilitates the use of other, more harmful, drugs. This article presents a theory of "gateway crimes", which, perhaps counter-intuitively, implies that there are social gains to decriminalizing offenses that cause minor harms, including marijuana-related offenses. A typical gateway crime is an act which is punished lightly, but, because it is designated as a crime, being convicted for committing it leads one to be severely stigmatized. People who are stigmatized have less to lose by committing more serious crimes, and, therefore, the criminalization of these acts increases recidivism. Thus, punishing "gateway crimes" may generate greater costs than benefits, and this possibility must be kept in mind when discussing potential criminal justice reforms. This "gateway effect" does not require that, but, is strongest when, people underestimate, or ignore, either the likelihood or magnitude of the consequences associated with being convicted for a minor crime. Therefore, - if potential offenders in fact underestimate expected conviction costs - this theory not only implies previously unidentified benefits associated with decriminalizing acts that cause questionable or minor harms, but also benefits associated with making the costs associated with convictions more transparent.

Details: Arlington, VA: George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School, 2016. 43p.

Source: Internet Resource: George Mason Law & Economics Research Paper No. 16-36 : Accessed September 2, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2827880

Year: 2016

Country: United States

URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2827880

Shelf Number: 140113

Keywords:
Criminal Careers
Drug Abuse
Gateway Effects
Marijuana
recidivism

Author: Leslie, Ellen

Title: Alcohol use and motivations for drinking among types of young adult illicit stimulant uers

Summary: Drinking among young adult users of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) during episodes of ecstasy and methamphetamine use is reported to have a number of possible functions, such as mitigating the unwanted effects of the drugs, enhancing intoxication and pleasure, and increasing drinking capacity. While there is evidence to suggest a high prevalence of risky drinking among users of ATS in Australia, little is known about how they combine their use of ATS with the consumption of alcohol or why they do so. This paper considers how ATS users consume alcohol during ecstasy and methamphetamine use, and also addresses alcohol abuse and dependence among low-risk and at-risk ATS users. At-risk users are more likely to have experienced alcohol abuse and dependence during adolescence or early adulthood, suggesting that higher-risk use of ATS may be linked with problematic drinking patterns. The paper suggests that problematic behaviour relating to alcohol and ATS use is interlinked, and may be important in developing appropriate policy responses.

Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2016. 15p.

Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice, no. 515: Accessed December 5, 2016 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi515.pdf

Year: 2016

Country: Australia

URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi515.pdf

Shelf Number: 140281

Keywords:
Alcohol Related Crime, Disorder
Drug Abuse
Illegal Drugs
Substance Abuse

Author: Pope, Leah G.

Title: A New Normal: Addressing Opioid Use through the Criminal Justice System

Summary: The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths that cuts across economic, racial, and geographic boundaries. In the midst of this devastation, people are struggling to find ways to save the lives of their community members. While the "war on drugs" created tough enforcement policies that resulted in a bloated justice system, there is increasing momentum for a smarter and more compassionate approach to people who use drugs. This report describes how some innovative jurisdictions are implementing harm reduction strategies in order to reduce overdose deaths, improve the well-being of justice system-involved people, and advance the health and safety of their communities. It shares perspectives from stakeholders in law enforcement, the court system, corrections agencies, drug policy, and the community about what strategies are being implemented, how they have overcome barriers, and what work remains to be done.

Details: New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2017. 23p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 6, 2017 at: https://www.vera.org/publication_downloads/new-normal-opioid-use-criminal-justice-system/new-normal-opioid-use-criminal-justice-system.pdf

Year: 2017

Country: United States

URL: https://www.vera.org/publication_downloads/new-normal-opioid-use-criminal-justice-system/new-normal-opioid-use-criminal-justice-system.pdf

Shelf Number: 145583

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse and Crime
Drug Abuse Policyi
Drug Enforcement
Drug Offenders
Opioid

Author: Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission

Title: Operation Tone: Special report concerning drug use and associated corrupt conduct involving Ambulance Victoria paramedics

