ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2977-3133
Current Organisation
Department of Health
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-06-2020
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13085
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-10-2020
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13183
Abstract: There has been a rapid increase in smoking crystalline meth hetamine in Australia. We compare the clinical and demographic characteristics of those who smoke versus inject the drug in a cohort of people who use meth hetamine. Participants ( N = 151) were dependent on meth hetamine, aged 18–60 years, enrolled in a pharmacotherapy trial for meth hetamine dependence, and reported either injecting ( n = 54) or smoking ( n = 97) meth hetamine. Measures included the Timeline Followback, Severity of Dependence Scale, Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire, Craving Experience Questionnaire and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (symptoms of depression, hostility, psychosis and suicidality). Simultaneous regression was used to identify independent demographic correlates of smoking meth hetamine and to compare the clinical characteristics of participants who smoked versus injected. Compared to participants who injected meth hetamine, those who smoked meth hetamine were younger and less likely to be unemployed, have a prison history or live alone. Participants who smoked meth hetamine used meth hetamine on more days in the past 4 weeks than participants who injected meth hetamine (26 vs. 19 days, P = 0.001) they did not differ significantly in their severity of meth hetamine dependence, withdrawal, craving or psychiatric symptoms ( P 0.05). After adjustment for demographic differences, participants who smoked had lower craving [b (SE) = −1.1 (0.5), P = 0.021] and were less likely to report psychotic symptoms [b (SE) = −1.8 (0.7), P = 0.013] or antidepressant use [b (SE) = −1.1 (0.5), P = 0.022]. Smoking crystalline meth hetamine is associated with a younger less marginalised demographic profile than injecting meth hetamine, but a similarly severe clinical profile.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGPO.2014.05.008
Abstract: Few recent studies have investigated the prevalence of improperly discarded syringes in community settings by people who inject drugs (PWID). We examined whether syringe source was associated with the act of improper syringe disposal and amount of syringes improperly disposed of among PWID in Los Angeles, California. A cross-sectional s le of PWID (N=412) was recruited and administered a structured questionnaire between July 2011 and April 2013. Descriptive analyses investigated syringe access and disposal practices among participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified adjusted associations between syringe source (syringe exchange program [SEP] or pharmacy) and improper syringe disposal. Most participants were male (69%), homeless (62%) and low-income earners (64%). The majority (87%) of the s le received syringes from a SEP in the past six months, with 26% having received syringes from pharmacies and 36% from unauthorised sources (e.g., friend, drug dealer). Of more than 30,000 used syringes reportedly disposed of by participants during the past 30 days, 17% were disposed of improperly. Two percent of participants disposed of any used syringes at pharmacies, compared to 68% who used SEPs for syringe disposal. Having received sterile syringes from a SEP was independently associated with lower odds of improper syringe disposal however, purchasing sterile syringes from pharmacies was associated with significantly higher odds of improper syringe disposal. In a city with both SEPs and pharmacies as syringe source and disposal options for PWID, these findings suggest that while pharmacies are selling syringes, they are not as readily involved in safe syringe disposal. Given limits on SEP availability and the large geographic size of Los Angeles County, augmenting current SEP services and providing other community disposal sites, including pharmacy disposal, processes could reduce improper syringe disposal among PWID in Los Angeles.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 30-01-2023
DOI: 10.1177/00048674221151000
Abstract: Mental health disorders are ranked globally as the single largest contributor to non-fatal ill-health. Social support can be a means of reducing and managing depression. However, depression can also impact on a person’s level of social support. As men typically have fewer sources of social support than females, this study investigated the bi-directional associations between depressive symptoms and perceived levels of social support among Australian males, aged 18–63. Three waves of panel data from Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health collected over 7 years (2013–2020) were used. A random intercept cross-lagged panel analysis with 5112 participants was undertaken. Mediating effects and indirect and total effects for lagged and cross-lagged pathways were also examined. Over time, greater social support was found to be associated with lower depression levels, and simultaneously greater levels of depression was found to be associated with lower levels of social support. Standardised cross-lagged effects between waves were mostly similar (β = 0.10). However, mediation analyses identified that only the total effect size of the association for depression at wave 1 predicting social support at wave 3 (β = −0.29) was significant. Mediated effects of social support at wave 1 predicting depression at wave 3 were not significant. These include the number of years between each wave, and data were collected during the COVID pandemic. The study provides robust longitudinal evidence supporting the notion that social support and depression are both a cause and consequence of the other. However, the long-term effects of depression reducing social support were longer lasting than the effects of social support reducing depression.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAT.2013.02.003
