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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for opiates
17 results foundAuthor: United Nations Office on Drug Control. Country Office LAO PDR Title: Sustaining Opium Reduction in Southeast Asia: Sharing Experiences on Alternative Development and Beyond, Regional Seminar: Global Partnership on Alternative Development (GLO144), 15-17 December 2008, Chiang Mai, Thailand Summary: Since 1998, opium production in Southeast Asia has declined by some 67% from 1,437 tons in 1998 to 469 tons in 2007. The area under cultivation has also declined by over 80% from 158,230 hectares to 29,200 hectares during the same period. These significant results have been achieved through alternative development efforts beginning first in Thailand from the 1970s. This was followed by other alternative development efforts in Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Vietnam, Thailand and Laos marked their success in significantly eliminating opium poppy in 2000, 2003, and 2006 respectively. However there has been a 26% increase in opium poppy cultivating areas in South East Asia from 2006 to 2009. The global economic crisis has resulted in plummeting commodity prices that has coincided with increases in the price of opium. These two levers are contributing to a resurgence of opium production that is threatening to undermine years of success. This is compounded by other geo-political as well as trans-boundary threats. Unchecked, the situation could spiral out of control and could undermine stability, security, trade and development as well as efforts to eliminate poverty and achieve the millenium development goals. More than every before there is a need for a global partnership as well as expanded alternative development efforts to sustain opium elimination. There is a need for Governments, donors and alternative development practitioners to seek comprehensive as well as efficient and effective policies, strategies and programmes to sustain opium elimination while ensuring a life of dignity for the vulnerable communities that used to be dependant on opium. It is important that opportunities to eliminate poverty and also ensure sustainable human development processes are accessible to these communities. Details: Vientiane: 2008 Source: Year: 2008 Country: Laos URL: Shelf Number: 117400 Keywords: Drug EnforcementOpiates |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Addiction, Crime and Insurgency the Transnational Threat of Afghan Opium Summary: This report looks at multiple consequences of Afghan drugs as they move through neighboring states, along the Balkan and Eurasian routes, ending up in Europe, the Russian Federation, even China and India. This analysis intends to aid the international community appreciate the inter-connected nature of the world community and the Afghan drug trade. This is pursued utilizing three main points related to the drug chain: 1) assistance to farmers to reduce supply 2) drug prevention and treatment to curb demand, and 3) law enforcement against intermediaries. Details: Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: Austria URL: Shelf Number: 116654 Keywords: AfghanistanDrug TraffickingInternational CrimeOpiates |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Sustaining Opium Reduction in Southeast Asia: Sharing Experiences on Alternative Development and Beyond Summary: Alternative development has developed into a comprehensive response to the cultivation of illicit crops, comprising development, demand reduction, and law enforcement to address issues of poverty, addiction and criminal behavior. Details: Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, 2009 Source: Regional Seminar: Global Partnership on Alternative Development 2008 Year: 2009 Country: Laos URL: Shelf Number: 115814 Keywords: Drug Trafficking ControlOpiates |
Author: Hay, Gordon Title: National and Regional Estimates of the Prevalence of Opiate Use and/or Crack Cocaine Use 2005-2006: A Summary of Key Findings Summary: This report summarizes the results of the second sweep of a three-year study to estimate the prevalence of problem drug use (defined as use of opiates and/or crack cocaine) nationally (England only), regionally, and locally. An overview of national and government office region estimates are presented as comparisons with the estimates produced by the previous (2004/05) sweep of this study. Details: London: Home Office, 2007. 91p. Source: Internet Resource; Home Office Online Report; 21/07 Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117658 Keywords: CocaineDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug OffendersOpiates |
Author: Ormston, Rachel Title: Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2009: Public Attitudes to Drugs and Drug Use in Scotland Summary: This report presents frindings from the 2009 Scottish Social Attitudes survey on public attitudes towards illegal drugs and drug misuse in Scotland. The report focuses in particular on attitudes towards opiate misuse and on views of potential policy responses to this. However, it also places such attitudes in the context of wider views and experiences of illegal drugs. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2010. 75p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 118687 Keywords: Drug Abuse PolicyDrugsOpiatesPublic Opinion, Drugs (Scotland) |
