Drug and alcohol review
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2014
Smokeless tobacco consumption in the South Asian population of Sydney, Australia: prevalence, correlates and availability.
AIM.: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among the South Asian residents of Sydney, Australia. ⋯ Given the availability of smokeless tobacco and the high prevalence and potential adverse health consequences of consumption, smokeless tobacco consumption may produce a considerable burden of non-communicable disease in Australia. Effective control measures are needed, in particular enforcement of existing laws prohibiting the sale of these products.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2014
Correlations between prescription opioid analgesic dispensing levels and related mortality and morbidity in Ontario, Canada, 2005-2011.
Prescription opioid analgesic (POA)-related harms constitute a major public health problem in North America. Ontario features above-average POA use levels in Canada and has seen consistent increases in related mortality and morbidity. Recent studies documented strong correlations between POA dispensing levels and related harm outcomes on population levels. We examined correlations between POA dispensing and key POA-related mortality and morbidity indicators in Ontario, 2005-2011. ⋯ POA dispensing levels were found to be strongly correlated with mortality and morbidity (treatment) indicators. Targeted and sensible reductions of POA use level would likely constitute a primary measure to reduce POA-related harms on a population level, especially in a jurisdiction with high POA consumption levels.