Abstract: Encouraging out-of-treatment meth hetamine users who engage in problematic use patterns to initiate access of drug treatment and other health and support services is a key focus of drug policy. We followed a community-recruited cohort (N = 255) of regular meth hetamine users in Melbourne, Australia, to investigate patterns of engagement with professional support for meth hetamine use and/or associated harms over 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors independently associated with initiating contact with services during follow-up. Generalised estimating equations identified factors associated with current (at the time of interview) service access. General practitioners were the most common source of professional support during follow-up (24%). Overall, service utilisation was associated with riskier meth hetamine use patterns (e.g., injecting), professional support access for other issues (e.g., mental health), and greater experience of meth hetamine-related harms (e.g., adverse social consequences). These findings provide insights to inform strategies that will improve treatment initiation and retention by meth hetamine users.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13026
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-10-2015
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.12742
Abstract: We tested whether patrons of the night-time economy who had co-consumed energy drinks or illicit stimulants with alcohol had higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels than patrons who had consumed only alcohol. Street intercept surveys (n = 4227) were undertaken between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. over a period of 7 months. Interviews were undertaken with patrons walking through entertainment precincts, queuing to enter venues or exiting venues in five Australian cities. The response rate was 92.1% more than half the study s le was male (60.2%) and the median age was 23 years (range 18-72). Data were collected on demographics, length of drinking session, venue types visited, types and quantity of alcohol consumed and other substance use. A BAC reading was recorded and a subs le of participants was tested for other drug use. Compared with the total s le (0.068%), illicit stimulant consumers (0.080% P = 0.004) and energy drink consumers (0.074% P < 0.001) had a significantly higher median BAC reading, and were more likely to engage in pre-drinking (65.6, 82.1 and 77.6%, respectively, P < 0.001) and longer drinking sessions (4, 5 and 4.5 hours, respectively, P < 0.001). However, stimulant use was not associated independently with higher BAC in the final multivariable model (illicit stimulants P = 0.198 energy drinks P = 0.112). Interaction analyses showed that stimulant users had a higher BAC in the initial stages of the drinking session, but not after 4-6 hours. While stimulant use does not predict BAC in and of itself, stimulants users are more likely to engage in prolonged sessions of heavy alcohol consumption and a range of risk-taking behaviours on a night out, which may explain higher levels of BAC among stimulants users, at least in the initial stages of the drinking session.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-04-2023
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.16189
Abstract: Few studies of the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) public health measures on drug markets and drug use patterns have used longitudinal data. We aimed to examine whether COVID‐19 measures were associated with increases in meth hetamine price, decreases in meth hetamine use frequency and subsequent changes in secondary outcomes of other drug use frequency in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Longitudinal analysis framework was used from a longitudinal cohort of people who use meth hetamine. Victoria state, Australia. One hundred eighty‐five VMAX study participants who reported a meth hetamine purchase after the onset of the pandemic were used for the price paid analysis. Meth hetamine or other drug use frequency analysis was performed using 277 participants who used meth hetamine during the pandemic or in the year before the pandemic. Price paid per gram of meth hetamine derived from the most recent purchase price and most recent purchase quantity. Frequency of meth hetamine and other drug use measured as the average number of days per week used in the last month. Compared with pre‐COVID‐19 period, meth hetamine prices increased by AUD351.63 ( P value .001) and by AUD456.51 ( P value .001) in Melbourne and regional Victoria, respectively, during the period in which the most intense public health measures were implemented in Victoria. Although prices decreased after harder restrictions were lifted (by AUD232.84, P value .001 and AUD263.68, P value .001, in Melbourne and regional Victoria, respectively), they remained higher than pre‐COVID‐19 levels. A complementary 76% decrease was observed in relation to meth hetamine use frequency in regional Victoria ( P value = 0.006) that was not offset by any changes in the frequency of use of other drugs such as alcohol, tobacco or other illicit drugs. COVID‐19 public health measures in Victoria state, Australia, appear to have been associated with major price changes in the meth hetamine market and decreased frequency of use of the drug.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 24-09-2022
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211048143
