Young adult building artisans' involvement in illicit substances: theimplications for SDGs 3 and 8.

Aim: Young adulthood is a period when individuals experiment health risk substances such as illicit substance and tobacco use that may predispose them to sexually transmitted diseases. Minority young adults living in HIV prevalent urban communities are notably more likely to engage in these behaviors. In the United States, minority young adults over-represented with HIV infection. To resolve this problem, the United States Congress has invested over $100million in grants. In the United States, few studies have examined illicit substance and tobacco use among this vulnerable population. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive HIV prevention program (CIHPP) on illicit substance and tobacco use among minority young adults living in a high prevalence of HIV infection urban community. Methods: The data of illicit substance and tobacco use was collected using a survey of a random sample of minority young adults who participated in the CIHPP. for12-months. Change in illicit substance and tobacco use during 24 months of minority young adults' participation in CIHPP was recorded. The data was analyzed using the latent growth curve (LGC) model within the framework of the structural equation modeling procedure. The evaluation included the change in the intercept and slope of the Mean, Variance, covariance, and predictor variable in three waves for 24months. Result: The average score for illegal substance use of 5.411 decreased significantly over the 24months. Young adults exhibited a low rate of increase in their illicit use substance over the 24months. This finding indicates that the CIHPP was effective in decreasing the substance use of young adults under study. There were significant inter individual differences in the original score of illicit substance use between the young adults at the beginning of the implementation of the CIHPP and its change over time, as the as the minority young adult progressed from the beginning of the CIHPP intervention through the 24 months. Using gender as a predictor of change showed no difference between male and female young adults. For tobacco use, the average score for tobacco (16.631) decreased significantly over the three 24months. There was no meaningful difference between minority young adult males and minority young adult females in illicit substances use at the beginning of CIHPP. However, during CIHPP intervention, minority young adult’s males had an increase in the rate of change in tobacco use than minority young adult females. The mean estimate for tobacco use indicates that the average score for tobacco use increased significantly over the three 12-months periods. The covariance between the intercept and slope factor for tobacco use was statistically significant. Minority young adult males exhibited a higher rate of tobacco use than their female counterparts over the 24 months. This finding suggests that the Comprehensive, integrated HIV prevention program was not effective in decreasing the tobacco use of the minority young adults studied, The variance estimate related 2 Annals of Immunology & Immunotherapy Mongkuo MY, et al. Latent Growth Curve Model Evaluation of Illicit Substance and Tobacco Use among Young Adults in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Ann Immunol Immunother 2020, 2(2): 000124. Copyright© Mongkuo MY, et al. to the intercept and slope for tobacco use is statistically significant (p=.001) suggesting that there were vast inter-individual differences both at the beginning of CIHPP and the rate of change of tobacco use between the minority young adults at the beginning of the implementation of the CIHPP and its rate of change over time, as the young adult progressed from the beginning of the CIHPP intervention through the 24months. Such evidence provides sturdy support for further investigation of variability or heterogeneity related to the growth trajectory. Specifically, the incorporation of time-invariant of change into the model can explain the young adults' tobacco use variability. This incorporation involves testing the latent growth curve model with the demographic or static variable as a time-invariant predictor of change. This study incorporated gender in the LGC model as a predictor of change. The prediction module with gender as predictor found that there was no meaningful difference in illicit substance and tobacco use between minority young adult males and females.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background: The General Medical Council state illicit substance use by medical students is an example of unprofessional behaviour. Previous research has shown the use of illicit substances to exist amongst medical students in the United Kingdom. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of illicit substance use amongst a single cohort of medical students and gather information concerning perceptions of this behaviour. The study sought to quantify the prevalence of illicit substance use within each year of study and gender identity. Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was employed to conduct this quantitative research. This included nine questions regarding illicit substance use amongst medical students, with three additional demographic questions. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions was utilised to interrogate the data. Results: Out of 927 students in the medical school 201 (21.7%) people completed the questionnaire. 50.7% of respondents reported an any lifetime use of illicit substances, with 20.9% of the cohort reflecting recent illicit substance use within the previous 30 days. Drug use included amphetamines, amyl nitrate, cocaine and ecstasy amongst others. Cannabis was the most commonly used illicit substance, with a lifetime use of 45.8%. Statistical significance was determined for use of illicit use of substances within the male gender and older cohort years of the medical school. Conclusions: The current cohort had a greater prevalence of cannabis use than previously determined amongst medical students. Males and students in older years had higher rates of illicit substance use than their respective demographics. As such, further research may be necessary to investigate the underlying reasons for these findings.

