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Monthly Archives: November 2009

Harm reduction policies for tobacco users

Abstract: Tobacco harm reduction is a controversial policy due to the experience with filtered and ‘light’ cigarettes and concerns that the tobacco industry will use reduced harm products to undermine tobacco control strategies. The most promising harm reduction products are high dose pharmaceutical nicotine preparations and low nitrosamine smokeless tobacco, such as Swedish snus. However, despite widespread availability, existing pharmaceutical nicotine preparations have not been taken up by smokers as an alternative to smoking

Coexisting or conjoined: The growth of the international drug users’ movement through participation with International Harm Reduction Association…

The development of the international drug users’ movement has been intrinsically linked to the growth and development of the international harm reduction movement but more particularly with the annual International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) conferences. These conferences gave drug user activists a chance to meet in an environment where our lives were being talked about and our treatments decided and our views have, over the years, been given increasing consideration. The impetus for us to have a visible presence was extremely important

Coexisting or conjoined: The growth of the international drug users’ movement through participation with International Harm Reduction…

The development of the international drug users’ movement has been intrinsically linked to the growth and development of the international harm reduction movement but more particularly with the annual International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) conferences. These conferences gave drug user activists a chance to meet in an environment where our lives were being talked about and our treatments decided and our views have, over the years, been given increasing consideration. The impetus for us to have a visible presence was extremely important.

Warning labels on alcohol containers as a source of information on alcohol consumption in pregnancy among New Zealand women

Abstract: Background: The addition of a warning label on alcohol containers is a policy measure yet to be adopted in New Zealand. The current study aims to report the rating of a national sample of 16–40-year-old non-pregnant New Zealand women on a warning label on alcohol containers as a source of information on risks associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy.Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2005 on a random sample of 1129 non-pregnant women aged 16–40 years. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire using a Web-assisted telephone interviewing system.Results: Overall, the survey achieved a response rate of 65%.

Methadone as HIV prevention: High Volume Methadone Sites to decrease HIV incidence rates in resource limited settings

Abstract: The link between injection drug use and HIV has been extensively described. Despite worldwide prevention efforts, injection drug use continues to be a risk factor for HIV transmission and both HIV and injection drug use continues to spread across the globe.

Integrated programs for women with substance use issues and their children: a qualitative meta-synthesis of processes and outcomes

Background: There is a need for services that effectively and comprehensively address the complex needs of women with substance use issues and their children. A growing body of literature supports the relevance of integrated treatment programs that offer a wide range of services in centralized settings.

Curbing the menace of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries

Several reports suggest that antimicrobial resistance is an increasing global problem; but like most pandemics, the greatest toll is in the less developed countries. The dismally low rate of discovery of antimicrobials compared to the rate of development of antimicrobial resistance places humanity on a very dangerous precipice

Feasibility of buprenorphine and methadone maintenance programmes among users of home made opioids in Ukraine

Conclusion: These data show the successful implementation of OST in the Ukraine among drug users who were predominantly injectors of self-made opioid solutions.

Prevention programs in the 21st century: what we do not discuss in public

Prevention research concerning alcohol, tobacco and other drugs faces a number of challenges as the scientific foundation is strengthened for the future. Seven issues which the prevention research field should address are discussed: lack of transparency in analyses of prevention program outcomes, lack of disclosure of copyright and potential for profit/income during publication, post-hoc outcome variable selection and reporting only outcomes which show positive and statistical significance at any follow-up point, tendency to evaluate statistical significance only rather than practical significance as well, problem of selection bias in terms of selecting subjects and limited generalizability, the need for confirmation of outcomes in which only self-report data are used and selection of appropriate statistical distributions in conducting significance testing. In order to establish a solid scientific base for alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention, this paper calls for discussions, disclosures and debates about the above issues (and others) as essential

Continuities and changes in self-change research

Aims A substantial literature demonstrates that natural recoveries from substance use disorders not only occur but are a common pathway to recovery. This article reviews selectively and comments on the current state-of-the-art in natural recovery research.Methods Basic concepts in natural recovery research are presented, and topical and methodological trends and changes in self-change research over time are discussed.Conclusions Although considerable progress has occurred in natural recovery research, several topics deserving of further research are identified, and implications for policy practice are discussed.