Abstract: Community reintegration from prison is typically stressful, with several health and social outcomes impacting psychiatric well-being during this time, often exacerbated among in iduals with histories of drug use. Longitudinal data was used to assess change in psychiatric well-being over 2 years following release from prison among men who reported a recent history of injecting drug use. Data for this study come from the Prison and Transition Health cohort study of 400 men recruited in prison prior to release and followed up over three time points. Psychiatric well-being was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. We calculated change in in idual General Health Questionnaire scores between interviews and identified covariates associated with General Health Questionnaire score using linear mixed-effects regression. Data from 690 follow-up interviews among 326 participants were included in analyses. There was considerable variation in in iduals' General Health Questionnaire scores. Moving accommodation frequently and frequent illicit drug injections were associated with an increase in General Health Questionnaire score (i.e. decline in psychiatric well-being). Two or more prior adult imprisonment episodes, social supports and past month primary healthcare attendance were associated with a decrease in General Health Questionnaire score. Our findings identify health, social and structural influences on psychiatric well-being after release from prison that can inform re-entry programmes to support community reintegration.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2017
Abstract: Investigate alcohol and other substance use, with a focus on harmful alcohol use patterns, among young people in the Solomon Islands. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to respondents aged 15-24 years across four of the country's provinces in late 2015. Four hundred young people completed the questionnaire across urban, peri-urban and rural communities. The most common substances ever used by participants were betel nut (94%), licit/store-bought and/or illicit alcohol (79%) and tobacco (76%). Lifetime and recent substance use was particularly common among male respondents e.g. 89% of male participants reported ever using any alcohol versus 54% of females (p<0.001). Harmful alcohol use patterns were common. Our s le generally reported higher levels of substance use compared to previous research in the Solomon Islands, including in relation to the country's relatively recent (2012/13) Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Implications for public health: Our study made considerable advances in addressing key knowledge gaps regarding alcohol and other substance use among young people in the Solomon Islands. Evidence-based initiatives to address early initiation of alcohol and other substance use and the progression to more problematic use patterns among young people in the Solomon Islands need to be explored.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13155
Abstract: Children in families where there is substance misuse are at high risk of being removed from their parents' care. This study describes the characteristics of a community s le of parents who primarily smoke meth hetamine and their child or children's residential status. Baseline data from a prospective study of meth hetamine smokers (‘VMAX’). Participants were recruited via convenience, respondent‐driven and snowball s ling. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations between parental status fathers' or mothers' socio‐demographic, psychosocial, mental health, alcohol, meth hetamine use dependence, alcohol use and child or children's co‐residential status. Of the 744 participants, 394 (53%) reported being parents 76% (88% of fathers, 57% of mothers) reported no co‐resident children. Compared to parents without co‐resident children, parents with co‐resident children were more likely to have a higher income. Fathers with co‐resident children were more likely to be partnered and not to have experienced violence in the previous 6 months. Mothers with co‐resident children were less likely to have been homeless recently or to have accessed treatment for meth hetamine use. The prevalence of non‐co‐resident children was much higher than previously reported in studies of parents who use meth hetamine irrespective of whether in or out of treatment. There is a need for accessible support and services for parents who use meth hetamine irrespective of their child or children's co‐residency status. Research is needed to determine the longitudinal impact of meth hetamine use on parents' and children's wellbeing and to identify how parents with co‐resident children (particularly mothers) can be supported.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13194
Abstract: Limited research has investigated meth hetamine use and related harms in rural and regional Australia. We investigated whether people who used meth hetamine in non‐metropolitan Victoria differed in their sociodemographics and were more likely to be meth hetamine‐dependent than those recruited in Melbourne. We used baseline data from an ongoing prospective cohort study, ‘VMAX’. Participants were recruited from Melbourne and three non‐metropolitan Victorian regions. Sequential multivariable logistic regression of nested models assessed unadjusted and adjusted associations between residential locations and meth hetamine dependence. The s le mostly (77%) comprised people who used meth hetamine via non‐injecting means ( N = 744). Thirty‐nine percent were female. Melbourne‐based participants were less likely than non‐metropolitan participants to identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, be heterosexual, have children and be unemployed. More frequent meth hetamine use (adjusted odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.12–1.34) and using crystal meth hetamine versus ‘speed’ powder (adjusted odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.26–3.64) were independently ( P 0.05) associated with being classified as meth hetamine‐dependent. A significantly higher percentage of participants in every non‐metropolitan region were classified as meth hetamine‐dependent vs. those in Melbourne, but this relationship was attenuated when adjusting for meth hetamine use frequency and primary form used. Despite 65% of participants being classified as meth hetamine‐dependent, less than half had recently (past year) accessed any professional support for meth hetamine, with minimal variation by recruitment location. VMAX participants in non‐metropolitan Victoria were more likely to be meth hetamine‐dependent than those living in Melbourne. Unmet need for professional support appears to exist among people using meth hetamine across the state, regardless of geographical location.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-07-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-03-2023
