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Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2016) | Viewed by 47414

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Amie Hayley

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
Interests: drug abuse; drug additiciton; driving performance; drug driving; sleep medicine; sleep disorders; psychiatry

Dr. Joris C. Verster

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Guest Editor

1. Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
2. Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
Interests: immune fitness; COVID-19; mood; sleep; alcohol; hangover
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Substance abuse represents a significant and increasing societal problem, which has numerous implications for areas of general and psychiatric health, family and community functioning, economics, and governmental policy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) cites that as many as 3.3 million people are killed globally as a result of the immediate and peripheral effects of substance use, and as much as 0.7% of the global burden of disease in 2004 was directly attributable to illicit substance use. Alarmingly, this figure is considered to be increasing, and, thus, action is urgently required to reduce both the personal and societal impact of this issue.

Drug use and misuse represents a growing area of concern, of which the etiology and natural course is often complex and multifaceted in nature. Recent trends in global patterns of substance use have indicated increased production, trafficking, and consumption of illicit substances, with specific peaks and trends noted in a number of developing countries and among specific age groups and demographics. Despite these observations, true representations of the implications of substance use are often impeded by improved masking techniques employed by both drug users and suppliers, and, thus, these trends are likely underrepresented.

Substance use is frequently implicated where instances of significant trauma are observed, such as road-traffic accidents, violence, and medical emergencies. Drug affected drivers are typically overrepresented among individuals injured and killed due to traffic accidents, which often puts considerable strain on primary and secondary healthcare resource. However, those driving under the influence of drugs are being increasingly detected as a result of recent advancements in efficient and reliable assessment techniques, thereby alleviating a small amount of this burden. Violence and medical emergencies that occur due to substance abuse is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly among groups of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. These effects have significant implications for aspects of personal and familial relations and health, as well as community and social cohesion. Despite this, there is currently a lack of effective preventative measures to address these issues both at on a personal and social platform, and thus robust strategies are urgently required if these issues are to be effectively addressed.

The economic, legislative, health, and medical impact of drug use are substantial, and constitute a growing health concern. The cause and consequences of substance use is multifaceted, complex, and diverse, and often transcends many aspects of personal, social, and societal platforms. Therefore, an effective, socially mobilising and multiplatform approach is urgently required if the burdens associated with drug use are to be addressed.

This Special Issue is open to any subject area related to “Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention”. The listed keywords suggest just a few of the many possibilities.

Dr. Amie Hayley
Dr. Joris C Verster
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Drug abuse
Drug addiction
Public Health
Substance use control/policies
Drug legislation impact (health, economics)
Psychosocial impact of substance use
Effects of drugs on driving and traffic safety
Drug use and health outcomes
Economic impact of substance use

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multilevel Study of Students in Vietnam: Drinking Motives and Drinking Context as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption

by Pham Bich Diep, Frans E. S. Tan, Ronald A. Knibbe and Nanne De Vries

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(7), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070710 - 13 Jul 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5745

Abstract

Background: This study used multi-level analysis to estimate which type of factor explains most of the variance in alcohol consumption of Vietnamese students. Methods: Data were collected among 6011 students attending 12 universities/faculties in four provinces in Vietnam. The three most recent drinking occasions were investigated per student, resulting in 12,795 drinking occasions among 4265 drinkers. Students reported on 10 aspects of the drinking context per drinking occasion. A multi-level mixed-effects linear regression model was constructed in which aspects of drinking context composed the first level; the age of students and four drinking motives comprised the second level. The dependent variable was the number of drinks. Results: Of the aspects of context, drinking duration had the strongest association with alcohol consumption while, at the individual level, coping motive had the strongest association. The drinking context characteristics explained more variance than the individual characteristics in alcohol intake per occasion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that, among students in Vietnam, the drinking context explains a larger proportion of the variance in alcohol consumption than the drinking motives. Therefore, measures that reduce the availability of alcohol in specific drinking situations are an essential part of an effective prevention policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Substance Use and Misuse among Kosovar Adolescents; Cross Sectional Study of Scholastic, Familial-, and Sports-Related Factors of Influence

by Enver Tahiraj, Mladen Cubela, Ljerka Ostojic, Jelena Rodek, Natasa Zenic, Damir Sekulic and Blaz Lesnik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(5), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13050502 - 16 May 2016

