Drug and alcohol review
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Drug and alcohol review · Sep 2016
Health knowledge and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural Bangladesh: Cross-sectional survey.
The aim of this study was to investigate health knowledge, attitudes and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural Bangladesh. ⋯ Large gaps exist in rural Bangladeshi women's understanding of the adverse health effects of STC. Health awareness campaigns should highlight the consequences of STC. Routine screening and cessation advice should be provided in primary healthcare and smokeless tobacco control strategies should be implemented. [Hossain MS, Kypri K, Rahman B, Akter S, Milton AH. Health knowledge and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural Bangladesh: Cross-sectional survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:514-522].
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Drug and alcohol review · May 2016
Multicenter StudyThe hidden costs of drug and alcohol use in hospital emergency departments.
This study estimates the burden of drug and alcohol morbidity on hospitals in New South Wales (NSW) by observing a multi-site collective sample utilising survey information and data linkage. Specifically we aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems and to estimate patterns of utilisation of hospital services, costs of presentations, and admissions for patients with AOD problems. ⋯ This study demonstrates a need for AOD interventions in the emergency department setting, both because it represents an opportunity for intervention in a population in which problems with substance use is highly prevalent, and because there is evidence that AOD imposes additional costs on the health system. [Butler K, Reeve R, Arora S, Viney R, Goodall S, van Gool K, Burns L. The hidden costs of drug and alcohol use in hospital emergency departments. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:359-366].
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Drug and alcohol review · May 2016
Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm-reduction opportunities.
Alcohol pricing is an effective prevention policy. This paper compares the 10 Canadian provinces on three research-based alcohol pricing policies-minimum pricing, pricing by alcohol content and maintaining prices relative to inflation. ⋯ While examples of evidence-based alcohol pricing policies can be found in every jurisdiction in Canada, significant inter-provincial variation leaves substantial unrealised potential for further reducing alcohol-related harm and costs. This comparative assessment of alcohol price policies provides clear indications of how individual provinces could adjust their pricing policies and practices to improve public health and safety. [Giesbrecht N, Wettlaufer A, Thomas G, Stockwell T, Thompson K, April N, Asbridge M, Cukier S, Mann R, McAllister J, Murie A, Pauley C, Plamondon L, Vallance K. Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm-reduction opportunities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:289-297].
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2016
Diversion and injection of buprenorphine-naloxone film two years post-introduction in Australia.
We report 2 years of post-marketing surveillance of the diversion and injection of buprenorphine-naloxone (BNX) film following its introduction in 2011. ⋯ Two years post-introduction, levels of BNX film diversion and injection remained comparable with those for methadone and BNX tablets, and lower than mono-buprenorphine. We found no evidence that BNX film has lower non-adherence and diversion than the tablet formulation. [Larance B, Mattick R, Ali R, Lintzeris N, Jenkinson R, White N, Kihas I, Cassidy R, Degenhardt L. Diversion and injection of buprenorphine-naloxone film two years post-introduction in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015].
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2016
The extramedical use and diversion of opioid substitution medications and other medications in prison settings in Australia following the introduction of buprenorphine-naloxone film.
Around 65% of people incarcerated in prisons in Australia, America and Europe have a history of drug dependence, sometimes treated with opioid substitution treatment (OST) medications. Studies report that those in treatment in prison do engage in some level of diversion to others, whether on a voluntary or coerced basis. We aimed to examine the use of prescribed and non-prescribed OST medications by those in prisons, especially buprenorphine-naloxone film (BNX-F); the extent of non-adherence and diversion and reasons for such practices; and the impact of the introduction of BNX-F into the prison system. ⋯ Despite prison being a highly regulated and controlled environment, some level of diversion and sharing of psychoactive medication occurs among prisoners. The buprenorphine formulations used in OST present particular challenges with respect to supervised dosing in this setting. [White N, Ali R, Larance B, Zador D, Mattick RP, Degenhardt L. The extramedical use and diversion of opioid substitution medications and other medications in prison settings in Australia following the introduction of buprenorphine-naloxone film. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;●●:●●-●●].