Author: O'Reilly, Bridie Title: Benzodiazepine and Pharmaceutical Opioid Misuse and Their Relationship to Crime: An Examination of Illicit Prescription Drug Markets in Melbourne, Hobart and Darwin. Northern Territory Report Summary: The National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund commissioned research to enhance law enforcement understanding of the impact of benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opiate use on crime in three select Australian jurisdictions where there was evidence of emergent or consolidated illicit markets: Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The aims were to gain understanding of illicit benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opiate market characteristics, investigate the hypothesized relationship between benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opiate use and crime, explore the implications for emergency services staff and consider appropriate interventions to address the impact on law enforcement and health. The current research replicated core methods in the three target jurisdictions in four stages over a 14-month period commencing April 2003: interviews with law enforcement personnel, two surveys of benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opiate users, analysis of secondary indicator data and in-depth interviews with key informants. This report focuses only on the Northern Territory findings. Details: Hobart, Tasmania: National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund, 2007. 241p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2010 at: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_24.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_24.pdf Shelf Number: 119696 Keywords: Drugs Abuse and CrimeIllicit DrugsOpiatesPrescription Drug Abuse |
Author: Bruno, Raimondo Title: Benzodiazepine and Pharmaceutical Opioid Misuse and Their Relationship to Crime Summary: The purpose of the current study was to contribute to the understanding of the law enforcement sector in regard to the impact of benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opiate misuse on crime. In particular, the study aimed: to examine the nature of the illicit market in benzodiazepines and pharmaceutical opiates; to investigate any links between misuse of such drugs and criminal activity; to examine the implications of use for health and law enforcement staff; and to consider opportunities, and the potential impacts of, interventions into this issue. The study was conducted in three Australian jurisdictions where there was evidence of existing or emerging patterns of use of diverted pharmaceutical products amongst individuals who inject illicit drugs. This report details only the Tasmanian-specific primary data collected as part of this larger study. Details: Hobart, Tasmania: National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund, 2007. 186p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series No. 22: Accessed August 28, 2010 at: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_22.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_22.pdf Shelf Number: 119697 Keywords: Drug Abuse and CrimeIllicit DrugsOpiatesPrescription Drug Abuse |
Author: Nopens, Patrick F.P. Title: Countering Afghan Narcotics: A Litmus Test for Effective NATO and Russia Cooperation? Summary: Afghan opiates kill 100,000 people a year globally. Every year NATO countries lose over 10,000 people to heroin overdoses. In Russia an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people die of drug overdoses yearly. Counter-narcotics in Afghanistan is an area where NATO’s and Russia’s interests clearly coincide. If NATO and Russia cannot find a way of effectively cooperating in this matter, not only will the Afghan narcotic problem spiral completely out of control, but NATO-Russia cooperation could come under pressure. Details: Brussels, Belgium: Royal Institute for International Relations, 2010. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Security Policy Brief, No. 14: Accessed October 5, 2010 at: http://www.egmontinstitute.be/papers/10/sec-gov/SPB-14-Nopens-countering-afghan-narcotics.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Afghanistan URL: http://www.egmontinstitute.be/papers/10/sec-gov/SPB-14-Nopens-countering-afghan-narcotics.pdf Shelf Number: 119859 Keywords: Drug TraffickingNarcoticsOpiatesOrganized Crime |
Author: Fry, Craig Title: Benzodiazepine and Pharmaceutical Opioid Misuse and their Relationship to Crime: An Examination of Illicit Prescription Drug Markets in Melbourne, Hobart and Darwin. National Overview Report Summary: This National Overview Report presents a review of the literature, an overview of study methodology, key findings and jurisdiction-specific discussion points. It should be read in conjunction with each of the companion Jurisdiction Reports for Melbourne (Smith et al. 2004), Hobart (Bruno, 2004) and Darwin (O’Reilly et al. 2004), which contain detailed data content, and discussion of the findings and issues of local relevance to those study sites. This report avoids duplication of the data content of each Jurisdiction Report, in preference for summary and discussion of the main important findings and themes that have emerged from this comprehensive study. Specifically, the report focuses upon: • Salient issues that have emerged from the review of relevant national and international literature (current knowledge and gaps in the literature); • Comparison of key findings across study sites (descriptive and explanatory/statistical comparisons concerning market characteristics, diversion and links to crime); and • Discussion of the implications of these findings for law enforcement and health services (including implications for front line workers, options for intervention within the market, and future directions). Details: Hobart, Tasmania: National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund, 2007. 