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7228

Abstract

Adolescence is considered to be the most important period for the prevention of substance use and misuse (SUM). The aim of this study was to investigate the problem of SUM and to establish potentially important factors associated with SUM in Kosovar adolescents. Multi-stage simple random sampling was used to select participants. At the end of their high school education, 980 adolescents (623 females) ages 17 to 19 years old were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption (measured by Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test–AUDIT), and illegal drug use (dependent variables), as well as socio-demographic, scholastic, familial, and sports-related factors (independent variables), were assessed. Boys smoke cigarettes more often than girls with daily-smoking prevalence of 16% among boys and 9% among girls (OR = 1.85, 95% = CI 1.25–2.75). The prevalence of harmful drinking (i.e., AUDIT scores of >10) is found to be alarming (41% and 37% for boys and girls, respectively; OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.87–1.48), while 17% of boys and 9% of girls used illegal drugs (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.35–2.95). The behavioral grade (observed as: excellent–average-poor) is the factor that was most significantly correlated with SUM both in boys and girls, with lower behavioral grades among those adolescents who consume substances. In girls, lower maternal education levels were associated with a decreased likelihood of SUM, whereas sports achievement was negatively associated with risky drinking. In boys, sports achievement decreased the likelihood of daily smoking. Information on the factors associated with SUM should be disseminated among sports and school authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

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598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of 20 Selected Fruits on Ethanol Metabolism: Potential Health Benefits and Harmful Impacts

by Yu-Jie Zhang, Fang Wang, Yue Zhou, Ya Li, Tong Zhou, Jie Zheng, Jiao-Jiao Zhang, Sha Li, Dong-Ping Xu and Hua-Bin Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(4), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13040399 - 01 Apr 2016

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6825

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol is often accompanied by other foods, such as fruits and vegetables. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of 20 selected fruits on ethanol metabolism to find out their potential health benefits and harmful impacts. The effects of the fruits on ethanol metabolism were characterized by the concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde in blood, as well as activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in liver of mice. Furthermore, potential health benefits and harmful impacts of the fruits were evaluated by biochemical parameters including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase. Generally, effects of these fruits on ethanol metabolism were very different. Some fruits (such as Citrus limon (yellow), Averrhoa carambola, Pyrus spp., and Syzygium samarangense) could decrease the concentration of ethanol in blood. In addition, several fruits (such as Cucumis melo) showed hepatoprotective effects by significantly decreasing AST or ALT level in blood, while some fruits (such as Averrhoa carambola) showed adverse effects. The results suggested that the consumption of alcohol should not be accompanied by some fruits, and several fruits could be developed as functional foods for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

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296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Concurrent Heroin Use and Correlates among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clients: A 12-Month Follow-up Study in Guangdong Province, China

by Xiaofeng Luo, Peizhen Zhao, Xiao Gong, Lei Zhang, Weiming Tang, Xia Zou, Wen Chen and Li Ling

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030305 - 09 Mar 2016

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4672

Abstract

Objective: To assess concurrent heroin use and correlates among Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) clients in Guangdong Province, China. Method: Demographic and drug use data were collected with a structured questionnaire, and MMT information was obtained from the MMT clinic registration system in Guangdong. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected status and urine morphine results were obtained from laboratory tests. Logistic regressions were employed to investigate the factors associated with concurrent heroin use. Results: Among the 6848 participants, 75% continued using heroin more than once during the first 12 months after treatment initiation. Concurrent heroin use was associated with inharmonious family relationship (OR (odds ratio) = 1.49, 95% CI (confidence intervals): 1.24–1.78), HIV positivity (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.55), having multiple sex partners (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.07–1.69), having ever taken intravenous drugs (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.95), higher maintenance dose (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.28) and poorer MMT attendance (OR_<20% = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13–1.53; OR_20%– = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14–1.54; OR_50%– = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.44–2.00). Among those who used heroin concurrently, the same factors, and additionally being older (OR_35– = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11–1.43; OR_≥45 = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.30–2.05) and female (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.28–2.00), contribute to a greater frequency of heroin use. Conclusions: Concurrent heroin use was prevalent among MMT participants in Guangdong, underscoring the urgent needs for tailored interventions and health education programs for this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Associated with Relapse among Heroin Addicts: Evidence from a Two-Year Community-Based Follow-Up Study in China

by Chao Rong, Hai-Feng Jiang, Rui-Wen Zhang, Li-Juan Zhang, Jian-Chen Zhang, Jing Zhang and Xue-Shan Feng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13020177 - 28 Jan 2016