Summary: The Victorian community places great trust in paramedics. Paramedics are often among the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency and are responsible for treating and stabilising patients. They have access to an array of powerful, prescription medications that they can administer (in accordance with clinical guidelines) depending on a patient's needs and circumstances. Victorians rightfully expect that paramedics will demonstrate professionalism and expertise in carrying out their duty of care to patients. This report concerns an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) into allegations that Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics engaged in serious corrupt conduct, namely the theft, trafficking and use of drugs of dependence, and misappropriation of AV equipment. Many paramedics are exemplars of their profession. However, Operation Tone has identified a culture of illicit drug use and misappropriation of AV equipment by individuals and among certain groups, particularly in the Barwon South West region. Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, IBAC believes it is probable that this conduct occurs beyond that identified in this investigation. Illicit drug use by paramedics is concerning on several fronts: - Illicit drug use, possession and trafficking are criminal offences and contravene the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees and the AV Workplace Conduct Policy. A paramedic who procures and uses illicit drugs is, by definition, engaging in criminal conduct. - The use of drugs of dependence undermines the safety of the Victorian community. It is imperative that a paramedic's judgement and performance not be impaired by illicit drugs, particularly when they are dealing with patients. The use of drugs of dependence also poses a safety risk for individual users and their AV colleagues. Since 2012, fentanyl or morphine have been involved in three paramedic deaths in Victoria. - The use of drugs of dependence erodes public confidence in AV. AV has proactively responded to the vulnerabilities identified in Operation Tone. When IBAC commenced its investigation in November 2015, AV's capacity to identify and expose at-risk paramedics was initially limited. During IBAC's investigation, AV introduced new policies and practices to minimise opportunities for the possession, use and misappropriation of drugs of dependence. New AV policies and practices also limit the opportunity for misappropriation of AV equipment. AV has advised it accepts the content of this report and the recommendations made. AV also advised it has continued to implement initiatives to address illicit drug use and misuse of drugs of dependence since the completion of IBAC's investigation. During Operation Tone, one paramedic was terminated and eight paramedics resigned while under investigation. Six paramedics retained their employment with a formal warning; of these, five were relocated to different regions for varying periods, were enrolled in an ethics counselling course, and precluded from development opportunities for 12 months. Following the IBAC investigation, one witness pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates. Court to breaching a confidentiality nottice and misleading IBAC, and was fined $5000.

Details: Melbourne: The Commission, 2017. 38p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 13, 2017 at: http://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/docs/default-source/special-reports/operation-tone-special-report-september-2017.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Year: 2017

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/docs/default-source/special-reports/operation-tone-special-report-september-2017.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Shelf Number: 148138

Keywords:
Corruption
Drug Abuse
Drug Trafficking
Employee Misconduct
Illicit Drug Use
Prescription Drug Abuse

Author: Evans, William N.

Title: How the Reformulation of OxyContin Ignited the Heroin Epidemic

Summary: We examine the recent rise in heroin poisoning deaths and attribute the increase to the reformulation of OxyContin, an extended-release painkiller that was at the center of the rise in opioid abuse. Prior to the reformulation, recreational users could easily crush the drug to create a powder that could be snorted or liquefied and injected. This allowed users to circumvent the extended-release mechanism and gain access to a high dose of the drug all at once. Without notice, an abuse-deterrent version of OxyContin replaced the old formulation in early August, 2010 making it difficult to abuse the drug in this way. In the first part of the paper, we use national time series data at the monthly and quarterly level and long-standing techniques from the macro literature to date regime changes. These results show that OxyContin use and deaths stop rising and/or decline in August 2010 while heroin use and deaths begin to climb the following month. We then use the pre-reform specifics of heroin markets and OxyContin use to break states up into areas with high and low substitution possibilities. The shift to heroin would be easier and more pronounced in areas with greater access to heroin or areas with a greater use of opioids in the pre-reform period. Using monthly data on mortality rates at the state level for heroin and opioid deaths, we find that high substitution states had a much larger increase in heroin death rates. However, nationally, the reformulation generated no change in total heroin and opioids mortality, though we do find that areas with less access to heroin see slight reductions in combined heroin and opioids mortality. This suggests that the FDA's push for more abuse-deterrent formulations of other opioids might have limited impact when there are readily-available alternatives and emphasizes the importance of considering consumers' equilibrium responses to interventions that affect the full price of opioids.

