Journal of Drug Issues最新文献

Background: Co-occurring drug use among U.S.-born Latinas is underexamined. This study examines the relationship between polydrug use patterns and social inequality among low-income Mexican American women.

Methods: Data stems from 199 Mexican American adult women collected during the follow-up period of Proyecto SALTO, a longitudinal cohort study. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified patterns of past month's marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine, and heroin use. Age-adjusted multinomial logistic regressions were conducted between covariates and latent classes.

Results: LCA identified three classes: Non/Low-Use, 60.30% (n=120); Marijuana Use, 27.64% (n=55); and Polydrug Use, 12.06% (n=24). Marijuana and Polydrug Use classes had lower socioeconomic status indicators compared to the Non/Low-Use group.

Conclusion: Though our sample's drug use remains high compared to the general population, the largest class was Non/Low-Use. Low socioeconomic status and fractured family relationships were found to increase susceptibility for marijuana and polydrug use. Recognizing and addressing socioeconomic conditions is critical for tailored interventions.

Background: This study examined the impact of criminal conviction and incarceration in emerging adulthood on subsequent substance use - alcohol, marijuana, hard drugs - through age 36. Method: Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) were analyzed. Group-based trajectory modeling and multinomial logistic regression were performed. Results: Both conviction and incarceration increased the likelihood of being in a binge drinking, marijuana use or hard drug-use class, rather than being in the non- or low-use reference class. The pattern of justice system involvement (JSI) increasing the odds of being in a problem substance use class was seen more consistently for conviction than incarceration. Juvenile substance use - marijuana particularly - predicted adult substance use. Conclusion: Taking steps to ameliorate the impact of justice system involvement on individuals' subsequent life and health trajectories should be an area of concern for researchers and practitioners.

Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is safe and efficacious for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), yet there is limited understanding of how attitudes and subjective norms regarding MOUD among individuals with OUD may impede treatment uptake. Thus, the current study describes attitudes and subjective norms in a sample of individuals with OUD in the St. Louis area (N = 183) and compares outcomes among those who were and were not actively taking MOUD. Most endorsed positive views regarding pharmacologic treatment for OUD overall, but concerns about physical side effects, the daily nature of some MOUD options, and uncertainty about the relative risks and benefits of MOUD remained prevalent. Individuals reporting current MOUD use had more accepting attitudes and perceived subjective norms regarding MOUD compared to others, suggesting that interventions targeting improvements in the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and normalization of MOUD are needed to further improve uptake and retention in pharmacotherapy for OUD.

Residents of Kentucky are at-risk for harms related to the opioid epidemic and involvement in the criminal legal system (CLS) further increases those risks. In 2015, Kentucky legalized syringe service programs (SSPS) to provide low-threshold access to harm reduction services including syringe exchange, naloxone distribution, and linkage to care. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations (Gelbert et al., 2000) was used to investigate factors associated with SSP utilization among people who inject drugs involved in the CLS in Kentucky. One traditional predisposing factor (high school education/GED), one vulnerable need factor (injection drug use in the six months prior to incarceration), two traditional enabling factors (access to public transportation, incarceration after SSPs legalized for one year), and one vulnerable enabling (having used naloxone on someone else) were associated with SSP utilization. Results of this study highlight future directions for research on SSP utilization among people who are involved in the CLS.

Compared to alcohol-only use, co-use of alcohol and cannabis is becoming increasingly more common. Impulsivity and perceived norms are two factors related to increased substance use among young adults, but few studies have examined their role in co-use. The purpose of this study was to examine whether impulsivity facets moderated the associations between perceived norms (descriptive and injunctive) for co-use frequency. Participants were college students who completed an online survey regarding their impulsivity, norms, and co-use behaviors. In the descriptive norms model, findings revealed lack of premeditation was negatively associated with co-use frequency. There was a significant interaction between descriptive norms and lack of perseverance on co-use frequency. In the injunctive norms model, findings revealed that injunctive norms were positively associated with co-use frequency; lack of premeditation was negatively associated with co-use frequency. Perceived norms and some impulsivity facets may serve as risk factors for increased co-use frequency.

Introduction: Individuals in treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) use tobacco at much higher rates than the general population. Qualitative research can help identify successful implementation approaches for tobacco-free policy interventions in SUD treatment, but qualitative post-intervention evaluation studies are limited.

Methods: Directors of sixteen residential SUD treatment programs participated in a multi-year tobacco-free policy intervention. Semi-structured interviews (n = 32) were conducted at 12- and 18 months post-intervention. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically to determine implementation barriers and supports.

Results: Supports for tobacco-free policies included a broader wellness context, alternatives to smoking, community partnerships, gradual change, and patient inclusion. Barriers were patient cessation challenges, staff resistance, and insufficient capacity.

Conclusion: Implementation of tobacco-free policies in residential SUD treatment programs is feasible but requires significant planning and support. Single state agencies and other substance use treatment authorities should allocate more resources to support implementation of tobacco-free policies in SUD treatment.

Substance use and carceral system involvement are often connected, highlighting the need for services that support recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) among those leaving carceral facilities. Recovery housing offers both housing and recovery support. However, no prior study has examined whether recovery housing and carceral facilities are co-located. Using data from the National Study of Addiction and Treatment Recovery Residences (2020-2021, N=10,358), we examined availability of recovery housing proximate to carceral facilities. Results show that recovery residences are often collocated with state and federal prisons and detention centers in the US. Specifically, the odds of having any recovery housing are 74% higher and recovery housing density is 35% higher than in counties without state prisons (ps < 0.001). There were similar findings for federal prisons. Future studies involving individuals with SUD who are leaving state and federal carceral facilities should examine factors facilitating and inhibiting access to recovery housing as well as how recovery housing affects the communities in which they are located.

Pre-booking diversion enables police officers to divert individuals to supportive services in lieu of prosecution for minor crimes related to substance use. We surveyed 204 Philadelphia Police Department officers authorized to initiate pre-booking diversions. We used bivariate x² tests and multivariate logistic regression to examine differences in respondent perspectives. 78% agreed that pre-booking diversion provides important services to people who use drugs, 69% wanted to expand the geographic score of programming, and 52% wanted to expand eligibility. Yet 59% questioned whether diversion is "what police should be doing", and only 27% believed that it will improve public safety. In logistic regression, the perceived value that the police department places on referrals correlated with agreement that PAD improves safety, provides important services for people who use drugs, and fits within officers' role. Tension between beliefs that the program provides important services but may not improve safety reflects both potential value and inherent challenges of pre-booking diversion models.