Drug and alcohol dependence
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2021
Factors associated with health-related cannabis use intentions among a community sample of people who inject drugs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA 2016 to 2018.
Cannabis motivations have been studied extensively among patients of medicinal cannabis dispensaries, but less is known about motivations in community samples of opioid-using people who inject drugs. Our objective is to describe cannabis use motivations associated with self-treatment of physical pain, emotional issues, and as an opioid substitute. ⋯ People who inject drugs reported using cannabis for health-related motivations. This motivation aligns with health needs and suggests the acceptability of cannabis use for health reasons in this population. Studies to determine the medical effectiveness of cannabis products for these common health and mental health needs among people who inject drugs are needed.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2021
Trends in various e-cigarette devices used by high school adolescents from 2017-2019.
Adolescent e-cigarette use has increased recently; however, little is known about trends in use of specific devices by youth. This study aims to 1) compare rates of e-cigarette device use over time, 2) examine changes in frequency of device use, and 3) identify predictors of device use. ⋯ From 2017-2019, JUUL, disposable/cig-a-like, and vape pens increased in popularity and were used frequently. Tobacco regulations designed to reduce youth use should consider various device types.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2021
Association between observing peers vaping on campus and E-cigarette use and susceptibility in middle and high school students.
This study examines the association between exposure to e-cigarette use on school campus and e-cigarette use behaviors among adolescents in the United States. ⋯ Observing e-cigarette use on school campus was associated with greater odds of e-cigarette use and susceptibility. It is plausible that observing e-cigarette use on campus reinforces the social acceptability of adolescent e-cigarette use. Findings inform on the prevalence of e-cigarettes use on-campus as well as how this phenomenon may influence e-cigarette use/susceptibility among youth. The observed relationship highlights the role of schools in the efforts to reduce adolescent e-cigarette use.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2021
Changes in opioid prescribing after implementation of mandatory registration and proactive reports within California's prescription drug monitoring program.
In 2016, California updated its prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), adding two key features: automated proactive reports to prescribers and mandatory registration for prescribers and pharmacists. The effects of these changes on prescribing patterns have not yet been examined. We aimed to evaluate the joint effect of these two PDMP features on county-level prescribing practices in California. ⋯ California's implementation of these two PDMP features was associated with decreases in the total quantity of opioid MMEs prescribed, and indicators of patients prescribed high-dose opioids compared to states that had PDMP's without these features. Rates of opioid prescribing and other high-risk prescribing patterns remained unchanged.