Details: Notre Dame, IN: Department of Economics, University of Notre Dame, 2018. 50p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 3, 2018 at: https://www3.nd.edu/~elieber/research/ELP.pdf

Year: 2018

Country: United States

URL: https://www3.nd.edu/~elieber/research/ELP.pdf

Shelf Number: 149658

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Drug Epidemic
Heroin
Opioid Epidemic
OxyContin
Pain Medications

Author: Quilter, Julia

Title: The significance of 'intoxication' in Australian criminal law

Summary: Recent years have seen intense media scrutiny, concerted policy discussion and significant law reform on the relationship between the consumption of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and the commission of criminal offences. These debates invite consideration of two related questions with which this paper is concerned. First, in what sorts of contexts and for what purposes. does the criminal law (including laws governing police powers) attach significance to a person's intoxication? Second, in the context of the criminal justice system, what does it mean to say that a person is 'intoxicated', and how is that term defined? These two questions became the foundation of a Criminology Research Grant-funded study. This paper summarises the main findings of the study. It: (i) maps and assesses the multiple purposes for which Australian criminal laws attach significance to 'intoxication'; (ii) analyses how 'intoxication' is defined for criminal law purposes; and (iii) investigates the relationship between the purpose for which significance is attached to intoxication and how intoxication is defined.

Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2018. 16p.

Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 546: Accessed May 14, 2018 at: https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi546

Year: 2018

Country: Australia

URL: https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi546

Shelf Number: 150174

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Drug Abuse
Drunkenness

Author: Philadelphia. Mayor's Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Philadelphia

Title: Final Report & Recommendations

Summary: This report describes a public health crisis in Philadelphia caused by prescription and illicit opioids, and characterized by high and increasing rates of opioid use disorder and overdose death, as well as their devastating personal, family, and societal consequences.. The Mayor's Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic considered the causes of this crisis and its potential solutions. The recommendations in this report were guided by the following eight principles: 1. Prioritize intervening at the earliest possible time. 2. Recognize the diversity of the city and the varied populations affected by the epidemic, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and parenting status. 3. Ensure that the voice of lived experience is included. 4. Support recommendations with data. 5. Find a balance between actionable recommendations and aspirational recommendations. 6. Speak to all organizations and entities that could contribute to solutions, rather than just the mayor or City government. 7. Consider return on investment and maximize the impact of resources expended. 8. Be subject to continuous, ongoing, and frequent evaluation and monitoring with quantitative metrics.

Details: Philadelphia: The Task Force, 2017. 40p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 5, 2018 at: https://dbhids.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OTF_Report.pdf

Year: 2017

Country: United States

URL: https://dbhids.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OTF_Report.pdf

Shelf Number: 150478

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
Opioid Epidemic
Opioids
Prescription Drug Abuse

Author: Colquhoun-Flannery, Claire

Title: Examining the Efficacy of the Building Skills for Recovery (BSR) Programme for Substance-Misusing Offenders in Custody in England and Wales

Summary: Building Skills for Recovery (BSR) is a substance misuse intervention that has been designed to reduce offending behaviour and dependent substance misuse with an eventual goal of recovery. As little research has been carried out to explore the efficacy of BSR, this study aimed to measure change in the treatment targets of impulsivity, locus of control and problem solving in 1,702 BSR participants in custody, particularly clinically significant change. The impact of readiness to engage in treatment on programme completion was also explored.

Details: London, U.K.: Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, 2018. 7p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 18, 2018 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/764651/examining-efficacy-building-skills-recovery-programme.pdf

Year: 2018

Country: United Kingdom

URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/examining-the-efficacy-of-the-building-skills-for-recovery-programme-for-substance-misusing-offenders-in-custody

Shelf Number: 154065

Keywords:
Building Skills Recovery
Drug Abuse
Drug Use
Impulsivity
Intervention
Locus of Control
Recidivism
Reduce Offending
Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse Intervention

Author: Peace, Michelle

Title: Characterization and Abuse of Electronic Cigarettes: The Efficacy of "Personal Vaporizers" as an Illicit Drug Delivery System

