The Risk Factors For Ecstasy And Related Drug Overdose: A Case-crossover Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,755.00
Summary
Our ability to respond to the emergent harms of Ecstasy and Related Drug (ERD) use is hampered by our lack of understanding of the practices users engage in that place them at risk of harm. This study will examine the risk factors for non-fatal ERD Emergency Department (ED) admission in a sample of non-fatal ERD overdose victims recruited through two hospital EDs in Melbourne. The research involves a case-crossover study of the risk factors for ERD-related ED admission, as well as a detailed cas ....Our ability to respond to the emergent harms of Ecstasy and Related Drug (ERD) use is hampered by our lack of understanding of the practices users engage in that place them at risk of harm. This study will examine the risk factors for non-fatal ERD Emergency Department (ED) admission in a sample of non-fatal ERD overdose victims recruited through two hospital EDs in Melbourne. The research involves a case-crossover study of the risk factors for ERD-related ED admission, as well as a detailed case series of ERD-related ED admissions. The case-crossover investigation will involve a comparison between behaviours occurring prior to the critical drug use episode with typical drug use behaviours and more specifically those occurring prior to a control use episode (another occasion on which ERDs were used). Data will be collected by Researchers positioned in the ED, with information collected on the specifics of the critical and control use episodes through interviews with participants following stabilisation and a return to consciousness. The case series will be established from all ERD-related ED admissions flagged as such by triage nurses. Potential risk factors under study will include the environmental conditions in which the drug was used (eg time of day, physical location), other drug taking behaviour, personal factors (eg asthma, depression) and other dose-related issues (eg amount purchased, source of purchase). Statistical analysis will establish the major differences between the critical, typical and control use episodes. The proposed research will examine risk factors for ERD-related harms within the context of an understanding of the usual practices and behaviour of users of these drugs. Identifying transient change in risk behaviours will provide a foundation for developing contextually-sensitive strategies for harm minimisation. The development of a detailed case series will impact upon the treatment and management of acute ERD-related harms.Read moreRead less
An investigation of illicit tobacco use - its prevalence, economic impact and the motivations and perceptions of consumers. Black market tobacco costs the Australian government at least $450 million in lost taxes per annum. Little is known about the prevalence and economics of illicit tobacco use, or the motivations, attitudes and perceptions of consumers. Using a national telephone survey of licit and illicit tobacco consumers, we will investigate their economic thresholds, decision-making pr ....An investigation of illicit tobacco use - its prevalence, economic impact and the motivations and perceptions of consumers. Black market tobacco costs the Australian government at least $450 million in lost taxes per annum. Little is known about the prevalence and economics of illicit tobacco use, or the motivations, attitudes and perceptions of consumers. Using a national telephone survey of licit and illicit tobacco consumers, we will investigate their economic thresholds, decision-making processes, and perceptions of health effects. Our work will lead to improved supply and demand reduction measures for illicit tobacco, and enable development of appropriately targeted health promotion strategies, generating enduring benefit to Australia's economy and public health. Read moreRead less
Young Adult Social Transitions - Course Of Mental And Behavioural Disorders:The Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,750.00
Summary
The paths young people follow into adulthood have changed markedly in the past three decades. Traditionally the adoption of a role as marital partner, parent and fulltime employee in the late teens and early twenties was accompanied by a diminution or 'maturing out' of health risk behaviours and emotional problems arising in adolescence. The social transitions into adulthood are now both delayed and in many instances changed with higher rates of cohabitation, extended teriary educational partici ....The paths young people follow into adulthood have changed markedly in the past three decades. Traditionally the adoption of a role as marital partner, parent and fulltime employee in the late teens and early twenties was accompanied by a diminution or 'maturing out' of health risk behaviours and emotional problems arising in adolescence. The social transitions into adulthood are now both delayed and in many instances changed with higher rates of cohabitation, extended teriary educational participation and part-time employment. The effect of these social changes on health risk behaviours, behavioural and mental disorders is uncertain. This proposal will undertake a further follow-up in the late twenties of a group of just under 2000 young Victorians, already studied from the age of 14 years through to the age of 24 years. This study will assess the persistence of behavioural problems such as smoking and nicotine dependence, excessive alcohol consumption and dependence, cannabis dependence, illicit drug use, risk sexual behaviour, depression and anxiety disorders. The extent to which these may be associated with successful negotiation of transitions in education, employment, relationships, parenthood and establishing an independent home will be evaluated. Alternative explanations including the severity of dependence syndrome, personality, social background and genetic risk factors will also be explored.Read moreRead less
The natural history of licit and illicit drug use in a population cohort of stimulant users. The simultaneous use of alcohol and stimulant drugs by young Australian adults is an emerging social and public health problem. This project provides urgently needed information about the causes and extent of this problem by studying patterns of drug use within a community sample of young adults over a five-year period.
Drug Use by a Community Sample of Young Amphetamine Users in South-East Queensland â?' A Longitudinal Study. Drug use can impact on the national well being in a multitude of ways. In 1998-1999 the fiscal cost of licit and illicit drug use was estimated to be $34.4 billion, while drug-related crime is estimated to cost Australia $1.96 billion annually. This study is valuable in its capacity to inform evidence-based policy and practice addressing amphetamine uptake and amphetamine use trajectories ....Drug Use by a Community Sample of Young Amphetamine Users in South-East Queensland â?' A Longitudinal Study. Drug use can impact on the national well being in a multitude of ways. In 1998-1999 the fiscal cost of licit and illicit drug use was estimated to be $34.4 billion, while drug-related crime is estimated to cost Australia $1.96 billion annually. This study is valuable in its capacity to inform evidence-based policy and practice addressing amphetamine uptake and amphetamine use trajectories and harms. This has implications for developing strategies to enable young Australians to make healthy choices regarding amphetamine and other drug use, and for the broader economic and social benefits arising from healthy and productive individuals, families and communities.Read moreRead less