214p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series No. 21: Accessed October 6, 2010 at: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_21.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_21.pdf Shelf Number: 119864 Keywords: Drug Abuse and CrimeDrug MarketsIllicit DrugsOpiatesPrescription Drug Abuse |
Author: Latypov, Alisher Title: Drug Dealers, Drug Lords and Drug Warriors-cum-Traffickers: Drug Crime and the Narcotics Market in Tajikistan Summary: This report presents research on the role played by the police, petty drug dealers and users in the street level drug trade in Tajikistan. Synthesizing information received from interviews with individual Tajik drug users, annual reports from the Tajik Drug Control Agency as well as lesser- known studies by local researchers, the study brings to light a number of interesting details of the street level drug trade in Tajikistan and discusses their implications for drug policies in the region as a whole. The main findings are: 1. the drug trade is evolving and becoming more mobile whereby cellular communications are used to arrange meetings or direct delivery of drugs to one’s home by the dealer in lieu of the previous practice of using specially-designated apartments or homes for the sale/purchase of drugs; 2.there is an emerging tendency amongst dealers to have purchasers transfer money to their bank accounts to facilitate larger drug sales; 3.heroin in Tajikistan is now more widely available, easier to acquire and of higher quality – all of which is consistent with changes in the prices of high purity heroin in the country in recent years; 4.the current situation in those towns bordering Afghanistan indicates a strong correlation between HIV risk behaviors and expanding HIV epidemics among injecting drug users; 5.new types of drugs like pill-form methadone from Iran and cocaine and ecstasy from China and Russia are available on the drug markets in Tajikistan, with the latter becoming especially popular in night clubs frequented by Tajik youth; 6.the Tajik drug market is being connected to drug markets in other countries through new routes between Tajikistan and China, with drugs moving in both directions, and Tajikistan and Iran. This research likewise illustrates the shocking state of corruption in Tajik law enforcement agencies and penitentiary facilities whereby police and prison officers directly facilitate the distribution of drugs. Law enforcement officials provide (confiscated) heroin to favored dealers, arrest or harass competing dealers and exploit drug users in various ways for the sake of information, money or sexual favors. Drug users are also routinely arrested, often by planting evidence on them, to meet arbitrary quotas, which all but ensures that the activities of larger criminal and drug trafficking organizations will go on unimpeded. Moreover, while the analysis of data from the Tajik Drug Control Agency suggests that the volume of opiates coming to or transiting Tajikistan from Afghanistan might, on the whole, have diminished over the past few years, the reported decrease in opiate seizures appears to be misleading as corruption in law enforcement has kept the country awash in heroin and other drugs. To address these challenges, this study suggests stepping up state prosecution of corrupt police and corrections officers, re-visiting contemporary drug policies through the lens of human rights, introducing policies that discourage targeting and arresting drug users for the purpose of police performance assessment, and providing more harm reduction, drug treatment and legal aid opportunities to people who use drugs both in community and prison settings. Details: Vilnius, Lithuania: Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, 2011. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 23, 2012 at http://idpc.net/sites/default/files/library/Drug_warriors_in_Takijistan_0.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Tajikistan URL: http://idpc.net/sites/default/files/library/Drug_warriors_in_Takijistan_0.pdf Shelf Number: 123749 Keywords: Drug DealersDrug PoliciesDrug Trade (Tajikistan)Drug Trafficking (Tajikistan)HeroinIllegal Drug TradeOpiatesPolice Corruption |
