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The present study examined characteristics and factors related to nonprescription use of stimulant medications in college-aged populations. Prior researchers have shown that students do not perceive that taking these medications is illegal or that the medications have negative effects (DeSantis & Hane, 2010; Rabiner et al., 2009). Therefore, we examined the perceptions of legal and health risks that are associated with consumption of stimulant medication along with motivations for use and other perceptions of use. The psychology research pool was used to recruit 995 undergraduate students to the survey. Data analysis showed that the combination of sharing and selling is the most commonly endorsed method of diversion for prescription stimulant medications. Analyses also showed that those involved in using nonprescription stimulants perceived lower legal and health risks compared to those uninvolved. Future research should continue to explore diversion behaviors and risks and benefits between users and non-users.

The problem was to identify the differences in attitudes of public school students at various educational levels toward selected drugs, and to determine the relationship between those attitudes and students' knowledge of drugs.

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Nurses who work with people who use drugs in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver (DTES), British Columbia are on the forefront in advancing a harm reduction framework in very controversial, cutting-edge practice environments. The purpose of this study was to explore how these nurses, using the framework of harm reduction, make sense of their nursing practice. It is hoped that the results of this study may advance adopting a harm reduction framework in nursing practice, education and policy development and serve as the foundation for further nursing research. This study utilized a qualitative interpretive descriptive methodology to gather data from eight nurses who work with people who use drugs in harm reduction practice environments. The nurses were divided into two focus groups and data was collected through a semi-structured focus group interview. Following initial data analysis, each focus group was reconvened and a second semi-structured group interview was held to clarify and to further discuss the emerging themes. The data analysis proceeded simultaneously with the interviews utilizing a process of constant comparative analysis. I completed the thematic analysis as I moved between the transcripts and identified commonalties and variations within the emerging themes. Ultimately, I described one overarching theme, which encapsulated the range of experiences described by the nurses. The theme that I identified was: meeting people where they are at. The importance to the nurses of both the therapeutic nurse-client relationship and a commitment to praxis were apparent. In conclusion, the value the nurses placed on "meeting people where they are at" was integral in gaining an understanding of how they make sense of their nursing work.

Nurses who work with people who use drugs in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver (DTES), British Columbia are on the forefront in advancing a harm reduction framework in very controversial, cutting-edge practice environments. The purpose of this study was to explore how these nurses, using the framework of harm reduction, make sense of their nursing practice. It is hoped that the results of this study may advance adopting a harm reduction framework in nursing practice, education and policy development and serve as the foundation for further nursing research. This study utilized a qualitative interpretive descriptive methodology to gather data from eight nurses who work with people who use drugs in harm reduction practice environments. The nurses were divided into two focus groups and data was collected through a semi-structured focus group interview. Following initial data analysis, each focus group was reconvened and a second semi-structured group interview was held to clarify and to further discuss the emerging themes. The data analysis proceeded simultaneously with the interviews utilizing a process of constant comparative analysis. I completed the thematic analysis as I moved between the transcripts and identified commonalties and variations within the emerging themes. Ultimately, I described one overarching theme, which encapsulated the range of experiences described by the nurses. The theme that I identified was: meeting people where they are at. The importance to the nurses of both the therapeutic nurse-client relationship and a commitment to praxis were apparent. In conclusion, the value the nurses placed on "meeting people where they are at" was integral in gaining an understanding of how they make sense of their nursing work.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify demographic and psychosocial correlates of illicit drug use among pregnant women and to explore the life experiences and circumstances that contribute to women’s use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design consisting of quantitative and qualitative components was used. The results of the quantitative component found that women who are depressed, of First Nations ethnicity, drink alcohol during pregnancy, smoke during pregnancy, and have low self-esteem are more likely to use illicit drugs during pregnancy. The qualitative component of the study identified four themes that impacted women’s use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. These included: (1) living a chaotic life as a child, (2) complicated life circumstances, (3) social support system, and (4) the road to recovery. The information gathered during this study will inform practice and policy and may guide future research in this area.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify demographic and psychosocial correlates of illicit drug use among pregnant women and to explore the life experiences and circumstances that contribute to women’s use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design consisting of quantitative and qualitative components was used. The results of the quantitative component found that women who are depressed, of First Nations ethnicity, drink alcohol during pregnancy, smoke during pregnancy, and have low self-esteem are more likely to use illicit drugs during pregnancy. The qualitative component of the study identified four themes that impacted women’s use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. These included: (1) living a chaotic life as a child, (2) complicated life circumstances, (3) social support system, and (4) the road to recovery. The information gathered during this study will inform practice and policy and may guide future research in this area.

No description available.