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13635
Abstract: Around half of Australian students aged 16–17 are estimated to have drunk alcohol in the past month, with 11% drinking at ‘risky’ levels. This study investigated: (i) how many Australian adolescents aged 16–17 had parental permission to drink at home in 2016/17 and whether prevalence differed by adolescent sex (ii) whether adolescents allowed to drink at home had drunk more recently and were drinking greater quantities (iii) if adolescents allowed to drink at home experienced more alcohol‐related harms and (iv) if parental drinking patterns were associated with permitting adolescents to drink at home. Data from Wave 7 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were used. Descriptive and bivariate analyses addressed Aims i–iii. Nested multivariable logistic regression models addressed aim iv. In 2016/17, 28% of Australian adolescents aged 16–17 were allowed to drink alcohol at home. More adolescents with permission had drunk alcohol in the past month (77% vs. 63% of those without permission). There was no difference in quantity of alcohol consumed in the past week between groups. More adolescents allowed to drink at home had experienced alcohol‐related harm compared to those without permission (23% vs. 17%). In multivariable analyses, alcohol consumption by primary parents was associated with an increased likelihood of allowing adolescents to drink at home. In order to reduce adolescent alcohol use and associated harms, parents should avoid permitting alcohol use among adolescents at home. Frequent (twice or more/week) primary parental alcohol consumption was especially associated with greater odds of allowing adolescents to drink at home.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGPO.2017.05.058
Abstract: Potential Australian blood donors are deferred indefinitely if they report a history of injecting drug use (IDU), or for 12 months if they report having engaged in sexual activity with someone who might have ever injected. Given incremental improvements in blood safety, this study sought to examine whether Australia's IDU-related eligibility criteria reflected current scientific evidence, were consistent with international best practice and, if current IDU-related policies were to be changed, how this should happen. An expert committee was formed to review relevant literature with a focus on issues including: the epidemiology of IDU in Australia and key transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) among Australian people who inject drugs (PWID) and, 'non-compliance' among PWID regarding IDU-related blood donation guidelines. International policies relating to blood donation and IDU were also reviewed. Modelling with available data estimated the risk of TTIs remaining undetected if the Blood Service's IDU-related guidelines were changed. Very few (<1%) Australians engage in IDU, and IDU risk practices are reported by only a minority of PWID. However, the prevalence of HCV remains high among PWID, and IDU remains a key transmission route for various TTIs. Insufficient data were available to inform appropriate estimates of cessation and relapse among Australian PWID. Modelling findings indicated that the risk of not detecting HIV becomes greater than the reference group at a threshold of non-admission of being an active PWID of around 1.8% (0.5-5.1%). Excluding Japan, all Organisation for the Economic Co-operation and Development member countries permanently exclude in iduals with a history of IDU from donating. Numerous research gaps meant that the study's expert Review Committee was unable to recommend altering Australia's current IDU-related blood donation guidelines. However, having identified critical knowledge gaps and future areas of research, the review made important steps toward changing the criteria.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2014
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.12145
Abstract: There is little research describing how intoxication levels change throughout the night in entertainment districts. This research aims to describe levels of alcohol intoxication across multiple Australian metropolitan and regional nightlife districts. This study was conducted in the night-time entertainment districts of three metropolitan cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) and two regional cities (Wollongong and Geelong) in Australia. Data collection occurred approximately fortnightly in each city on a Friday or Saturday night between 8 pm and 5 am. Brief structured interviews (3-10 min) and breathalyser tests were undertaken in busy thoroughfares over six months. Of the 7037 in iduals approached to participate in the study, 6998 [61.8% male, mean age 24.89 years (standard deviation 6.37 range 18-73)] agreed to be interviewed. There was a linear increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels throughout the night. Post hoc testing revealed significantly more highly intoxicated participants (i.e. BAC above 0.10 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) after midnight (P < 0.05). The overall mean BAC was 0.06 mg/100 mL. Men were more intoxicated than women earlier in the night, but gender differences disappeared by 3 am. There was no age differences in intoxication earlier in the night, but after midnight, patrons over the age of 21 showed increasing BAC levels. There is a consistent trend across the cities of high to very high levels of intoxication later in the night, with trends after midnight being significantly different to those before.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-02-2017
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.13765