Author: DuPée, Matthew C. Title: The Narcotics Emirate of Afghanistan: Armed Polities and Their Roles in Illicit Drug Production and Conflict 1980-2010 Summary: The production of illicit narcotics in low-intensity conflict environments remains a serious concern for U.S. policymakers. Afghanistan is a solid example where the intersection of crime, narcotics production and insurgency has successfully thwarted U.S. stabilization and security efforts despite a 10-year military engagement there. This study seeks to examine the role of crime better, particularly narcotics related criminal enterprise, and its effect on the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan. This study explores political, economic and conflict related factors that facilitate the narcotics industry and forges cooperation between drug trafficking organizations and insurgent movements. A key argument of this study is that nontraditional participants in narcotics production, such as insurgent groups or state representatives and institutions, acquire more than just profit and resources. Participants stand to gain political leverage, the social and political legitimacy derived from “protecting” the livelihoods of rural farmers, as well as “freedom of action;” the ability to operate unimpeded within a given territory or space because of public support. This study also suggests that one additional factor, social control, is a key motivator for an actor’s participation in the narcotics industry. Details: Monterey, CA: Naval Postgraduate School, 2010. 143p. Source: Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School: Internet Resource: Accessed February 12, 2012 at http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ada536901.pdf&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Afghanistan URL: http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ada536901.pdf&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf Shelf Number: 124110 Keywords: Drug MarketsDrug TraffickingNarcotics (Afghanistan) (Pakistan)OpiatesOrganized CrimeTaliban |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Misuse of Licit Trade for Opiate Trafficking in Western and Central Asia: A Threat Assessment Summary: Over the last decade, economic relations between countries in Western and Central Asia have greatly improved. The introduction of a number of trade agreements that have removed or reduced trade barriers has resulted in a marked increase in trade in the region. Dry ports play a key role in regional trade and in particular in facilitating the movement of goods between different forms of transportation within the Western and Central Asian transport network. Goods arrive at and depart from dry ports by a range of modes of transport, including by road, rail, inland waterways and airports, and the ports provide services for the handling and temporary storage of containers and general and/or bulk cargo. For countries in the region with no direct access to the sea, such as Afghanistan, dry ports are crucial hubs for commercial trade. In order to facilitate the movement of goods across borders, a number of trade agreements have been implemented to reduce the level of customs inspections at dry ports and border control points and to standardize transport regulations. However, while the volume of trade handled at dry ports in the region has increased, there has been no corresponding expansion in the level of law enforcement in these locations. This report analyses the role of dry ports in the regional trade network and highlights the risk of their abuse by drug traffickers. It also contains an in-depth analysis of the ways in which drug traffickers abuse the trade network to smuggle opiates. Many of the problems and risks that are identified in relation to trade agreements, dry ports and the transportation network in Western and Central Asia can also be applied to many other regions in the world. The report is divided into three sections. The first section contains an overview of the major trade routes used to transport goods in Western and Central Asia, and an explanation of the role of dry ports in the regional transportation network. The second section contains an overview of the eight major bilateral and regional trade and transit trade agreements that Afghanistan has entered into over the last 10 years. Each overview is broken down into five parts, comprising: A brief introduction of the trade agreement; An outline of the trade and/or transit trade levels and routes used in the relevant countries; A description of the transportation and customs regulations contained in the agreement; An analysis of the functions, trade capacity and law enforcement capacity of dry ports along the specific trade routes; and, An overview of opiate and chemical precursor trafficking at trade and transit routes and dry ports. The third section contains a discussion of the ways in which opiates are trafficked by sea from South-West Asia to East Africa. Details: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2012. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2012 at http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Studies/Opiate_Trafficking_and_Trade_Agreements_english_web.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Studies/Opiate_Trafficking_and_Trade_Agreements_english_web.pdf Shelf Number: 126689 Keywords: Drug TraffickingLicit Trade, MisuseOpiates |