Substance use disorders during pregnancy are a concern both to the public and medical community, because the negative consequences can be detrimental to both mother and the fetus. The accurate identification of prenatal drug exposure is necessary to determine appropriate medical and psychosocial intervention, and to identify risk factors that may affect outcomes for the mother and her newborn. The prevalence of prenatal drug exposure is very difficult to estimate because of flaws in all methods of identification. The study is designed to identify risk factors and demographic variables that contribute to nondisclosure of illicit and nonillicit substance use. In addition, this study aims to determine if nondisclosure leads to adverse neonatal outcomes. Newborns delivered with a positive meconium or urine toxicology, and/or known maternal exposure to illicit and nonillicit substances, were identified. Maternal records were reviewed for disclosure of substance use during pregnancy at admission for delivery along with other medical and demographic variables. Women with antenatal prescription drug use that may alter toxicology screens were excluded from analysis. Pediatric records were also reviewed to obtain neonatal variables. One hundred sixty-eight newborns were identified as having prenatal exposure to an illicit or nonillicit substance over the 4-year period. Eighty-six per cent (145/168) of women tested positive or their newborn tested positive for at least 1 illicit substance, and 49% (82/168) tested positive for multiple illicit substances. Fifty-four per cent (91/168) of women did not disclose using at least one illicit drug for which she or her newborn tested positive.With regards to maternal characteristics, there was no statistically significant difference between age (P = 0.958), parity (P = 0.300), or race (P = 0.531), and disclosure or failure to disclose about illicit drug use. However, patients who did not report prenatal illicit drug use (33/82 = 40%) were less likely (P = 0.049) to receive complete prenatal care (defined as 3 or more visits) compared with those who acknowledged their substance use (40/70 = 57%). Substance use disorders during pregnancy are an often underestimated cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications. Limited studies have examined the relationship between maternal characteristics and associated illicit or nonillicit drug use. The absence of correlation between maternal demographics and disclosure of illicit substance use demonstrates the fact that all antepartum patients are at risk for these behaviors. Furthermore, the fact that women who did not disclose their illicit drug use were less likely to seek complete prenatal care reflects the need for physicians to provide a destigmatized healthcare environment, encouraging pregnant women to disclose their substance use so they can be provided with appropriate counseling and treatment.

Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative: Complexities in innovation, biodiversity, and foreign direct investment.

This study examines the role of maqashid al-sharia–based zakat accounting in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the National Zakat Agency of North Sumatra Province. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and an interpretive paradigm, the research explores the implementation of PSAK 109, the integration of maqashid al-sharia values, and the contribution of zakat programs to SDG targets. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and analysis of financial statements and program reports issued by National Zakat Agency. The findings reveal that National Zakat Agency North Sumatra has applied zakat accounting in accordance with PSAK 109 to ensure transparency and accountability, although the measurement of maqashid-oriented social impact has not yet been fully quantified. Core maqashid values such as hifz al-mal, hifz al-nafs, and hifz al-aql are reflected in the institution’s flagship programs, including Sumatera Utara Makmur, Sumatera Utara Sehat, and Sumatera Utara Cerdas, which contribute directly to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The study highlights that zakat accounting serves not only as a financial reporting mechanism but also as an instrument for promoting social and spiritual development aligned with maqashid al-sharia. Nonetheless, challenges remain in developing measurable indicators, strengthening human resource capacity in sharia-based accounting, and aligning maqashid values with SDG targets. The study recommends the development of a Maqashid–SDGs Index and enhanced competency building to strengthen the role of zakat in sustainable development. Overall, the findings reinforce the potential of zakat accounting as a model of Islamic sustainable accounting oriented toward societal welfare and long-term impact

Are anabolic-androgenic steroid users polysubstance users?