Abstract: High rates of loss to follow‐up represent a significant challenge to clinical trials of pharmacological treatments for meth hetamine (MA) use disorder. We aimed to estimate and test the relationship between achieving and maintaining abstinence in the initial weeks of study participation and subsequent retention in such trials, hypothesizing that participants able to achieve early abstinence would be less likely to drop out. Data from four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pharmacological treatments for MA use disorder were pooled and analyzed using a random‐effects approach. All trials were conducted in the greater Los Angeles, CA, USA area. A total of 440 participants were included trials were conducted between 2004 and 2014. Participants’ ability to achieve a brief period of initial abstinence was measured as the number of MA‐negative urine screens completed in the first 2 weeks of the trials. Outcomes were the likelihood of dropout, i.e. missing two consecutive weeks of scheduled urine drug screens, and the number of days participants were retained in the trials. Study participants achieved an average of three (of six possible) negative urine screens during the first 2 weeks of the trials, 51% dropped out and the average number of days retained was 60 (of 90 maximum). Each additional negative urine screen achieved during the first 2 weeks of the study reduced multiplicatively the odds of dropout by 41% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.53, 0.66]. Abstinence was also a significant predictor of retention time the hazard ratio for non‐completion was 0.75 per additional negative urine screen (95% CI = 0.71, 0.80). Participants in randomized controlled trials of pharmacological treatments for meth hetamine use disorder who are able to achieve a brief period of early abstinence are retained longer in the trials and are less likely to drop out overall.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 26-09-2017
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1214153
Abstract: Understanding the characteristics of drug users in the night-time economy (NTE), and whether particular drugs are associated with risky practices and experience of harm, is necessary to inform targeted policy responses in this context. To investigate the correlates of drugs used in the Australian NTE relating to demographics, alcohol use, and experience of harm. Patrons were interviewed in the NTE of five Australian cities in 2012-2013 (n = 7,028 61.9% male, median age 22 years). A custom designed survey gathered demographic data, alcohol, and substance use on the current night, and experience of harm in/around licensed venues in the past 3 months. Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the correlates of drug use. Ecstasy was most commonly reported (4.0%), followed by cannabis (2.9%), meth hetamine (2.6%), and cocaine (1.6%). Ecstasy users were more likely to be younger and report energy drink consumption. Cannabis users were more likely to be male, and to have been involved in intoxication-related accidents/injuries and sexual aggression in/around licensed venues in the past 3 months. Meth hetamine users were more likely to have been interviewed later, and to have engaged in pre-drinking. Cocaine users were more likely to be male, aged 21 years or more, have a blood alcohol concentration of greater than 0.10%, and to have been involved in intoxication-related accidents/injuries in the past three months. Conclusions/Importance: We identified significant differences between types of drug users and the harms they experience, underscoring the need to develop innovative harm reduction policies in the NTE rather than blanket population-based approaches.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.5694/MJA16.00795
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 24-09-2022
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211048152
Abstract: Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health disorders experienced by Australians. These disorders are commonly found in people who use meth hetamine however, much of this research has involved participants recruited from treatment settings who inject meth hetamine. We therefore explored (1) the prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety and depression in a community-recruited cohort who smoked meth hetamine and (2) examined potential factors associated with moderate to severe anxiety or depression in this cohort. Data were derived from baseline surveys of 725 participants of the prospective ‘VMAX’ study, recruited from metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of Victoria, Australia, via snowball and respondent-driven s ling. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 instruments. Independent associations between moderate to severe scores on these measures and demographic, socio-economic, substance use and other health and social characteristics were examined using multivariable logistic regression. More than half (60%) of the participants were classified as experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression. In the multivariable models, having poor/very poor self-rated health, meth hetamine dependence and being unemployed were associated with higher odds of experiencing both moderate to severe depression and moderate to severe anxiety. Living in a large rural town, identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and smoking meth hetamine were associated with lower odds of experiencing moderate to severe depression. Being female was associated with higher odds of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety. The high rates of anxiety and/or depression found in the VMAX cohort were associated with demographic, socio-economic, substance use and other health and social factors. The prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety is a novel finding that warrants further study. Further work is needed to determine how anxiety and depression change over time among people who smoke meth hetamine, to help identify key intervention points.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 26-07-2019
DOI: 10.2196/14084
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-08-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-02-2020
DOI: 10.1111/VOX.12891
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2014
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Brendan Quinn.