Author: Dempsey, Orla Title: Developing and Implementing Models for the Prevalence, Incidence and Geographic Spread of Opiate Use in Ireland Summary: The objective of this study is to further develop and implement established mathematical models for the first time to the problem of estimating the true size of the opiate epidemic and to develop and apply existing mathematical models to the problem of modelling the geographic spread of opiate use in Ireland. Estimates of the true size and spread of the opiate epidemic are difficult to obtain due to the hidden nature of opiate use however these estimates are vital for policy makers and service providers when planning for the provision of effective treatment services. In a bid to estimate the true size of the epidemic this research focuses on deriving suitable models to estimate the prevalence and incidence of opiate use in Ireland. The back calculation model from AIDS epidemiology is applied to the problem of estimating the hidden, untreated incidence of opiate use. An estimate of the hidden incidence is produced by back calculating from the known treated incidence through an estimated latency period of opiate use. The back calculation model is analytically solved and the solutions obtained are used to produce estimates of the hidden, untreated incidence of opiate use when the exact rate of progression to treatment is unknown. In a bid to produce more accurate incidence estimates data on times from first opiate use to first treatment are obtained. A model for the exact rate of progression to first treatment is determined through fitting Gamma and Weibull probability distributions to data on 5,022 times to treatment for previously untreated opiate users. The exact rate of progression to first treatment along with a range of forms of treated incidence is applied to the back calculation model which is then solved analytically for the first time. The solutions obtained are applied to the problem of estimating the true size of the hidden, untreated population of opiate users who will present for their first treatment in the future. A vast array of techniques to estimate the prevalence of drug and opiate use exist however a new approach which is not heavily data dependent would be beneficial to researchers, policy makers and service providers. An integral equation model to estimate the prevalence of opiate use is derived. The prevalence model derived is based on the models developed for the hidden incidence of opiate use. Estimates of the prevalence of opiate use are produced when the exact rate of progression to treatment is unknown and known. Whilst estimates of the true size of the epidemic are necessary, it is essential to determine where the epidemic will spread in order to determine measures to prevent further spread. A partial differential equation which uses the prevalence estimates produced, is derived to describe the geographic spread of opiate use in Ireland. Techniques to estimate model parameters for the partial differential equation are developed and the hypothetical geographic spread of opiate use from Dublin to Wexford is simulated. Models for the prevalence, incidence and geographic spread of opiate use have been developed. The models derived are not heavily data dependent and could be utilised to produce estimates of any problematic drug use in any specified location providing the necessary data is available. Details: Dublin: Trinity College, 2011. 180p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed September 21, 2016 at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249326915_Developing_and_Implementing_Models_for_the_Prevalence_Incidence_and_Geographic_Spread_of_Opiate_Use_in_Ireland Year: 2011 Country: Ireland URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249326915_Developing_and_Implementing_Models_for_the_Prevalence_Incidence_and_Geographic_Spread_of_Opiate_Use_in_Ireland Shelf Number: 145575 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug PolicyHeroinIllegal DrugsOpiates |
Author: Morgan, Nick Title: New opiate and crack-cocaine users: characteristics and trends Summary: This paper uses a range of datasets and methodologies to: - obtain working estimates for the number of individuals in England who started using opiates/crack from 2005 to 2013; - examine the characteristics of these individuals. The main findings of the paper are as follows. It is estimated that around 5,000 to 8,000 individuals started using opiates or crack-cocaine in 2013. There is a high degree of uncertainty around this figure due to the sparse data on this population, but sense-checks based on treatment and criminal justice system data suggest the true figure is unlikely to be much larger than 10,000. Data also suggest that the number of current opiate/crack initiates involved with crime may be even lower. The number of arrestees testing positive for the first time for opiates (or for both opiates and crack-cocaine) dropped from 14,750 in 2006 to 4,281 in the first 11 months of 2013, a fall of around 70 per cent . Furthermore, of the new positive testers in 2013, only 721 were aged 18-24. Though this arrestee data will capture only a proportion of the true population, it does suggest that the number of new, young initiates involved with crime - those who have the potential to inflict most societal harm - has decreased markedly, probably just to a few thousand per year; and that this group now make up a small minority of the total number of opiate/crack-cocaine users (estimated to be 294,000 in 2011/12), most of whom are older, longer-term users. In terms of