Browsing by Author "Galvin, Deborah M"

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    Concurrent use of methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, GHB, and flunitrazepam among American youths.
    (Drug and alcohol dependence, 2006-09) Wu, Li-Tzy; Schlenger, William E; Galvin, Deborah M
    The magnitude and the characteristics of the use of methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide), ketamine, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), and flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) were examined in a probability sample of the U.S. civilian population that included multiethnic urban, suburban, and rural youths aged 16-23 (N=19,084).Data were drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the characteristics associated with the use of each of these drugs and of multiple drugs.Approximately 20% of youths aged 16-23 reported having ever used one or more of these drugs. Less than 1% of club drug users used club drugs only, and 82% of them had ever used three or more drug classes. Females were more likely than males to report using multiple club drugs. Recent users of methamphetamine were most likely to be females and adolescents aged 16 or 17. Recent users of MDMA tended to be young adults aged 18-21 and residents of metropolitan areas. Most recent users of LSD were adolescents aged 16-19 and those in low-income families. Ketamine users were primarily employed youths. Staying in school and getting married were associated with decreased odds of club drug use. Club drug use was highly associated with the presence of criminal behaviors and recent alcohol abuse or dependence.Adolescents are more likely than young adults to use multiple drugs. The clustering of multidrug use and alcohol use disorder is a cause of concern.
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    Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community.
    (Drug and alcohol dependence, 2007-07) Wu, Li-Tzy; Pilowsky, Daniel J; Schlenger, William E; Galvin, Deborah M
    Gender differences in the prevalence and characteristics of misuse of methamphetamine (meth) and prescription stimulants were examined in a representative US sample of youths and young adults aged 16-25 (N=24,409).Stimulant misusers were categorized into three mutually exclusive subgroups: meth users only, meth and prescription stimulant users, and prescription stimulant users only (e.g., Benzedrine, Ritalin, or Dexedrine). Multinominal logistic regression analyses identified the characteristics associated with misuse of meth and prescription stimulants.About 1 in 10 youths reported any misuse of stimulants in their lifetime. Prescription stimulant misuse occurred earlier and was more frequent than meth misuse. About 47% of meth misusers also reported prescription stimulant misuse. Among misusers of meth and prescription stimulants, males were more likely than females to misuse methylphenidate (82% versus 65%) but were less likely to misuse diet pills or amphetamines (37% versus 49%). Multinominal logistic regression analyses indicated that all subgroups of lifetime stimulant misuse were associated with past year substance abuse. The characteristics of meth misusers differed slightly from prescription stimulants misusers.Multidrug use is common among stimulant misusers. Parents should be informed about the risk of prescription stimulant misuse by their youths.
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    The relationship between employment and substance use among students aged 12 to 17.
    (The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2003-01) Wu, Li Tzy; Schlenger, William E; Galvin, Deborah M
    PURPOSE:To examine the association between employment status and substance use among students aged 12 to 17 years. METHODS:Secondary analysis of data from the 1995 and 1996 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse was conducted. The survey is a primary source of data on licit and illicit drug use among noninstitutionalized Americans aged 12 years or older. Participants are interviewed at their places of residence. Multiple logistic regression procedures yielded estimated associations. RESULTS:About one in six adolescents reported both going to school and holding a job. Approximately one-fourth of students smoked cigarettes, and one-third consumed alcohol in the past year. An estimated 1.6% of students were current heavy cigarette smokers, and 2.6% were current heavy alcohol users. One-year prevalence estimates of any illicit drug use and heavy illicit drug use were 16.7% and 1.8%, respectively. Among students employed full time, prevalence estimates increased to 9.7% for heavy cigarette smoking, 13.1% for heavy alcohol use, 38.1% for any illicit drug use, and 5.0% for heavy illicit drug use. Logistic regression analyses supported relatively high rates of cigarette use, alcohol use, illicit drug use, and heavy substance use among working students. Mental health problems, especially externalizing behavioral syndromes, were found to coexist with the use and heavy use of substances. The observed associations varied somewhat by gender. CONCLUSIONS:The workplace may be an appropriate venue for establishing substance use prevention and early intervention programs focused on younger workers, including adolescents who work part time.