Drug and alcohol review最新文献

{"title":"Fentanyl Detection in Biological Samples From Individuals Reporting Synthetic Cannabinoid Use in São Paulo, Brazil","authors":"Ligia Goes Endo,&nbsp;Rodrigo Alves de Oliveira,&nbsp;Ivan Dieb Miziara,&nbsp;Mauricio Yonamine,&nbsp;João Maurício Castaldelli-Maia,&nbsp;Vilma Leyton,&nbsp;Henrique Silva Bombana","doi":"10.1111/dar.70266","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70266","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Brazil has historically exhibited low illicit opioid prevalence, though forensic data indicate rising fentanyl seizures, often in combination with other substances. People who use Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) are particularly vulnerable to unintentional fentanyl exposure due to the unpredictable chemical composition of these products. This study aimed to investigate the discordance between self-reported drug use and toxicological detection of fentanyl among individuals reporting recent SCRA use recruited from addiction treatment and psychosocial care centres in São Paulo.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cross-sectional study with 65 participants reporting SCRA use within the preceding 4 days, recruited from a specialised addiction treatment centre and two community-based psychosocial care centres in São Paulo. Oral fluid samples collected by independent research staff using the Quantisal device were analysed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported substance use and clinical symptoms were assessed by structured questionnaire. Exploratory multivariable logistic regression investigates factors associated with fentanyl detection.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fentanyl was detected in 32% of participants (21/65; 95% CI 21, 44), none of whom reported intentional opioid use. Fentanyl-positive participants were more likely to be experiencing homelessness (52.4% vs. 13.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.002), to report longer SCRA use duration (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and to present with nausea/vomiting (90.5% vs. 43.2%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and myalgia (61.9% vs. 11.4%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). No independent factors associated with fentanyl detection were identified in exploratory multivariable analyses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A substantial discordance between self-reported drug use and toxicological findings was observed. While the small sample size limits generalizations, these findings provide preliminary evidence that the historical assumption of negligible illicit opioid exposure in this population warrants reassessment. Whether this reflects changes in the local drug supply, underreporting of opioid use, or other exposure pathways cannot be determined from the available data. These results underscore the need for systematic toxicological surveillance and drug checking to monitor the evolving drug supply in Brazil.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13579073/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148976062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating the Conversation: How Can the News Media Responsibly Communicate Drug Use to the Australian Community?","authors":"Steph Kershaw,&nbsp;Jenny Valentish,&nbsp;Jack Nagle,&nbsp;Elizabeth Paton,&nbsp;Emily Stockings,&nbsp;Cath Chapman","doi":"10.1111/dar.70260","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70260","url":null,"abstract":"<p>News media plays an integral role in facilitating public discourse, influencing attitudes and shaping policy decisions on drugs. Negative, sensationalist or inaccurate media coverage of drugs can lead to negative or stigmatising attitudes towards people who use drugs or who are associated with drugs. This can and should be changed. The national Mindframe guidelines—which support safe and accurate reporting of suicide, mental health and alcohol and other drug use—have resulted in significant reductions in the financial and health cost ($596 million over a 5-year period and 107 quality-adjusted life years gained) associated with suicide in Australia, but are yet to demonstrate similar outcomes for alcohol and other drug use. The upcoming renewal of the Australian National Drug Strategy and ongoing policy discussions across the country represent a key opportunity to address stigma and improve non-judgemental media reporting on drugs. Less than half of national drug strategies globally provide specific actions to address stigma. The new Australian National Drug Strategy has an opportunity to show international leadership by providing clear actions and targets for addressing drug related stigma, including improving the reporting of alcohol and other drugs through greater investment and support in the dissemination, implementation and training of media in guidelines focused on responsible reporting of these issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13574718/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148967132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in Prevalence of Opioid Dependence in Scotland 2014–2023: Multi-Parameter Estimation of Prevalence","authors":"Andreas Markoulidakis,&nbsp;Matthew Hickman,&nbsp;Megan Glancy,&nbsp;Andrew McAuley,&nbsp;Lee R. Barnsdale,&nbsp;Tara Shivaji,&nbsp;Craig Collins,&nbsp;Jaroslaw Lang,&nbsp;Femke de Wit,&nbsp;Gordon Hunt,&nbsp;Sharon J. Hutchinson,&nbsp;Louisa Degenhardt,&nbsp;Hayley E. Jones","doi":"10.1111/dar.70256","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70256","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Scotland remains in the midst of a public health crisis driven by drug-related deaths, with rates reaching 2.0 per 100 person-years in 2020–22. Estimates of the prevalence of opioid dependence are critical for supporting policy decisions and better understanding the factors behind this rise.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We applied a Bayesian multi-parameter estimation of prevalence approach to estimate the prevalence of opioid dependence from 2014/15 to 2023/24. We used linked opioid agonist therapy prescriptions, mortality and hospital admission data from the Substance Use and Health Intelligence Linked Dataset.