International Journal of Drug Policy最新文献

{"title":"Cannabis consumption and motor vehicle collision: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies","authors":"Andrew Jin ,&nbsp;Andrea J. Darzi ,&nbsp;Amne Dargham ,&nbsp;Navroop Liddar ,&nbsp;Sepehr Bozorgi ,&nbsp;Shamim Sohrevardi ,&nbsp;Maurice Zhang ,&nbsp;Kian Torabiardakani ,&nbsp;Rachel J. Couban ,&nbsp;Malahat Khalili ,&nbsp;Jason W. Busse ,&nbsp;Behnam Sadeghirad","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104832","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104832","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Increasing legalization of recreational cannabis and availability of cannabinoid products has resulted in expanded use, which is associated with adverse effects including concerns over increased risk of motor vehicle collision (MVC). We aimed to explore the association between cannabis consumption and MVC.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane library, SCOPUS, PsycInfo, Web of Science, TRID from inception to November 2024. We included studies assessing the association between cannabis consumption on MVC fatalities, any injuries, and culpability/unsafe driving actions. Pairs of reviewers independently screened search results, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We used a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model for all meta-analyses and the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We included 31 studies with 328,388 individuals. Low certainty evidence suggests that cannabis consumption may be associated with an increased risk of MVC fatality (8 studies, OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.98) with an absolute risk increase (ARI) of 14 more deaths per 100,000 MVC’s. Low certainty evidence from 9 case-control studies suggests cannabis consumption may be associated with an increased risk of injury due to MVC (OR 2.00, [95% CI: 1.31-3.07]; absolute risk increase of 6.8%). We are uncertain about the association of cannabis consumption with MVC culpability/unsafe driving action as the evidence was only very low certainty.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Low certainty evidence suggests that cannabis consumption may increase risk of MVC fatality and risk of injury from MVC. The association between cannabis use and risk of unsafe driving is uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Protocol registration</h3><div>CRD42022357478</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 104832"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143941219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in hepatitis C virus infections after implementation of an expanded treatment program in New Mexico state prisons","authors":"Gaelyn R.D. Archer ,&nbsp;Paulina Deming ,&nbsp;Juan A. Ceniceros ,&nbsp;Laura E. Tomedi ,&nbsp;David Selvage ,&nbsp;Karla Thornton","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104833","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104833","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Numerous leading health organizations have developed plans to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV), but the success of these efforts can only be assessed through systematic monitoring of infections. People in prison are at very high risk for HCV infection and New Mexico (NM) prisons have one of the highest rates of HCV in the US For nearly two decades NM Corrections Department (NMCD) and Project ECHO® have been partnering to treat HCV in NM state prisons, including a significant expansion in treatment in 2020. Since the start of the treatment scale-up in 2020, 2981 people have been treated. Treatment expansion also allowed for the expanded data collection on HCV testing as people enter the prison system. The purpose of this analysis was to assess changes in HCV infections in state prisons after treatment expansion.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>From February 2021 to November 2024, ECHO received weekly reports on entrants coming into the prisons who tested positive for HCV antibody (Ab) and/or HCV RNA. Demographic and clinical details were only available for the entrants who are HCV RNA positive (viremic), so we were unable to adjust for demographics. Poisson regression was used to assess changes in the RNA positivity (HCV viremia) and Ab positivity among the total entrant population.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 7689 entrants, 3917 (50.9 %) were Ab positive and 2456 (31.9 %) were viremic. HCV viremia among all entrants decreased significantly over time (Poisson rate ratio (RR): 0.9989, CI: 0.9981 - 0.9996, <em>p</em> = &lt; 0.01). Ab positivity among all entrants did not change (Poisson RR: 1.0, CI: 0.9999 - 1.00, <em>p</em> = 0.08).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>HCV viremia has decreased among entrants of NM state prisons, but Ab positivity has not changed. Other factors could be influencing the decrease in HCV viremia, including community treatment and shifting patterns in injection drug use, but it is likely that the expansion of treatment in carceral settings among high-risk populations is contributing to the decline in HCV viremia in prisons statewide. The collaboration between NMCD and Project ECHO may be contributing to decreasing HCV in state prisons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 104833"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143928848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tranq burn: Exploring the etiology of xylazine-related soft tissue injuries","authors":"Daniel Ciccarone ,&nbsp;George Karandinos ,&nbsp;Alex Krotulski ,&nbsp;Jeff Ondocsin ,&nbsp;Nicole Holm ,&nbsp;Fernando Montero ,&nbsp;Max Denn ,&nbsp;Christopher Moraff ,&nbsp;Sarah Mars","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104830","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104830","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>‘Tranq dope’ is a combination of xylazine and fentanyl that is increasingly common in the US. Frequently injected, its use appears related to severe skin and soft tissue wounds (SSTW) through an unknown mechanism. Previous research suggests that the high acidity of certain heroin source-forms contributes to vein damage and SSTW, however, the possibility of a role between the acidity of tranq dope and SSTW is understudied.