Summary: Statement of Problem Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or e-cigs), known as "personal vaporizers" (PV) by avid users or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) by industry, have experienced a significant increase in popularity for those seeking an alternative to smoking traditional tobacco products. These products are comprised of a battery-powered atomizer and a cartridge filled with a pharmaceutical (nicotine), flavorings, and water dissolved in glycerol products. E-cigarette are manufactured in a variety of options: from off-the-shelf non-customizable devices to customizable, including self-wrapping of the element, homemade wicks, self-preparation of the e-cigarette liquid formulation (e-liquids), cups to hold plant material, dripping vs wicking, and wattage adjustors to administer the desired drug. The lack of enforced regulation prior to May 2016 has resulted in easy accesses to e-cigarettes and has shepherded their nefarious uses. The use of the e-cigarettes as an illicit drug delivery device is touted on websites, forums, blogs, and videos describing how best to use them for specific illicit drugs such as tetrahydrocannabinol, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. These sites explain at length the benefits of "vaping" illicit drugs as it can conceivably be done in public without attracting notice. While some individuals and communities have begun to legislate where users can vape, vaping is not just acceptable, it is considered �cool� by many and often has the added benefit of no odor. Analyzing paraphernalia for drug usage uses straightforward methodology established in controlled substance laboratories nationwide. E-cigarettes were largely uncharacterized at the beginning of this research. In forensic science laboratories, little is known or understood about their construction, let alone how they are used to deliver illicit drugs. From a general toxicological perspective, little is documented regarding the delivery of nicotine, particularly as a function of power, for e-cigarettes. Even less is known regarding the adulteration of e-cigarettes and how the e-cigarettes are used or modified to optimize the delivery of an adulterant and/or alternative drug. Problems can arise with using electronic cigarettes to deliver illicit drugs. According the vaping community, the dosing can be increased by turning up the wattage/voltage on the device. This method to increase dosage alone, or combined with increasing the volume of the "puff", could easily lead to overdoses. Increasing temperatures could lead to pyrolysis products which can potentially be used as biomarkers that could identify the use of e-cigarettes in biological tissues and which may have unknown biological effects. Drug forums are providing cautionary tales to users, however, these are overshadowed by the clear benefits these devices bring to drug users. Few peer-reviewed published manuscripts in the literature describe, define, and/or illustrate the use of e-cigarettes. The overarching purpose for this study was to characterize the use and efficacy of electronic cigarettes to deliver pharmaceutical products. E-cigarettes were functionally described, methods were developed to analyze the pharmaceutical products (e-liquids and aerosol), truth in advertising was described for commercially available products, adulterations to the products were assessed, and potential biomarkers were evaluated.

Details: Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 12, 2019 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251788.pdf

Year: 2018

Country: United States

URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251788.pdf

Shelf Number: 154091

Keywords:
Drug Abuse
E-Cigarettes
Electronic Cigarettes
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
Illicit Drugs
Overdose
Paraphernalia
Vaping
Vaporizers

Author: Sullivan, Tom

Title: Is alcohol and energy drink consumption associated with antisocial behaviour?

Summary: The consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has become popular in Australia, particularly among young people. AmED research suggests there are associations between AmED consumption and harmful behaviours, including criminal offences. This study investigated the behaviours of a group of AmED consumers known to engage in high-risk activities-police detainees. It found most detainees had recently consumed energy drinks, but consumption of AmED was less common than in community samples. The study also compared the behaviours of AmED consumers with alcohol consumers, and analysed how AmED consumers behaved in AmED sessions versus alcohol sessions. It found AmED consumers reported drinking more alcohol in a usual alcohol session than in a usual AmED session. AmED consumers were also significantly less likely to report being assaulted or committing a traffic offence in an AmED session, compared with an alcohol only session.

Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2019. 14p.

Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice, No. 573: Accessed March 14, 2019 at: https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi573

Year: 2019

Country: Australia

URL: https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi573

Shelf Number: 154963

Keywords:
Alcohol Abuse
Antisocial Behavior
Drug Abuse
Police Detainees

Author: Reichert, Jessica

Title: Addressing Opioid Use Disorders in Community Corrections: A Survey of Illinois Probation Departments

Summary: Nearly one-third of Illinois probationers suffer from an opioid use disorder (OUD). Despite evidence that FDA-approved medications methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can effectively treat OUD, many probation departments do not allow their clients to use them, even when prescribed by a healthcare provider. ICJIA researchers surveyed probation departments across the state to better understand their familiarity with, and training on, the medications, as well as barriers to their clients' access and use. This article summarizes the study's findings.

Details: Chicago, Illinois: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2018.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2019 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/articles/addressing-opioid-use-disorders-in-community-corrections-a-survey-of-illinois-probation-departments

Year: 2018

Country: United States

URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/articles/addressing-opioid-use-disorders-in-community-corrections-a-survey-of-illinois-probation-departments

Shelf Number: 156007

Keywords:
Buprenorphine
Drug Abuse
Drug Use
Methadone
Naltrexone
Opioid Crisis
Opioid Use
Substance Abuse
Substance Use

Rutgers - School of Law, Newark

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