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We estimate there were 43,600 (95% credible intervals 42,000–45,400) people with opioid dependence in Scotland in 2023/24, which is 1.13% (95% credible intervals 1.09%–1.18%) of those aged 15–69. Opioid agonist therapy coverage was estimated as 61%. Estimated prevalence was higher among those aged 50–69 (0.76%) than 15–34 (0.67%). Prevalence varied across regions, being highest in Greater Glasgow &amp; Clyde (1.46%). Over the 10-year period, the estimated population size decreased by 4100 (95% credible intervals 6800 –1500).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In Scotland, prevalence of opioid dependence remains high. There are signs of a modest decline but, notably, the reduction is less than the number of opioid-related poisoning deaths over the period modelled.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13575305/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148967185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevalence Studies in School Settings: A Global Systematic Review of Methods, Measures, Strengths and Limitations","authors":"Robyn McCarthy,&nbsp;Joshua Pink,&nbsp;Leana Olivier,&nbsp;David Gilbert,&nbsp;Raja Mukherjee,&nbsp;Penny A. Cook","doi":"10.1111/dar.70233","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70233","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Issues</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a prevalent yet widely underdiagnosed neurodevelopmental condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). FASD has profound lifelong implications for affected individuals, their caregivers and society. Active case ascertainment is the gold standard for estimating FASD prevalence, but methodological variability limits comparability across studies. This review aims to systematically evaluate the methodologies and reporting practices of school-based FASD prevalence studies, with the goal of identifying best practices and informing standardised approaches to enhance the validity, reproducibility and policy relevance of future research.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Approach</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A systematic review was conducted to examine the methods, measures, strengths and limitations of school-based FASD prevalence studies. Five databases were searched using key terms associated with FASD prevalence in school settings. Identified studies were screened and data were extracted and analysed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Key Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The 29 included studies revealed variability in case definitions, diagnostic frameworks, tools and measures. Most studies employed active case ascertainment designs. Non-participation rates and details on community engagement or co-creation activities were often underreported. PAE assessment predominantly relied on maternal self-report.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite a shared goal of identifying FASD, methodological variability across studies may limit the comparability of outcomes. A lack of robust prevalence data impedes adequate funding for prevention, diagnosis and support services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Establishing a universally accepted case definition and diagnostic guidelines for FASD is essential. Reporting of community engagement and involvement of individuals with lived experience should become standard practice and the development of objective measures for PAE identification is increasingly necessary.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dar.70233","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148918092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Non-Prescribed Gabapentinoid Use: Demographic and Behavioural Risk Profiles in a Large International Sample","authors":"Jennifer Seddon,&nbsp;Monica J. Barratt,&nbsp;Cheneal Puljević,&nbsp;Jason A. Ferris,&nbsp;Adam R. Winstock,&nbsp;Emma L. Davies","doi":"10.1111/dar.70248","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70248","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The harm potential of gabapentinoids is well established, with concerns about non-medical use increasing alongside prescribing rates. However, less is known about the characteristics of people who use gabapentinoids obtained through non-prescribed routes. This study explored demographic and behavioural factors associated with gabapentinoid use, including differences between prescribed and non-prescribed sources.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data from the Global Drug Survey 2021 (<i>N</i> = 24,954). Multivariable logistic regression models identified correlates of: (i) past-year use; (ii) prescribed versus non-prescribed acquisition; and (iii) using gabapentinoids prescribed to others versus prescribed to oneself.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Past-year gabapentinoid use was reported by 2.9% of respondents. In adjusted models, past-year use was associated with being a man, reporting a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, use of benzodiazepines, opioids and illicit drugs. Among respondents who had ever used gabapentinoids (<i>N</i> = 1112), 45.6% reported using their own prescription, 27.2% used a non-prescribed source and 27.2% used medication prescribed to someone else. Non-prescribed use (i.e., not from a personal prescription) was more common among younger respondents, cis men and those reporting illicit drug or benzodiazepine use. Respondents with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions were more likely to report prescribed use.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A substantial proportion of gabapentinoid use occurs outside formal prescribing pathways, including use of medications prescribed to others. Non-prescribed use is embedded within broader substance use behaviours, highlighting specific demographic groups with higher odds of nonprescribed use. These findings underscore the importance of targeted harm-reduction responses and continued attention to diversion-prevention strategies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dar.70248","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148918237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What Works for Older Adults to Reduce Problematic Alcohol Use: A Delphi Study on Elements and Mechanisms in Interventions","authors":"Fieke A. E. van den Bulck,&nbsp;Andrea D. Rozema,&nbsp;Rob H. L. M. Bovens,&nbsp;Dike van de Mheen,&nbsp;Rik Crutzen","doi":"10.1111/dar.70237","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70237","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding elements for older adults to reduce their problematic alcohol use is important for the development of interventions. This study aimed to establish expert consensus on effective and applicable elements, including their underlying mechanisms to reduce problematic alcohol use; and explore which elements are most effective and which mechanisms are important for older adults with lower- and higher-severity problematic alcohol use, resulting in a programe theory.