Drug and alcohol dependence
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2020
Adolescent menthol cigarette use and risk of nicotine dependence: Findings from the national Population Assessment on Tobacco and Health (PATH) study.
Menthol cigarettes appeal to adolescents because they mask the harsh taste and sensation of tobacco smoke thereby making it easier to inhale the smoke. As a result, menthol cigarette users expose themselves to higher levels of nicotine relative to non-menthol cigarettes and increase their risk for developing nicotine dependence. We examined whether adolescent menthol smokers (vs. non-menthol smokers) reported higher nicotine dependence. ⋯ Findings suggest that menthol cigarette smokers are not just more physically dependent on nicotine but also experience increased emotional attachments to cigarettes compared to their non-menthol smoking peers. Because adolescents are vulnerable to developing nicotine dependence, tobacco control policies that restrict youth access to menthol cigarettes are urgently needed.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2020
Comparative StudyThe association between pain clinic laws and prescription opioid exposures: New evidence from multi-state comparisons.
States in the US are controlling opioid prescribing to combat the opioid epidemic. Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) were widely adopted, whereas less attention was given to pain clinic laws. This study examined the associations of mandatory use of PDMPs and pain clinic laws with prescription opioid exposures. ⋯ This multi-state study provided new evidence that the implementation of pain clinic laws was associated with a significant reduction in prescription opioid exposures. Pain clinic laws may deserve further evaluation and consideration.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2020
Cannabis legalization, tobacco prevention policies, and Cannabis use in E-cigarettes among youth.
E-cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among youth. As more states adopt cannabis legalization policies, youth cannabis use in e-cigarettes is a mounting concern. ⋯ Cannabis use in e-cigarettes has increased among youth, and these trends will likely continue as e-cigarettes continue to gain popularity and cannabis legalization policies proliferate. Targeted tobacco and cannabis prevention strategies are needed for youth, especially in states that have implemented cannabis 'medical and recreational laws.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2020
Racial differences in overdose events and polydrug detection in Indianapolis, Indiana.
We examine racial disparities in drug overdose death rates by analyzing trends in fatal and nonfatal overdose outcomes in a large metropolitan area (Indianapolis, Indiana). ⋯ Recent racial disparities in overdose deaths are driven by a combination of fentanyl and cocaine, which disproportionally impacts African American drug users, but may be addressed through expanded harm reduction and community outreach services. Additionally, there is a need to assess the role of differing practices in overdose emergency service provision as a contributing factor to disparities.