BackgroundThe increase in problematic substance use is a major problem in Canada and elsewhere, placing a heavy burden on health and justice system resources given a spike in drug-related offences. Thus, achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.5 to ‘Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse’ is important for Canada’s overall realization of the SDGs, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing). Since 2008, Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court (DCC) has pioneered an innovative partnership among the justice, health and social service systems to address individuals’ needs and circumstances leading to criminal behaviour. While researchers have examined the DCC’s impact on reducing recidivism, with Canada’s SDG health commitments in mind, we set out to examine the ways health and the social determinants of health (SDH) are engaged and framed externally with regard to DCC functioning, as well as internally by DCC actors. We employed a multi-pronged approach analyzing (1) publicly available DCC documents, (2) print media coverage, and (3) health-related discourse and references in DCC hearings.ResultsThe documentary analysis showed that health and the SDH are framed by the DCC as instrumental for reducing drug-related offences and improving public safety. The observation data indicate that judges use health and SDH in providing context, understanding triggers for offences and offering rationale for sentencing and management plans that connect individuals to healthcare, social and cultural services.ConclusionsOur study contributes new insights on the effectiveness of the DCC as a means to integrate justice, health and social services for improved health and community safety. The development of such community court interventions, and their impact on health and the SDH, should be reported on by Canada and other countries as a key contribution to SDG 3 achievement, as well as the fulfillment of other targets under the SDG framework that contain the SDH. Consideration should be given by Canada as to how to capture and integrate the important data generated by the DCC and other problem-solving courts into SDG reporting metrics. Certainly, the DCC advances the SDGs’ underlying Leave No One Behind principle in a high-income country context.

Background and aims Adolescence is a period of physical, psychological and socio-cultural transformation, but also of curiosity, experimentation and acquisition. It is mainly during adolescence that people are introduced to the use of legitimate psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as illicit substances such as cannabis. Studying its predictors could help deal with this problem more efficiently. We aimed to determine the prevalence of life time illicit substance use and its predictors among Tunisian adolescents. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in two public schools in the governorate of Sousse during the 2017/2018 school year. The data were collected by anonymous self-administered questionnaire, then processed and analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. Results A total of 294 students were included. The mean age was of 17.03 years (standard deviation = 1.51). Females represented 56.1% of participants (sex ratio was 0.78). Among respondents: 60 (20.4%) had used illicit substance at least once. Cannabis was the main substance used by 35 (58.3%) students. The average age of the illicit substance use initiation was 16.3 (±1.1) years while it was 15.7 (±1.5) and 14.7 (±1.8) years for alcohol and tobacco use initiation respectively. Proportions of male students and academic failure were significantly more important among illicit substance users than among non users. While the most influential factors on illicit substance use were: alcohol use, and tobacco use (p < 10-3). However, no significant association was found between illicit substance use and video games and internet use. Conclusions This study highlights the strong association between the other risk behaviors and illicit drug use. Future interventions should focus on the whole risk behaviors simultaneously at late adolescence with regard to the environmental context. Key messages Our results highlight the need to better understand behaviors at risk in Tunisia and the perceptions of prevention policies among students. Mainly during adolescence that people are introduced to the use of illicit substances.

Introduction The ageing of baby boomers is expected to confront addiction care with new challenges. This cohort had greater exposure to psychoactive substances in youth than earlier cohorts. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Berlin addiction care is confronted with a sustained change in its clientele initiated by the baby boomers. Methods Using data from Berlin outpatient addiction care facilities, we contrasted type of primary substance use disorder and number of comorbid substance use disorders in baby boomers with an earlier and a later cohort. To isolate cohort effects, two-level random intercept regression models were applied in the overlapping age groups of the baby boomer cohort with each of the other cohorts. Results Compared with the earlier cohort, alcohol use disorder lost importance whereas illicit substance use disorder gained importance in the baby boomers. Baby boomers presented a higher number of comorbid substance use disorders than the earlier cohort. Comparing baby boomers with the later cohort, these relationships pointed in the opposite direction. Discussion and conclusions Outpatient addiction care faces a sustained change to more illicit and comorbid substance use disorders. With increasing life expectancy and the ageing of baby boomers marked by higher substance use than previous cohorts, older clients, who had been under-represented in outpatient addiction care, will gain relevance. Hence, addiction care has to adapt its offers to appropriately meet the changing needs of its clientele.

Background Evidence shows that sexual minorities are more vulnerable to substance use and psychological distress as a result of minority stress compared with heterosexuals. So far, research conducted outside North America or Western Europe has been underrepresented. This research compares for the first time the substance use, quality of mental health and life satisfaction between the sexual minority people and heterosexuals using a nationally representative probability sample in the Czech population. Methods Sample of the general population aged 15+ years surveyed within the National Survey on Substance Use in 2016 in randomly selected households (N = 3,601, F2F interviews). Prevalence of licit and illicit substance use, psychological distress (MHI-5 scale) and life satisfaction (SWLS scale) were analyzed by respondents' self-reported sexual identity and behaviors. Logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the differences between groups. Adjustment for basic sociodemographic characteristics was performed. Results 2.8% of adults identified as sexual minorities, including 0.5% lesbians or gays and 2.3% bisexuals. Sexual minorities were more likely to experiment with (illicit) substance use in the last 12 months (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03-2.94), more often experience psychological distress (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.50-4.38), and were slightly less often satisfied with their lives (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.46-1.37) compared to heterosexuals. Sexual minority status was not found as a significant predictor for daily tobacco smoking nor for frequent excessive/binge alcohol consumption. Conclusions In accordance with international evidence, sexual minorities represent a vulnerable group from the perspective of substance use and psychological distress. Factors influencing life satisfaction of sexual minority people living in geographically underrepresented regions need to be further investigated using measures more sensitive to local cultural circumstances.