trends in new opiate/crack-cocaine users, all available data suggest that figures have dipped by at least a fifth since 2005 and have dropped hugely since the late 1980s and early 1990s when the opiate/crack-cocaine population in the UK grew very rapidly. The current estimate works out at a rate of 0.18 per 1,000 population. During the epidemic years, published estimates of new opiate/crack-cocaine users in Manchester and Bolton show rates more than 11 times larger. However, the findings also suggest that between 2011 and early 2014, the number of new opiate/crack-cocaine users stopped decreasing and instead stabilised at a (historically) low level. Further analysis was conducted to try and determine whether this was a precursor to a new rise in initiates. Though the data are not totally conclusive, the results suggest that a marked increase in new opiate/crack-cocaine users in the near future is unlikely. If anything, findings suggested that the downward trend may be set to resume. Analysis also revealed some possible changes in characteristics of the new opiate/crack- cocaine initiates. There is a trend in the treatment data towards new initiates coming to treatment earlier in their drug-using careers than previous cohorts and also to have initiated use at an older age. Currently it is not possible to determine whether this is a reporting issue or a genuine shift in the age profile of new opiate/crack-cocaine users. The report has several important policy implications. Even though numbers of new initiates involved with crime have dropped to the low thousands, putting downward pressure on crime, identification and early diversion to treatment remains paramount. Frontier Economics have estimated that the average lifetime crime cost of an injecting drug user is 445,000, so the potential for social harm - even from a small number of individuals - remains large and potentially long-lasting. This means local areas need to manage both the (relatively large) stock of current users, and the (much smaller) flow of new initiates, whose treatment needs may be different. There is no evidence of any new epidemic in this country, but given the impact of the epidemic of the 80s and early 90s on crime, ongoing monitoring of recent trends is required to spot early signs of any emerging problems. Details: London: Home Office, 2016. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report 90: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493524/horr90-opiate-crack-cocaine-users.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493524/horr90-opiate-crack-cocaine-users.pdf Shelf Number: 145133 Keywords: CocaineDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug OffendersOpiates |
Author: Kane-Willis, Kathleen Title: A Multiple Indicator Analysis of Heroin and Opiate Use in Missouri: 2001-2011 Summary: It has been well documented that heroin use is rising in the Midwest, and Missouri is no exception. According to DEA reports, Midwest heroin availability indicators increased by 50% from 2008 to 2010 and the Midwest has the second highest rate of the four regions of the US. Only the Eastern states rank higher. Demand from oxycodone users who substitute heroin for prescription opiates has increased the use of heroin throughout the Midwest, including certain portions of the state of Missouri. Twenty-four percent of law enforcement agencies in Missouri indicate that heroin is the greatest drug threat, while only 13% of law enforcement agencies indicate that cocaine is the major drug threat in their Missouri community; In the St. Louis area, including, St. Louis City and St. Louis County, St. Charles, St. Francis, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln, Warren and Washington Counties, heroin was the second most common illicit drug seized after marijuana, accounting for nearly 17% of seizures; Kansas City's heroin problem is worsening and the availability of the heroin has greatly increased in the Kansas City metropolitan area since 2007. Prescription opiate use has increased in general over the past 20 years, rising from approximately 76 million prescriptions in 1991 to 210 million prescriptions in 2010. In Missouri, opiate use is not confined to one part of the state. Opiate medications, also known as prescription painkillers, are highly available in Missouri. Missouris rate of prescription opiate pills sold is ranked first in the census region, higher than Kansas, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois; Oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most commonly abused controlled prescription drugs in Kansas City. Law enforcement have disbanded multi-million dollar drug trafficking rings; In the St. Louis region and surrounding counties, prescription opiate seizures by police were nearly as common as methamphetamine seizures (4.6% versus 5.2% of all drug seizures). Hospitalizations for Opiates/Heroin From 2006 to 2010, the percentage of heroin or opiate abuse diagnoses in Missouri emergency rooms rose 63.1%. In 2010, a total of 28,498 Missouri residents were admitted to local hospitals seeking medical assistance for concerns associated with illicit drug use. More than 13,000 drug hospitalizations involved the use of heroin and opiates; Nearly half (45.8%) of all hospital admissions for drugs were due to heroin