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A three-round questionnaire-based Delphi study was conducted in the Netherlands. In the first (<i>n</i> = 20) and second round (<i>n</i> = 18), experts with treatment, research, policy, intervention development, educational and lived experience, rated 85 elements on their effectiveness and applicability, and mechanisms on exploratory power. In the third round (<i>n</i> = 18), 40 elements and 39 mechanisms with consensus were ranked on effectiveness and importance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The most effective and applicable elements with consensus were <i>addressing age-related issues</i> and the <i>combination of drinking and smoking</i>; <i>using motivational interviewing techniques</i>; having an <i>empathic, supportive and listening practitioner</i>; and <i>having therapeutic alliance.</i> Mechanisms best explaining the elements' effectiveness were <i>enabling early identification and timely intervention,</i> and <i>feeling recognised and acknowledged in group interventions</i>. For older adults with lower-severity problematic alcohol use, insight into their use was particularly important, whereas for those with higher-severity, self-efficacy was important.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Elements and mechanisms related to motivation, personalisation, lifestyle, life stage, and relational connections with practitioners and/or group members were found particularly effective and important. The programe theory can inform the development of interventions for older adults with problematic alcohol use.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553313/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148911278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards Equivalence of Care: Integrating Custodial Settings Into Alcohol and Other Drug Strategies in Australia","authors":"Thileepan Naren,&nbsp;Jocelyn Chan,&nbsp;Sarah Pellicano,&nbsp;Michael Curtis,&nbsp;Shelley Walker,&nbsp;Jocelyn Jones,&nbsp;Jarrah Duckett,&nbsp;Alexander Campbell,&nbsp;Stuart A. Kinner","doi":"10.1111/dar.70254","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70254","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;People entering custodial settings (including police custody, youth detention and adult prisons) experience disproportionately high levels of alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related harms compared with people in the community [&lt;span&gt;1-3&lt;/span&gt;]. Yet Australian AOD policies and strategies have largely overlooked these settings as sites for AOD prevention, treatment and harm reduction. This omission is difficult to reconcile with Australia's commitment to providing people in custody with healthcare equivalent to that available in the community [&lt;span&gt;4, 5&lt;/span&gt;]. To explore this gap, we convened a pre-conference multidisciplinary workshop at the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy Conference in June 2026. Before the workshop, we conducted a structured review of Australian national and jurisdictional AOD strategies and related policy documents. These documents were uploaded into a large language model (Claude Sonnet 4.6 [&lt;span&gt;6&lt;/span&gt;]), which was used to apply a series of predefined analytic prompts to assess the extent to which police custody, youth detention and adult prisons were considered in these strategies (see Appendix A). These findings informed and were incorporated into a series of presentations and facilitated workshop discussions, during which participants identified key policy gaps and developed priority recommendations for policy reform. Drawing on the findings of the policy review and discussions from the multidisciplinary workshop, this commentary identifies key policy gaps. It outlines recommendations for better integrating custodial settings into Australian AOD strategies, advancing progress towards equivalence of care in Australian custodial settings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In Australia, almost 50,000 adults and 880 children are incarcerated in prisons and youth detention on any given day [&lt;span&gt;7, 8&lt;/span&gt;]. However, the increasing use of remand and short sentences means that the number of people moving between custodial settings and the community each year far exceeds the daily average. In the 2024–25 financial year, 72,421 adults and 4477 young people were released from prisons and youth detention [&lt;span&gt;7-9&lt;/span&gt;]. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are markedly overrepresented in all Australian custodial settings, accounting for 37% of adults and 56% of young people in custody on an average day, despite representing only 3.8% of the total Australian population [&lt;span&gt;8, 10&lt;/span&gt;]. Nationally aggregated data on the number of people passing through police custody in Australia each year are not available; however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are markedly over-represented in these settings [&lt;span&gt;11&lt;/span&gt;]. This over-representation reflects the ongoing impacts of colonisation, dispossession, intergenerational trauma, racism and systemic inequities [&lt;span&gt;12&lt;/span&gt;].&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Substance use is common among people who experience incarceration. Among 773 police detainees who provided a urine sample for t","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553154/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148911290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Online Presentation of No-, Low- and Full-Strength Alcohol in Three New Zealand Online Alcohol Retailers: Implications for Harm-Reduction Policy","authors":"Julia Vajda De Albuquerque,&nbsp;Kate Kersey,&nbsp;Natalie Walker,&nbsp;Anna Rolleston,&nbsp;Bodo Lang","doi":"10.1111/dar.70240","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70240","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The availability of no- and low-alcohol (NOLO) products could lead to reduced consumption of full-strength alcohol, although concerns exist about their marketing and links to full-strength alcohol brands. This study examines how NOLO beer and cider products are structured, categorised and presented, relative to their full-strength alcohol counterparts, within online alcohol retailers in New Zealand.