The European Commission's Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, under the European Green Deal, acknowledges that innovative techniques, including biotechnology, may play a role in increasing sustainability. At the same time, organic farming will be promoted, and at least 25% of the EU's agricultural land shall be under organic farming by 2030. How can both biotechnology and organic farming be developed and promoted simultaneously to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? We illustrate that achieving the SDGs benefits from the inclusion of recent innovations in biotechnology in organic farming. This requires a change in the law. Otherwise, the planned increase of organic production in the F2F strategy may result in less sustainable, not more sustainable, food systems.

Screening illicit substance use in college students: The Chinese version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test

Illicit Substance Use Disparities Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual High School Students in the U.S. in 2017

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends providers screen their prenatal patients for 11 psychosocial issues because they affect patient mental and physical well-being. The prevalence and co-occurrence of these issues have rarely been compared among pregnant women who do and do not report recent illicit substance use. Seven psychosocial issues identified by ACOG were operationalized using National Survey on Drug Use and Health variables. We report weighted prevalence and adjusted risk ratios (ARR) for these issues in pregnant women who did versus did not report past-month illicit substance use. Pregnant women (n = 3,657) who reported past-month illicit substance use (6.3%; 95% CI [5.4-7.3]) had significantly higher prevalence of almost all psychosocial issues examined, including past-month cigarette smoking (44.9% versus 9.5%; ARR = 2.84, 95% CI [2.21-3.65]); past-month alcohol use, 36.1% versus 7.9%; ARR = 4.71 (3.59-6.18); serious past-month distress, 23.0% versus 5.0%; ARR = 3.51 (2.39-5.15); no health insurance, 11.7% versus 6.2%; ARR = 1.71 (1.07-2.74); and receipt of food stamps, 45.0% versus 24.0%; ARR = 1.40 (1.18-1.67). Moving 3 + times in the past year followed a similar pattern, but results were compatible with there being no difference, 10.6% versus 5.5%; ARR = 1.39 (0.86-2.25). The majority of pregnant women reporting illicit substance use endorsed experiencing ≥ 2 psychosocial issues while the majority of those who did not report illicit substance use did not endorse any. Pregnant women who use illicit substances experience higher prevalence and greater co-occurrence of psychosocial issues compared to those who do not, reinforcing recommendations for multidisciplinary approaches to care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Theoretical background: The FinTechs phenomenon is worth discussing as its multidimensional character causes difficulties not only with defining it but also with assessing the impact of its development on the economy and society. The impact of FinTechs on sustainable development is a relatively new field of research. Thus, the paper presents exploratory research aiming to analyse the current areas of FinTechs activity, the state of their development in Europe, and the state of the art in European research on their impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs) achievement. The study applied both inductive and deductive research methods, together with comparative analysis. Purpose of the article: The paper aims to analyse the European FinTechs landscape in the context of their impact on sustainability reflected by SDGs and prepare the framework for further research in this field. Research methods: The theoretical analysis conducted in the paper for defining FinTechs was based on an in-depth literature review, including scientific papers, documents and reports. In this section, the inductive method and comparative analysis were mostly applied. The empirical part of the paper includes the analysis of quantitative data published by the European Commission and Eurostat. This analysis is primarily based on comparative analysis. The framework for further research in this field is based on a systemic literature review (SLR). In this section, the PRISMA methodology was applied. Main findings: There is no doubt that FinTechs have already influenced the financial systems worldwide. In Europe, their disruptive development motivated the traditional market players to adapt their offerings, strategies and business models. They were perceived as market disruptors at the beginning of their operational activity. Today, the vast majority of authors notice their huge potential as sustainability enablers. The systemic literature review proved the worldwide systematically increasing scientific interest in surveying the FinTechs and their contribution to SDGs achievement. This trend has not yet been observed in Europe. Only a few papers directly refer to the relationship between FinTechs and SDGs achievement in European countries. The results have shed light on existing academic literature embracing both FinTech and SDGs issues in Europe, explored emerging trends in current research, and identified the main areas for further investigation.