and other opiates; Patients admitted to hospitals in St. Louis were most likely to mention heroin or opiate use (52.8%), followed by patients in Springfield (48.1%), patients in Non-Metropolitan Statistical Areas (47.1%), Columbia (39.8%), Joplin (39.5%), Kansas City (33.7%), and St. Joseph counties (28.3%). Public Treatment Admissions over Time From 2001 to 2011, public treatment admissions in Missouri for heroin and other opiates have increased dramatically and significantly, surpassing cocaine and other drugs of abuse. While the focus in Missouri has been primarily on methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, the drug threat from heroin and other opiates is significant. In 2011, opiates and heroin combined made up 26% of all drug treatment admissions (excluding alcohol)and were the second most common reason to enter treatment behind marijuana in 2011; Methamphetamine comprised just 19% and cocaine just 13% of treatment admissions; Opiate treatment admissions increased more than sevenfold (645% increase) between 2001 and 2011; Heroin treatment admissions more than doubled (increasing 150%) between 2001 and 2011 Heroin treatment admissions made up just 7% of all drug admissions in 2001.By 2011, heroin was involved in 16% of all drug treatment admissions; Opiate treatment admissions accounted for just 1% of all treatment admissions in 2001, but in 2011 the number had risen to 10%; Demographic Changes in Heroin Users Individuals most likely to use public treatment are younger than they were in the past. Additionally, the increasing numbers of females in public treatment systems and the increase of white users indicate, that like much of the country, demographics of Missouri heroin users have shifted into a new cohort. The rise of younger white users has been documented across the country. In Missouri, the patterns are the same: more whites entering treatment, more accounts of suburban use, and fewer gender differences: Today the majority of those entering treatment for heroin are aged 30 or younger (55%), while in 2001 those under 30 represented the minority of treatment admissions (43%); Today, more than 41% of those entering treatment are female, but 10 years ago, two thirds of those entering public treatment for heroin were male, while just one third were female; Today, whites comprise the majority (60%) of publicly funded treatment admissions while African Americans make up just 30% of treatment admissions for heroin. This is in stark contrast to ten years ago when African Americans comprised the majority of heroin treatment admissions. Demographic Changes in Opiate Use There is an assumption that opiate users are from predominantly rural areas, but as evidenced by multiple Missouri data indicators, this is not the case. It is important to recognize the relationship between heroin and opiate users. Many heroin users begin their use with opiate pills and transition to heroin as pills become too difficult or expensive to obtain. When thinking about opiate users, it is essential to understand that today’s opiate user may very likely become tomorrow’s heroin user. Today, the majority of those entering treatment for opiates other than heroin are white (92%), indicating no significant change since 2001. The opiate treatment population is comprised of both females and males equally (52% v 48%).The percentage of younger people who are admitted to Missouri’s public treatment systems for opiates other than heroin has increased significantly. The majority of those admitted to public treatment were aged 30 or younger in 2011 while in 2001, users aged 30 or younger represented the minority of those admitted to treatment (56.5% in 2011 versus 38.4% in 2001); Mortality Nationally, accidental drug overdoses nearly tie motor vehicle accidents as the number one cause of accidental death. Missouri has been impacted greatly by drug deaths: Deaths due to heroin more than tripled in just 4 years (increasing 254% from 69 deaths in 2007 to 244 in 2011); Missouri’s drug overdose rate is significantly higher than the US rate at 13.1 per 100,000 individuals, while the US rate is 11.9 per 100,000; Missouri's drug overdose rate ranked first in the region, surpassing Illinois, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Missouri's drug overdose rate was more than double that of Nebraska and nearly twice as high as Iowa. Details: s.l.: Missouri Recovery Network, 2013. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2017 at: http://www.morecovery.org/pdf/HeroinPaper.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.morecovery.org/pdf/HeroinPaper.pdf Shelf Number: 141089 Keywords: Drug Abuse and Addiction Heroin Opiates |