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A convenience sample of persons who use drugs participated in semi-structured interviews (Philadelphia, Oct. 2023, <em>n</em> = 30). Observations of wounds/injection locations were made. We analyzed narrative data for perceptions of wound causation. Our partner lab analyzed the pH of 10 independently obtained samples, including tranq dope (<em>n</em> = 4), street opioids without xylazine (<em>n</em> = 2), xylazine alone (<em>n</em> = 2), and street stimulants (<em>n</em> = 2).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Observed SSTW were extraordinarily severe. Several themes emerged related to wound etiology: 1) tranq dope injection caused burning sensations; 2) vein loss occurred rapidly following uptake of tranq dope; 3) vein loss resulted in increased injection attempts, the use of large central veins (e.g., jugular and femoral), as well as more frequent ‘skin-popping’; and 4) wounds (called ‘tranq burn’) rapidly followed vein loss. The average pH of the samples was 4, with samples containing fentanyl ranging from pH 2.1–5.9; samples containing xylazine ranging from pH 3.6–5.9; and the cocaine sample with a pH of 3.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>While this study cannot confirm a causal role, our findings of reported burning sensations and moderate to high acidity of lab-tested drugs are coherent with reported rapid vein loss following initiation of tranq injection. This, in turn, lends early support to a synergistic hypothesis of tranq-related SSTW etiology: vein loss and subcutaneous injections stem from the injection of acidic drugs followed by poor tissue perfusion from vasoconstriction due to xylazine. Possible harm reduction interventions include dilution and buffering. Stigma reduction and enhanced wound care are required in harm reduction and clinical settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 104830"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transitions to legal cannabis markets: Legal market capture of cannabis expenditures in Canada following federal cannabis legalization","authors":"David Hammond ,&nbsp;Daniel Hong ,&nbsp;Samantha Rundle ,&nbsp;Maryam Iraniparast ,&nbsp;Beau Kilmer ,&nbsp;Elle Wadsworth","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104828","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104828","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Canada legalized ‘recreational’ or ‘non-medical’ cannabis in 2018 with a primary objective of displacing illicit cannabis and transitioning consumers to a ‘quality controlled’ legal retail market. To date, there is limited research on legal market capture in jurisdictions with non-medical cannabis markets.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The current analysis used ‘demand-side’ methods to estimate the size of the Canadian cannabis market using data from two sources. First, data from the Canadian Community Health Survey were used to estimate the number of Canadians who use cannabis. Second, data on cannabis expenditures from legal versus illegal sources were analyzed from 5656 past 12-month consumers aged 16–100 who completed national surveys conducted in 2022 as part of the International Cannabis Policy Study.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Total estimated expenditures from legal sources were within two percentage points of the ‘actual’ retail sales data from Government of Canada’s tracking system. In the 12-month period ending in September 2022, total cannabis expenditures in Canada were estimated at $6.72 billion dollars, including $5.23 billion from legal sources and $1.49 billion from illegal sources for an estimated legal market capture of 78 %. In 2022, dried flower accounted for 55 % of total legal expenditures and an additional 2 % was spent on plants and seeds. Concentrates accounted for 12 % of legal expenditures, followed by oral liquids (11 %), vaping liquids (10 %), and edibles (8 %, excluding drinks).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings provide evidence of substantial transition in expenditures from the illegal to the legal market in the five years since legalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 104828"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143916400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Describing the evolution of three features of China’s drug policy: Regulation, crime and punishment, and rehabilitation","authors":"Yixuan Wang ,&nbsp;Jianhong Liu ,&nbsp;Hao Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104827","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104827","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In view of evolving problematic drug use patterns and shifts in social governance, China’s drug control efforts have undergone significant changes over the past few decades. The aim of this paper is to describe the evolution of three features of China’s drug policy. First, although still operating within a reactive framework, the legislative basis for drug control is progressively improving and exhibits shifts towards greater precision and responsiveness, especially with reference to New Psychoactive Substances. Second, the scope of drug crimes under criminal law has broadened, accompanied by a trend toward harsher sentencing. This trend signifies the punitive and deterrent objectives in addressing drug crimes. Third, despite notable improvements, the current rehabilitation system remains focused on containment and control, with punitive undertones. These features exhibit a high degree of overlap and are shaped by shared underlying logics. While these transformations have been influenced by historical, political and international circumstances and environments, the principle of prohibition remains deeply rooted in the policy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"140 ","pages":"Article 104827"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143906198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review of intervention strategies aimed at chemsex users","authors":"Daniel Íncera-Fernández ,&nbsp;Andrés R. Riquelme ,&nbsp;Alejandro Sánchez-Ocaña ,&nbsp;Francisco Montesinos ,&nbsp;Manuel Gámez-Guadix","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Interventions on chemsex, namely, the intentional use of specific drugs to enhance or intensify sexual experiences by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, are diverse. Despite evidence of their impact on physical, mental, and sexual health, there is no clear agreement on the best intervention strategies and approaches. In this review, we aimed to analyze and synthesize existing research on interventions addressing chemsex among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender and non-binary people.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a systematic search of the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SciELO for articles published between April and May 2024. In total, 272 articles were identified, of which 12 were reviewed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Despite the limited evidence and heterogeneity of the findings, the results suggested that the available interventions can improve various factors associated with sexual, mental, and physical health.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This systematic review provides a better understanding of the interventions aimed at addressing chemsex. However, the paucity of available treatments underscores the need to implement evidence-based intervention programs aimed at improving the health of people involved in chemsex beyond mere screening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"140 ","pages":"Article 104795"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143912918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of scaling up harm reduction interventions on injecting risk behaviours, ART outcomes and HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Kenya","authors":"Josephine G. Walker ,&nbsp;Matthew J. Akiyama ,&nbsp;Adelina Artenie ,&nbsp;Charles M. Cleland ,&nbsp;John A. Lizcano ,&nbsp;Helgar Musyoki ,&nbsp;Mercy Nyakowa ,&nbsp;Peter Cherutich ,&nbsp;Ann E. Kurth ,&nbsp;Peter Vickerman","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104824","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104824","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Little data exists on the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Africa. We used empirical data from Kenya to fill this evidence gap.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Six rounds of bio-behavioural surveys using respondent-driven-sampling were conducted among PWID in Nairobi and Coastal Kenya over 2012–2015. Dried blood spot samples were tested for HIV and HIV viral load, and HIV incidence was estimated through linking participants between rounds. Regression analyses evaluated whether self-reported usage of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) or needle and syringe programmes (NSP) in last year were associated with reduced injecting risk behaviours, increased ART uptake and viral suppression, and reduced risk of HIV acquisition.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, 4897 PWID participated in the study, with 3903 participating in &gt;1 round. Over the rounds, coverage increased from zero to 80–86 % for NSP and zero to 10–20 % for OAT. The proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) that were virally suppressed increased from 7–14 % to 39–55 %. Accessing NSP and OAT was associated with reduced syringe sharing at last injection (NSP adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.31; 95 %CI:0.24–0.40; OAT aOR=0.046; 95 %CI:0.034–0.061) and OAT was associated with reduced injecting frequency (adjusted rate ratio=0.21; 95 %CI:0.12–0.36). Using OAT was associated with increased ART coverage (aOR=2.76; 95 %CI:1.50–5.06) and viral suppression (aOR=2.99; 95 %CI:1.78–5.03) among PLHIV, while NSP was not. HIV incidence decreased from 6.10 (95 %CI:3.56–9.77) to 1.49 (95 %CI:0.79–2.54) per 100 person-years between the first and second half of the study. Accessing NSP was associated with lower HIV incidence (adjusted hazard ratio=0.25; 95 %CI:0.087–0.58).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides strong evidence for the benefits of NSP and OAT on varied HIV outcomes among PWID in Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"140 ","pages":"Article 104824"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143904455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in ketamine use among nightclub attendees in New York City, 2017–2024","authors":"Joseph J. Palamar","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104825","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104825","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ketamine-related poisonings and law enforcement seizures have been increasing in the United States, but population surveys suggest that recreational use has been rare with trends being relatively stable. This study aimed to estimate trends and correlates of use among nightclub attendees—a population known for high prevalence of party drug use.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Adults entering randomly selected nightclubs in New York City were surveyed in 2017 (<em>n</em> = 674), 2018 (<em>n</em> = 724), 2019 (<em>n</em> = 541), 2021 (<em>n</em> = 160), 2022 (<em>n</em> = 322), and 2024 (<em>n</em> = 911) (total <em>N</em> = 3332; 56.3 % male, 52.7 % age ≥26). Trends in lifetime, past-year, and past-month ketamine use were estimated using logistic regression, and correlates and trends in characteristics of people who used in the past month were also estimated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Between 2017 and 2024, lifetime ketamine use increased from 16.6 % to 22.7 % (a 36.7 % increase), past-year use increased from 7.4 % to 14.3 % (a 94.0 % increase), and past-month use increased from 3.1 % to 6.8 % (an 118.1 % increase, Ps&lt;0.001). Past-month use particularly increased among those aged ≥26 (by 222.0 %), females (by 216.6 %), those with a college degree (by 161.0 %), and among people who identify as bisexual or “other” sexuality (by 445.0 %), and among those who used cocaine (by 213.8 %), ecstasy/MDMA (by 94.9 %), and/or LSD (238.2 %) in the past month (Ps&lt;0.01). Identifying as gay/lesbian (aOR=2.03, 95 % CI: 1.19–3.48) and past-month use of cocaine (aOR=8.17, 95 % CI: 4.97–13.43) in particular were associated with increased odds for past-month use.