Detection,Advice, and Referral to Services (DARTS) Procedures Among Clients With Public Defenders

Although screening and brief intervention techniques have been found to be efficacious in a variety of medical settings, their use in the criminal justice system has been limited. We present data from Chief Public Defenders (PDs) in 24 Pennsylvania counties who were surveyed about their approach to substance-using clients and their attitudes toward treatment and talking to clients about substance use. A random subsample (n = 8) participated in an additional semistructured interview. Results provide preliminary support for the use of Detection, Advice, and Referral to Services (DARTS) procedures by PDs and identify potential barriers to its implementation.     

The Activity of β-Hexosaminidase (uHex) and γ-Glutamyl-Transferase (uGGT) in Urine as Non-Invasive Markers of Chronic Alcohol Abuse: I. Alcohol-Dependent Subjects

It has been demonstrated that in alcohol-dependent men the uHex test is one of the most powerful discriminating tools, while uGGT has a discriminating power similar to that of sHex but worse than that of uHex, sGGT and s%CDT. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) areas under the curves (AUC) for uHex, uGGT, s%CDT, sHex and sGGT were 0.92, 0.79, 0.88, 0.79 and 0.92, respectively. Due to their good parameters, low cost, ease of use and noninvasive character the uHex and uGGT tests are useful tools for the detection of chronic alcohol abuse.     

Peer Education from the Perspective of Peer Educators

Peer educators (PEs) have a significant role in providing education on various health issues like smoking, alcohol, and other substance use. This study aimed to determine the experiences and opinions of PEs regarding a peer education program. Using the qualitative research method, data were collected from the study sample, which consisted of 23 student PEs, via semi-structured focus group discussions. Three main themes were developed: the Perceived Efficacy of Peer Education, Suggestions Regarding a Peer Education Program, and Contribution of the Peer Education Program to PEs. This study showed that peer educators thought peer education to be a highly effective method for the prevention of substance abuse. To improve the effectiveness of the program, it was recommended that it be started during middle school instead of high school, that families and local institutions be involved in the program, and that the students be directed to participate in arts, sports, and social activities.     

Hunger and the perception of the scent of petrol: A potential neurobiological basis for increased risk of petrol inhalation abuse

The deliberate inhalation of petrol as a means of intoxication used by underage and marginalized social groups is a growing international problem. This type of abuse has been identified as the cause of severe physical, cognitive, and psychological impairment. Both of these factors have heightened the need for identifying causes underlying why individuals begin abusing petrol. One hundred Australian male adults were surveyed while they were filling their cars with petrol. While the individuals were exposed to ambient petrol, they were asked to rate how pleasant and intense they found the smell of the petrol and the number of hours since they last ate a meal. Significant positive correlations between hunger and ratings of both pleasantness and intensity of petrol odor were identified. The results from this study suggest that hunger, and more specifically saturated fat consumption, may influence an individual's decision to abuse petrol. Suggestions for further research and related public health considerations are discussed.     

Impulsive or Depressive Personality Traits Do Not Impede Behavioral Change After Brief Alcohol Interventions

ABSTRACT

The authors investigated whether impulsivity and depression affect the success of interventions to reduce alcohol use. Unadjusted and adjusted regression models were constructed to analyze the effect of impulsivity and depression on 12-month outcomes of participants of a trauma center based randomized trial of brief personalized motivational interventions versus information and advice. Of 497 problem drinkers enrolled in the program, 248 completed the 12-month follow-up. Impulsivity, male gender, being older than 35, and intentional mechanism of injury had a direct association with drinking. After interventions, a decrease in drinking was found that was unaffected by the presence of impulsivity or depression indicators.     

Psychotic experiences in the context of depression: The cumulative role of victimization

Previous studies have reported an association between depression and psychotic experiences, but little is known about what drives this co-occurrence. This study tests the hypothesis that exposure to trauma and bullying may strengthen the relation between depression and psychotic experiences. A total of 799 college students completed self-report questionnaires on psychotic experiences, depression, bullying, and sexual trauma. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to test the direct relationship between depression and psychotic experiences, as well as interactions. Approximately 20% of respondents reported a history of being bullied, and 7% reported exposure to childhood sexual trauma. There was a significant direct relationship between depression and psychotic experiences. The association between depression and psychotic experiences was significantly stronger among respondents who were victims of both bullying and sexual violence compared to those who experienced either exposure alone, or who were not exposed to either form of victimization. These findings suggest that cumulative exposure to trauma and victimization may contribute to the co-occurrence of depression and psychotic experiences. History of victimization should be assessed among individuals with depressive symptoms to improve treatment plans and outcomes.     

Primed neutrophil infiltrations into multiple organs in child physical abuse cases: A preliminary study

Physical abuse of the elderly induces a massive primed neutrophil infiltration into the lung and liver through chemotaxis by interleukin (IL)-8, similar to cases of traumatic or hemorrhagic shock. Here, we used immunohistochemical analyses to investigate this infiltration in cases of physically abused children. In addition, we examined the expression of neutrophil elastase (NE) as the inflammatory mediator and α1-antitrypsin (AAT) as the elastase inhibitor. The number of neutrophils in the abuse cases was increased significantly in the heart, lung, liver, and kidney, compared with that of control cases. IL-8-positive cells and NE-positive cells in all organs of abuse cases were significantly greater than those in control cases. Large quantities of oxidized AAT, which fails to inactivate NE and results in tissue damage, was detected in the liver of abuse cases. Neutrophil infiltration showed positive correlation with the degree of systemic accumulation of non-fatal injuries caused by repetitive abusive behavior. Although further investigation using more autopsy samples is necessary, results of our preliminary study indicate that massive neutrophil infiltration induced by IL-8 in multiple organs is a new complementary diagnostic indicator of physical abuse in children. Moreover, the demonstration of NE-positive cells and oxidized AAT provides firm evidence of tissue damage.