Addiction
-
The rapid emergence of myriad substances openly marketed as 'legal highs' is straining traditional drug control systems which require time and basic scientific data on harms to react, presenting governments with the dilemma of no response or a disproportionate response. Some countries have side-stepped this using novel policy and legislative approaches. Should other countries consider them? ⋯ Every EU country should have existing laws for protecting public health that can be applied swiftly yet proportionately to new drugs appearing on the open market with minimum political involvement. It seems the key is the speed, not the weight, of response. Given support for their enforcement mechanisms, these systems might be as effective and more efficient than the old ones.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Evidence of HIV epidemics among non-injecting drug users in Iran: a systematic review.
In Iran, injecting drug users have been recognized as a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS for years. However, evidence of HIV epidemics in non-injecting drug users (non-IDUs) has also been found in recent years. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of HIV in non-IDUs in Iran. ⋯ Iran is facing a major HIV epidemic among non-injecting illicit drug users, which necessitates an urgent preventive response.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Differences in the profile of neonatal abstinence syndrome signs in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed neonates.
To compare the profile of signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed infants. ⋯ The profile of neonatal abstinence syndrome differs in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed neonates, with significant differences in incidence, severity and treatment initiation time. Overall, methadone-exposed neonates have a more severe neonatal abstinence syndrome.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Neonatal neurobehavior effects following buprenorphine versus methadone exposure.
To determine the effects of in utero exposure to methadone or buprenorphine on infant neurobehavior. ⋯ While neurobehavior improves during the first month of postnatal life for in utero agonist medication-exposed neonates, buprenorphine exposure results in superior neurobehavioral scores and less severe withdrawal than does methadone exposure.
-
A network of Stop Smoking Services has been set up within the National Health Service (NHS) in England. The services deliver a combination of behavioural support and medication. It is important to establish the degree of variability in quit rates attributable to differences between individual practitioners, to gauge the scope for improvement by training and professional support. The aim of the present analysis was to examine how far short-term quit rates depend on the practitioner delivering the intervention after adjusting for potential confounding variables. ⋯ Individual stop smoking practitioners appear to differ to a significant degree in effectiveness. It is important to examine what underlies these differences in order to improve selection, training and professional development.