Tuesday May 03, 2022
Lead Story: Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Perceptions of Risks and Benefits Differ by Type of Cannabis Products
Adolescents’ and young adults’ perceptions of risks and benefits differ by type of cannabis products
Addictive Behaviors
Cannabis use patterns among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have changed recently, with increasing use of non-combustible cannabis products. This survey of 433 California AYAs compared a variety of perceived risks and benefits corresponding to short-term and long-term use of combustible, blunt, vaporized, and edible cannabis, and between "ever" and "never" users. Combustible cannabis and blunts were perceived to have greater risks and benefits than vaporized/edible cannabis. The most common perceived risks were “get into trouble” and “become addicted.” The most common benefits were “feel high or buzzed” and “feel less anxious.” Ever cannabis users perceived less risks and greater benefits than never users.
Electronic cigarette use among adults in 14 countries: A cross-sectional study
eClinicalMedicine
Using 2015-2018 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data, prevalence of e-cigarette use and variations by sociodemographic characteristics was examined in 14 countries. Given the progress towards a tobacco-free generation, continued surveillance of e-cigarette use is essential to developing, sustaining, and strengthening tobacco control at the country level. Approximately 18.3 million adults used e-cigarettes across these countries; higher use was observed in certain countries among men, young adults, urban residents, adults with higher education levels, and higher wealth index. Continued monitoring of e-cigarette use is critical for developing interventions and policies to prevent tobacco initiation and enhance cessation support.
Assessment of Community-Level Vulnerability and Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
JAMA Network Open
This cross-sectional study examined the association of community vulnerability to disasters and pandemics with geographic access to each of the three Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUDs) and whether this association differs by urban, suburban, or rural classification. All zip code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) within the continental U.S. were included. Median drive time to the nearest treatment location was greatest for methadone (35 [16-60] minutes) and shortest for buprenorphine (16 [0-30] minutes; P < .001). Zip codes with greater social vulnerability did not have greater geographic access to each of the three MOUDs, showing the degree to which the US falls short of ensuring equitable access to all MOUDs, especially during natural disasters.
Scientific Reports
The rise in opioid overdoses in the US is predominantly driven by very potent synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl and its derivatives (fentanyls). Although naloxone (NLX) has been shown to effectively reverse overdoses by conventional opioids, there may be a need for higher or repeated doses of NLX to revert overdoses from highly potent fentanyls. This study used positron emission tomography (PET) to assess NLX’s dose-dependence on both its rate of displacement of [11C]carfentanil ([11C]CFN) binding and its duration of mu-opioid receptor (MOR) occupancy in the male rat brain. The results show that clinically relevant doses of IV NLX can promptly displace fentanyls at brain MORs, but repeated or higher NLX doses may be required to prevent re-narcotization following overdoses with long-acting fentanyls.
Alcohol everywhere, anytime, coming to a world near you
International Journal of Drug Policy
Autonomous vehicles have substantial and proximal implications for alcohol availability. The profit potential of these forms of transport for alcohol delivery will be a compelling force for rapid and comprehensive uptake. This commentary advocates for steps governments can take to pre-empt the widespread use of autonomous delivery options through the proactive implementation of effective regulatory approaches. These steps, along with community discussion, include reconsidering the definition of an alcohol retail outlet, ensuring appropriate mechanisms are in place to prevent increasing access to alcohol for underage drinkers, and restricting the ability of autonomous delivery vehicles to promote alcohol through either signage or digital messaging.
BMC Public Health
This Norwegian population-based case–control study sought to improve understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying progression into and development of various substance use disorders (SUDs). Among SUD patients, those with illicit – as compared to licit – SUDs were younger, more often had low education level, were less often in paid work, and had lower income. There were substantial demographic differences, including the relatively low mean age among cannabis patients and the high share of females among sedatives/hypnotics patients. Opioid patients were older, more often out of work, receiving social security benefits, and living alone. Cocaine and alcohol patients were more often better educated, included in the workforce, and had a better financial situation.
Training in Adolescent Substance and Opioid Misuse in Pediatric Residency Programs
Pediatrics
Substance use disorders (SUDs) often start in adolescence. This study used a survey of US pediatric residency programs to assess training in youth substance use and compared findings with regional overdose mortality. Programs in counties with a high opioid overdose burden had more training on opioid use disorder (OUD), but overall rates of training inclusive of treatment were low. Two American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended interventions, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) and medication treatment of OUD, were infrequently covered. Few programs offered education about how to prescribe naloxone for opioid overdose, despite high regional overdose mortality and widespread availability of such training.