Abstract: To identify factors associated with unsafe needle hygiene, we studied 378 injection drug users (IDUs) in Denver, Colorado. The sample was drawn from neighborhoods with large concentrations of injectors and crack smokers. Respondents were questioned about their needle hygiene practices during the 30-day period prior to the interview. Unsafe needle hygiene, defined as injecting with previously used, nondisinfected needles, was reported by more than a third of those interviewed. Unsafe needle practices were associated with a number of factors, including heroin injection, perceived chance of getting AIDS, and lack of exposure to AIDS interventions in the community. The high percentage reporting unsafe needle practices within a 30-day interval points to the grave risk AIDS continues to pose for drug users. We conclude that the apparent success of exposure to AIDS intervention efforts in changing needle practices shows promise for prevention programs targeting drug injectors.

Abstract: Bereits 1993 zeigten Hemmeter et al. eine verminderte Tonuserniedrigung der peripheren Muskulatur in der REM-Schlafphase unter Methadon-Razemat-Substitution. Dieser Befund ist der REM-Schlaf-Verhaltensstörung zuzuordnen; empfohlene Therapie ist die Gabe von Clonazepam am Abend. Viele Substituierte berichten, dass sie mit einer Benzodiazepinmedikation einerseits besser schlafen können und sich andererseits nicht so niedergeschlagen und inaktiv fühlen. Eine Benzodiazepinmedikation wurde bzw. wird oftmals als sog. Beigebrauch betrachtet und steht somit dem Therapieziel der Substitutionsbehandlung entgegen. Diese Sichtweise muss auf dem Hintergrund der Datenlage hinterfragt werden, allerdings ist eine prophylaktische Benzodiazepinmedikation nicht indiziert. Already 1963 Hemmeter et al. had shown a missing tension decrease of musculature in REM-sleep during d,l-methadone substitution. This fact is assigned to the REM-sleep-behavior-disorder. Recommended medication is clonazepam in the evening. Much substituted patients reports on a better sleep with benzodiazepines. Add to this they don’t feel so depressed and inactive. A benzodiazepine-use is often seen as illicit drug use, which stands in the way of the aim of methadone maintenance therapy. This view is to scrutinize in sight ofthe-facts. However a preventive benzodiazepine-medication is not indicated.

Abstract: In order to test the possible relationship between the chronic consumption of alcohol and the opioid system, we have measured the plasmalevels of β-endorphin in a group of 31 alcoholic patients and compared the results with those of a control group of 16 subjects. Our results show that chronic consumption of alcohol induces a significant decrease in β-endorphin (β-end) plasmalevels regardless of either the disease suffered by the alcoholic patient or of the time of abstinence studied (one month maximum). Thus we believe that the β-end decrease may well be due to the patients’ alcoholism and that it might be mediated by the tetrahydroisoquinoline system, or be a cause of alcoholism rather than a consequence.

Abstract: This research has tested a social disintegration model in conjunction with risk and protection factors that have the power to differentiate relative, weighted interactions among variables in different socially disintegrated groups. The model was tested in a cross-sectional sample of 1082 at-risk youth in Switzerland. Structural equation analyses show significant differences between the social disintegration (low, moderate, high) groups and gender, indicating that the model works differently for groups and for gender. For the highly disintegrated adolescents results clearly show that the risk factors (negative mood, peer network, delinquency) are more important than the protective factors (family relations, secure sense of self). Family relations lose all protective value against negative peer influence, but personal variables, such as secure self, gain protective power.