Author: Hay, Gordon Title: Estimates of the Prevalence of Opiate Use and/or Crack Cocaine Use, 2014/15: Sweep repor Summary: This report presents the findings of Sweep 11 of the estimates of the prevalence of opiate and/or crack cocaine use (OCU) in England, covering 2014/15. These continue the long time series of OCU prevalence estimates, starting in 2004/05 and most recently reported for 2011/12. The estimated number of opiate and/or crack cocaine users (OCUs) aged 15-64 in England in 2014/15 was 300,783 (95% CI: 297,986 to 311,128). Within this group, there are an estimated 257,476 people (95% CI: 255,440 to 266,643) that use opiates and an estimated 182,828 people (95% CI: 176,675 to 190,782) that use crack cocaine. The estimated prevalence rates for England per thousand population in 2014/15 were 8.57 (95% CI: 8.49 to 8.86) for OCU, 7.33 (95% CI: 7.28 to 7.60) for opiate use and 5.21 (95% CI: 5.03 to 5.43) for crack cocaine use. The estimated prevalence rates for England per thousand population in each age group in 2014/15 were 4.42 (95% CI: 4.23 to 5.09) in the 15 to 24 age group, 12.36 (95% CI: 12.07 to 12.98) in the 25 to 34 age group and 8.58 (95% CI: 8.38 to 8.85) in the 35 to 64 age group. The North East region had the highest estimated rate in the 25 to 34 age group, the North West region had the highest rate in the 35 to 64 age group and London had the highest estimated rate in the 15 to 24 age group. The estimated number of OCUs in England increased by 2% when compared to 2011/12 (293,879 to 300,783). The estimated number of opiate users increased slightly by 0.5% (256,163 to 257,476). Neither increase was statistically significant. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the estimated number of crack cocaine users of 10% between 2011/12 and 2014/15 (166,640 to 182,828). There was an 18% increase between 2011/12 and 2014/15 in the estimated number of OCUs in the East of England, which was statistically significant. However, the highest rates for both OCU overall and opiate use continue to be in the north of England, with the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber all having estimated rates of OCU above 10 per thousand population. London has the highest estimated rate of crack cocaine use in 2014/15, at 6.63 per thousand, although the point estimate fell slightly, from 6.96 per thousand in 2011/12. The estimated number of OCUs in the 35 to 64 age group increased by 18% between 2011/12 and 2014/15 (152,127 to 178,875) while there was a 16% decrease in the estimated number aged 25 to 34 (109,124 to 91,808). Both these changes were statistically significant, and these findings follow a long-term ageing trend in the OCU population. There was a decrease of 7% in the estimated number of OCUs aged 15 to 24 between 2011/12 and 2014/15 (32,628 to 30,190), which was not statistically significant. Details: London: Public Health England, 2017. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2017 at: http://www.cph.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Estimates-of-the-Prevalence-of-Opiate-Use-and-crack-cocaine-use-2014-15.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cph.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Estimates-of-the-Prevalence-of-Opiate-Use-and-crack-cocaine-use-2014-15.pdf Shelf Number: 147608 Keywords: Cocaine Drug Abuse and Addiction Drug Offenders Opiates |
Author: King County Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force Final Report and Recommendations Title: Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force: Final Report and Recommendations Summary: Heroin and opioid use are at crisis levels in King County. In 2015, 229 individuals died from heroin and prescription opioid overdose in King County alone. To confront this crisis, in March 2016, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Renton Mayor Denis Law and Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus convened the Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force. The Task Force, co-chaired by the King County Department of Community and Human Services and Public Health - Seattle & King County, was charged with developing both short and long-term strategies to prevent opioid use disorder, prevent overdose, and improve access to treatment and other supportive services for individuals experiencing opioid use disorder. The Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force met over a six month period from March to September 2016 to review 1) current local, state and federal initiatives and activities related to prevention, treatment and health services for individuals experiencing opioid use disorder; 2) promising strategies being developed and implemented in other communities; and 3) evidence-based practice in the areas of prevention, treatment and health services. The Task Force strived to avoid redundancy with other related activities and to leverage existing partnerships and activities where appropriate. Additionally, the Task Force applied an equity and social justice lens to the work to ensure that recommendations do not exacerbate, but rather lessen, inequities experienced by communities of color as a direct result of the "War on Drugs." This report provides a summary of the group's recommendations to both prevent opioid addiction and improve opioid use disorder outcomes in King County. Details: Seattle: The Task Force, 2016. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2018 at: https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/community-human-services/behavioral-health/documents/herointf/Final-Heroin-Opiate-Addiction-Task-_Force-Report.ashx Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/community-human-services/behavioral-health/documents/herointf/Final-Heroin-Opiate-Addiction-Task-_Force-Report.ashx Shelf Number: 150055 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug TreatmentOpiatesPrescription Drug AbuseSubstance Abuse Treatment |