The International journal on drug policy
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Int. J. Drug Policy · May 2014
Unintentional opioid overdose deaths in New York City, 2005-2010: a place-based approach to reduce risk.
Drug poisoning is the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States. In New York City (NYC), unintentional drug poisoning death is the third leading cause of premature death, and opioids are the most commonly occurring class of drugs. Opioid overdose prevention efforts aim to decrease the number of people at risk for overdose and to decrease fatality rates among those using opioids by improving overdose response. These strategies can be enhanced with a comprehensive understanding of the settings in which overdoses occur. ⋯ The sample represents a near census of unintentional opioid overdose deaths in NYC during the study period, and allows for the identification of demographic and drug-using patterns by setting of overdose. Because most opioid overdoses occur inside the home, opioid overdose response programs can most efficiently address the epidemic by both reducing the risk of overdose in the home and targeting those who may be in the home at the time of an overdose for overdose response training. Approaches include minimizing risk of misuse and diversion through safe storage and safe disposal programs, physician education on prescribing of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines, prescription of take-home naloxone, and Good Samaritan laws.
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Int. J. Drug Policy · May 2014
Public opinion of drug treatment policy: exploring the public's attitudes, knowledge, experience and willingness to pay for drug treatment strategies.
Research evidence is strong for opiate replacement treatment (ORT). However, public opinion (attitudes) can be at odds with evidence. This study explored the relationships between, attitudes, knowledge of drugs and a range of socio-demographic variables that potentially influence attitude. This is relevant in the current policy arena in which a major shift from harm reduction to, rehabilitation is underway. ⋯ There is a gap between public attitudes and evidence regarding drug treatment. Findings suggest a way forward might be to develop and evaluate treatment that integrates ORT with a community rehabilitative approach. Evaluation of public engagement/education to improve knowledge of drug treatment effectiveness is recommended.
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Int. J. Drug Policy · May 2014
Establishing expertise: Canadian community-based medical cannabis dispensaries as embodied health movement organisations.
In this commentary, I describe how, through both advocacy and the generation of new knowledge, community-based medical cannabis dispensaries have contributed to the broader dialogue regarding the legal and safe provision of medical cannabis in Canada. By employing an embodied health movement framework (Brown et al., 2004), this analysis highlights the role of dispensaries in creating new knowledge, challenging existing practices, and advancing their agenda to legitimise cannabis as a therapeutic substance and offer an alternative model for its provision. Although the community-based, holistic approach that dispensaries offer has not been adopted by the Canadian government, dispensaries have achieved success in being recognized as credible stakeholders and experts in the ongoing debate on the legal provision of medical cannabis in Canada.
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Int. J. Drug Policy · May 2014
Is there any legal and scientific basis for classifying electronic cigarettes as medications?
The rapid growth in the use of electronic cigarettes has been accompanied by substantial discussions by governments, international organisations, consumers and public health experts about how they might be regulated. In the European Union they are currently regulated under consumer legislation but new legislation will regulate them under the Tobacco Products Directive. However, several countries have sought to regulate them under medicines regulations. ⋯ They are not used to treat nicotine addiction or other disease, but to enable continued use of nicotine. Their use is adjusted individually by each consumer according to his or her perceived pleasure and satisfaction. Gaps in current regulation regarding safety and quality can be met by tailored regulations.