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Between July–September 2024 an observational audit was conducted of three nationwide online alcohol retailers (two supermarkets, one liquor retailer). Retailer websites were assessed under relevant search and browsing conditions, examining the availability, visibility and co-presentation of NOLO and full-strength alcohol products, the proportion of NOLO brands with a full-strength alcohol variant and the visibility of information about alcohol content.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Full-strength alcohol products appeared on two of the three retailers' home pages, whereas NOLOs were absent. NOLOs comprised 7%–9% of beers/ciders offered. Between 2% and 11% of full-strength alcohol beers/ciders were miscategorised as NOLOs. Searches using NOLO-related terms returned 11%–100% full-strength alcohol products. NOLO products were less prominent than full-strength alcohol products across browsing and search conditions, and usually lower cost. Most NOLOs (83%–92%) were line extensions of full-strength alcohol brands. Between 14% and 33% of NOLO products lacked clear alcohol content information.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Inconsistencies in the categorisation, presentation and labelling of NOLO and full-strength alcohols were observed in all three online alcohol retailers. These features shape how consumers will encounter alcohol products online and may contribute to consumer confusion. Policy measures to improve the clarity and consistency of online alcohol retail presentation are warranted.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13549763/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148905383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing Spectroscopy-Based Drug Checking Training: A Proof-of-Concept Study for the Use of Concordance Analysis","authors":"Yarelix Estrada,&nbsp;Jeffery Sauer,&nbsp;Leonardo Dominguez,&nbsp;Mia Borrelli,&nbsp;Sarah A. Shuda,&nbsp;Amanda L. A. Mohr","doi":"10.1111/dar.70246","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70246","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Drug checking is a harm reduction strategy that provides information to people who use drugs. Currently, there is a lack of standardised, replicable methods to assess drug checking technicians' use of spectroscopy-based technologies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper introduces concordance analysis as a method to assess drug checking technician accuracy using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Drug checking technicians provided point-of-care drug checking services, including FTIR, at participating syringe service programs in New York City beginning in November 2021. Drug checking technicians analysed drug samples and identified compounds based on spectra, test strips and contextual information provided by the individuals submitting samples. The drug checking technician results were compared to results obtained from a secondary laboratory testing partner. Technicians aimed to achieve a 90% concordance rate for sample composition determinations in the field as compared to secondary laboratory testing results.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Two drug checking technicians encountered a total of <i>N</i> = 362 samples over the course of their training periods. Concordance analysis showed that both technicians completed their training period above the target accuracy level (Technician A 137/151 or 90.7% concordant, Technician B 196/211 or 92.9% concordant). The training periods for Technician A and Technician B were 33 and 38 weeks, respectively. Both technicians demonstrated improvement over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These results indicate that drug checking technicians with no formal background in analytical chemistry are able to accurately identify compounds present in real-world drug samples using an FTIR, thus supporting the merit of these techniques in drug checking programs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13547430/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential Iatrogenic Harms From Medicinal Cannabis Prescribing in Australia: A Case Series","authors":"Richard Bradlow,&nbsp;James Sorensen,&nbsp;Anna Cunningham,&nbsp;Sean Daugherty,&nbsp;Eric Hadinata,&nbsp;Ferghal Armstrong,&nbsp;Nazila Jamshidi","doi":"10.1111/dar.70255","DOIUrl":"10.1111/dar.70255","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Medicinal cannabis prescribing in Australia has increased markedly, including for psychiatric indications where evidence of benefit is limited and of low certainty. The rise of highly commercialised prescribing models has raised concerns regarding patient safety, particularly for those with pre-existing psychiatric or addiction vulnerabilities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Case Presentation</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This case series describes three young men (aged 20–24) with psychiatric disorders and substance use vulnerabilities who were prescribed medicinal cannabis. The cases illustrate potential iatrogenic harms, including cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis use disorder, paranoia, affective instability and the delaying of other treatment. In two cases, prescribing continued despite emerging adverse outcomes or a formal request for cessation of prescribing from an addiction specialist.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These cases highlight the potential iatrogenic harms associated with the current medicinal cannabis prescribing practices in Australia, especially among those with psychiatric and substance use vulnerabilities. More rigorous, evidence-aligned prescribing, clearer exclusion criteria and a lower threshold for discontinuation when harms emerge are needed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":"45 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148864040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}