Drug prevention in junior high: a multi-site longitudinal test

Article Abstract:

The drug prevention programs of the 1960s and 1970s were failed programs which emphasized, and often exaggerated, long-term consequences of drug use. They rarely linked the discussion of general skills to those specifically involved with situations involving drugs. Project ALERT is a multi-site study of a school-based prevention anti-drug program for seventh and eighth graders that specifically targets cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana because of their "gateway" effect to other drugs. The ALERT program focuses on how drugs affect the daily lives of students, and emphasizes specific social skills involved in the avoidance of drug use. The study involved a total of 30 schools, which included a broad spectrum of communities, socioeconomic status, and racial and ethnic groups. Schools were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Ten continued with their present drug prevention programs. Twenty taught the ALERT program; 10 did so only with adult teachers, and 10 with assistance from teen leaders from neighboring schools. The results indicated that both treatment groups had substantially less initiation and current use of both cigarettes and marijuana. This included students who were statistically at high risk of becoming confirmed users. This is significant, since a common criticism of many programs is that they tend to achieve success by reducing use among already low-risk students, and that ultimately, the amount of reduced use is trivial. The case for alcohol was not so satisfactory, however. The ALERT project produced a small, transient decrease in alcohol use. One possible reason for the failure of the decrease in alcohol use to persist is the general acceptance of alcohol use in the United States. Since drug abuse and smoking are more difficult to stop if they begin early, any delay that can be obtained by the teaching of younger students may pay significant dividends. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prevention, Children, Study and teaching, Smoking and youth, Youth smoking, Drug use, Alcohol and youth, Juvenile drinking

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Ice: a new dosage form of an old drug

Article Abstract:

'Ice', a term for a pure form of the drug methamphetamine hydrochloride, is a psychostimulant that is abused, and has been described as 'the drug of the 1990s'. It is also known as speed, crank, and crystal. The drug can be smoked, allowing rapid absorption into the blood stream and then into the brain. The response from smoking methamphetamine is similar to that of an intravenous dose, and the drug effect can last for 24 to 48 hours. The effects of methamphetamine are a sense of increased energy, self-confidence, well-being, and awareness, euphoria, and loss of appetite. The drug causes dilation of the lungs and increases blood pressure and heart rate. Subjects can become violent. Amphetamines affect the catecholamine neurons, causing the release of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, which cause the drug effects. The consumption of the drug is often repeated to get an initial intense high, leading to increased accumulation of the drug in the body. Repeated exposure to high doses of ice is toxic to the neurons and causes neurologic and cardiovascular problems. Methamphetamine affects unborn infants of users, causing neurologic and social developmental problems. The manufacturing of methamphetamine is a three billion dollar business and occurs in secret laboratories in the United States, with many in Southern California and Texas. The abuse of methamphetamine poses additional problems in the war against drugs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Evaluation, Physiological aspects, Methamphetamine, Stimulants, Central nervous system stimulants, Amphetamines

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Patent law closes drug loophole: Brazil

Article Abstract:

Brazil has passed a law extending patent protection to food and drugs, outlawing the widespread practice of pirating patented drugs. The law will boost trade relations with the US, but critics claim it will enable multinational companies to take over commercial drug research in Brazil.

Pharmaceutical industry, Science and technology policy, Brazil, Patent law, Intellectual property (International law)

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