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6312

Abstract

Background: Many countries including China are facing a serious opiate dependence problem. Anti-drug work effectiveness was affected by the high relapse rate all over the world. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing heroin addict relapse, and to provide evidence for generating relapse prevention strategies. Methods: A community-based follow-up study was conducted in China between October 2010 and September 2012. A total of 554 heroin addicts in accordance with the inclusion criteria from 81 streets in 12 districts of Shanghai, China were divided into 4 groups: group 1—daily dosage taken orally of 60 mL of methadone or under combined with psychological counseling and social supports (n = 130); group 2—daily dosage taken orally of over 60 mL of methadone combined with psychological counseling and social supports (n = 50); group 3—JTT (Jitai tablets) combined with psychological counseling and social supports (n = 206); group 4—JTT combined with social supports (n = 168). Results: Log-rank test results showed that the cumulative relapse rate differences among four groups during the two-year follow-up period were not statistically significant (χ² = 5.889, p = 0.117). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that only three independent variables were still statistically significant, including compliance with participation in psychological counseling (OR = 3.563, p = 0.000), the years of drug use (OR = 1.078, p = 0.001)and intervention model. Conclusions: Using the detoxification medications combined with appropriate psychological counseling and social support measures will help improve the effectiveness of relapse prevention, which is a kind of alternative community detoxification pattern. Appropriate and standard psychological counseling is very important for anti-drug treatment. The longer the drug addiction lasts, the longer the anti-drug treatment takes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

Review

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1294 KiB

Open AccessReview

Are Non-Pharmacological Interventions Effective in Reducing Drug Use and Criminality? A Systematic and Meta-Analytical Review with an Economic Appraisal of These Interventions

by Amanda E. Perry, Rebecca Woodhouse, Matthew Neilson, Marrissa Martyn St James, Julie Glanville, Catherine Hewitt and Dominic Trépel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(10), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13100966 - 29 Sep 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6560

Abstract

Background: The numbers of incarcerated people suffering from drug dependence has steadily risen since the 1980s and only a small proportion of these receive appropriate treatment. A systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and economic evidence of non-pharmacological interventions for drug using offenders was conducted. Methods: Cochrane Collaboration criteria were used to identify trials across 14 databases between 2004 and 2014. A series of meta-analyses and an economic appraisal were conducted. Results: 43 trials were identified showing to have limited effect in reducing re-arrests RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.89–1.07) and drug use RR 0.90 (95% CI 0.80–1.00) but were found to significantly reduce re-incarceration RR 0.70 (95% CI 0.57–0.85). Therapeutic community programs were found to significantly reduce the number of re-arrests RR 0.70 (95% CI 0.56–0.87). 10 papers contained economic information. One paper presented a cost-benefit analysis and two reported on the cost and cost effectiveness of the intervention. Conclusions: We suggest that therapeutic community interventions have some benefit in reducing subsequent re-arrest. We recommend that economic evaluations should form part of standard trial protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

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540 KiB

Open AccessReview

Alcoholic Beverage Consumption and Chronic Diseases

by Yue Zhou, Jie Zheng, Sha Li, Tong Zhou, Pei Zhang and Hua-Bin Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(6), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13060522 - 24 May 2016

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 9064

Abstract

Epidemiological and experimental studies have consistently linked alcoholic beverage consumption with the development of several chronic disorders, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and obesity. The impact of drinking is usually dose-dependent, and light to moderate drinking tends to lower risks of certain diseases, while heavy drinking tends to increase the risks. Besides, other factors such as drinking frequency, genetic susceptibility, smoking, diet, and hormone status can modify the association. The amount of ethanol in alcoholic beverages is the determining factor in most cases, and beverage types could also make an influence. This review summarizes recent studies on alcoholic beverage consumption and several chronic diseases, trying to assess the effects of different drinking patterns, beverage types, interaction with other risk factors, and provide mechanistic explanations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

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