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Recreational ketamine use is increasing among this population so an increased focus on both prevention and harm reduction is needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"140 ","pages":"Article 104825"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Restrictive and permissive alcohol policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with alcohol consumption in the United States","authors":"Julia M. Lemp ,&nbsp;Carolin Kilian ,&nbsp;Sophie Bright ,&nbsp;William C. Kerr ,&nbsp;Laura Llamosas-Falcón ,&nbsp;Nina Mulia ,&nbsp;Jürgen Rehm ,&nbsp;Charlotte Probst","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol researchers anticipated that psychological distress and changes in alcohol availability would impact alcohol consumption patterns. While psychological distress was expected to increase alcohol use, particularly among vulnerable groups, restrictive alcohol policies might have led to reduced consumption. This study examined the complex relationship between psychological distress, alcohol policies, alcohol consumption, and their interactions with sociodemographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We used 2020–21 US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS, <em>N</em> = 726,962 adults) data to analyze associations between psychological distress, alcohol policy scores, and alcohol consumption, considering age, sex, education, race and ethnicity, and COVID-19 government response as covariates in a zero-inflated multi-level regression. State-level monthly alcohol policy scores derived from Alcohol Policy Information System data reflect the restrictiveness and permissiveness of alcohol policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Psychological distress and exposure to restrictive policies increased the likelihood of abstaining from alcohol in the past month, although the observed effects were small. Among past-month drinkers, distress and restrictive policies were associated with slightly higher average daily consumption in pure alcohol grams/day. Younger respondents were more likely to abstain from alcohol when exposed to restrictive policies, while permissive policies correlated with higher drinking prevalence and heavy episodic drinking occurrence among those with higher education.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Alcohol policies and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic were linked to both lower and higher alcohol consumption in different population subgroups. Restrictive and permissive policies had diverging associations with consumption patterns across subgroups. While effect sizes were modest, they could translate into meaningful changes in alcohol consumption at the population level, especially during prolonged times of crisis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"140 ","pages":"Article 104826"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the need for overdose prevention centers in England: A qualitative community-based participatory study on the perspectives of people who use drugs in public and semi-public environments","authors":"Benjamin D. Scher ,&nbsp;Mat Southwell ,&nbsp;Magdalena Harris ,&nbsp;Alex Stevens ,&nbsp;Benjamin W. Chrisinger ,&nbsp;David K. Humphreys ,&nbsp;Gillian W. Shorter","doi":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104816","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104816","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Overdose prevention centres (OPCs) have been implemented as a harm reduction response in around 20 countries; with one just opened in the UK. In a context of rising rates of drug-related deaths, this study aimed to assess the need for an OPC in Sandwell, England, by examining the experiences and perspectives of local people who use drugs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Qualitative data were collected through three focus groups, 20 street-based interviews with people who use drugs, and observations from four ethnographic field sessions. This was a community-based participatory project and included community consultation during study design and peer researcher participation during data collection, analysis and dissemination.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Findings evidence how the threat of public and police interaction in semi-public drug use spaces leads to rushed injection practice, hampers poor venous access management, and increases risk of injection-related harms. Participants were enthusiastic about the concept of an OPC and its potential to reduce injecting-related risks, drug-related death, provide safety, and prevent traumatic experiences with police. Participants also highlighted concerns about negative public perceptions of their community, viewing an OPC as a potential solution to improving community relations by reducing drug-related litter.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>There is an urgent need for OPC implementation, given current risks from rushed injection practices, the lack of safe spaces, and the increasing presence of nitazenes and other unexpected contaminants in the UK drug supply. The assertion from local people who drugs that an OPC would be an appropriate and effective intervention requires prioritisation by policymakers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48364,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Drug Policy","volume":"140 ","pages":"Article 104816"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}