Wong, Ngai Sze. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-190). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.I / 論文摘要 --- p.II / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.III / TABLES OF CONTENTS --- p.V / LIST OF ACRONYMS --- p.IX / LIST OF TABLES --- p.X / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XI / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.XIII / Chapter CHPATER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- BACKGROUND & CONTEXT --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Methadone Maintenance Treatment --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1.1. --- Definition of Methadone Maintenance Treatment --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1.2. --- The Role of Methadone Maintenance Treatment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.1.3. --- Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Hong Kong --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- Utilization of Methadone Treatment --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2.1. --- Definition of Utilization --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2.2. --- Utilization Study in Methadone Treatment --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- Geographic Information System Application --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2. --- STUDY AREA --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3. --- RATIONALE & SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4. --- RESEARCH QUESTIONS --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5. --- RESEARCH OBJECTIVES --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6. --- STUDY PROCEDURES --- p.21 / Chapter 1.7. --- STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY --- p.23 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW OF METHADONE TREATMENT UTILIZATION STUDY --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1 --- METHADONE TREATMENT UTILIZATION STUDIES --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Individual Determinants --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Predisposing Factors --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Enabling Factors --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Illness Level --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Health Service System --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Resource --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Organization --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2 --- ANALYSIS METHODS IN METHADONE TREATMENT UTILIZATION STUDIES --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Common Measures --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Study Approach --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Analysis Methods --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Geographic Information System --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3 --- METHADONE TREATMENT UTILIZATION STUDY IN HONG KONG --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4 --- SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.45 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1. --- DEFINITION OF UTILIZATION AND LOCAL UTILIZATION --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2. --- CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR MMT UTILIZATION --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Framework Selection --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Components of Andersen & Newman，s Framework for Health Service Utilization --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3. --- DATA SOURCE --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Official Data --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Survey --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Interviews --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- Case Study-Survey in a Methadone Clinic in Tai Po --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.4.1. --- Survey Subject --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.4.2. --- Rationale for the Survey --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.4.3. --- Sampling Methods --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3.4.4. --- Questionnaire Design --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.5. --- Digitized Maps --- p.62 / Chapter 3.4. --- DATA PROCESSING AND MANAGEMENT --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- District Utilization and Local Utilization Calculation --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Questionnaire Data Processing --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.2.1. --- Data Entry & Coding --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.2.2. --- Digitizing a GIS Layer --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.2.3. --- Estimated Location of User Home --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.2.4. --- Sufficiency Level --- p.67 / Chapter 3.4.3. --- Database Management --- p.68 / Chapter 3.5. --- TECHNIQUES TO ANALYZE DATA --- p.70 / Chapter 3.5.1. --- Descriptive Analysis for Spatiotemporal Utilization Pattern --- p.70 / Chapter 3.5.2. --- Quantitative Analysis for Factor Exploration --- p.70 / Chapter 3.5.2.1. --- Assumptions for Correlation and Regression Analysis --- p.70 / General Assumptions --- p.70 / Data Assumptions --- p.72 / Factor Assumptions --- p.73 / Chapter 3.5.2.2. --- Factors Included in the Study Framework --- p.74 / Societal Determinants --- p.75 / Health Services System --- p.76 / Individual Determinants --- p.78 / Chapter 3.5.2.3. --- Pearson´ةs Correlation --- p.80 / Chapter 3.5.2.4. --- Multiple Stepwise Linear Regression --- p.81 / Chapter 3.5.3. --- Quantitative Analysis for Spatial Factor Study --- p.84 / Chapter 3.5.3.1. --- Catchments --- p.84 / Chapter 3.5.3.2. --- Spatial Autocorrelation --- p.89 / Chapter 3.5.4. --- Curve Estimation --- p.90 / Chapter 3.6. --- GIS Customized Tools --- p.90 / Chapter 3.6.1. --- GIS System Literature Review --- p.90 / Chapter 3.6.2. --- Customized Tools Design --- p.92 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- ANALYSIS OF MMT UTILIZATION: A CASE STUDY IN HONG KONG … --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1. --- GENERAL DESCRIPTION --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2. --- HEROIN ADDICTION IN HONG KONG --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Spatiotemporal Pattern of Heroin Addiction --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Characteristics of Heroin Users in Hong Kong --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3. --- MMT USERS IN HONG KONG --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Characteristics of Methadone Clinics --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Characteristics of MMT Users --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.2.1. --- Predisposing Factors of MMT Users --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.2.2. --- Spatial movement of MMT user --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.2.3. --- Clinic Environment-Gathering Place --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.2.4. --- Unique Clinics --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Spatiotemporal Patterns of MMT Users --- p.110 / Chapter 4.4. --- INDIVIDUAL UTILIZATION STUDY - SURVEY IN A METHADONE CLINIC IN TAIPO --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4.1. --- Methadone Clinic Users in Tai Po --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4.2. --- Characteristics of Respondents --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4.2.1. --- Demographic Characteristics --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4.2.2. --- Utilization Level --- p.115 / Chapter 4.4.2.3. --- Spatial Factors and Distribution --- p.116 / Chapter 4.4.3. --- Factors Affecting the Utilization of Tai Po Methadone Clinic --- p.120 / Chapter 4.5. --- CATCHMENTS OF METHADONE CLINICS IN HONG KONG --- p.122 / Chapter 4.5.1. --- Voronoi polygons --- p.123 / Chapter 4.5.2. --- Network Analysis based on travel time --- p.124 / Chapter 4.5.2.1. --- Catchments of Methadone Clinic in Tai Po --- p.125 / Chapter 4.5.2.2. --- Projected Catchments for All Clinics in Hong Kong --- p.126 / Chapter 4.6. --- SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERN AND SPATIAL RELATIONS OF MMT UTILIZATION --- p.128 / Chapter 4.6.1. --- MMT Utilization --- p.128 / Chapter 4.6.2. --- MMT Local Utilization --- p.131 / Chapter 4.6.3. --- Spatial Relations of MMT Utilization --- p.133 / Chapter 4.7. --- PREDICTORS OF MMT UTILIZATION AND LOCAL UTILIZATION --- p.134 / Chapter 4.7.1. --- Health Care Systems --- p.135 / Chapter 4.7.1.1. --- Resource --- p.135 / Operating Hours --- p.135 / Nearest clinic distance --- p.137 / Distance between a clinic and its nearest clinic in other districts --- p.138 / Chapter 4.7.1.2. --- Accessibility --- p.138 / Chapter 4.7.2. --- Individual Determinants --- p.139 / Chapter 4.7.2.1. --- Predisposing Determinants --- p.140 / Age --- p.140 / Gender --- p.140 / Education --- p.141 / Chapter 4.7.2.2. --- Behavioral Determinant´ؤInjection --- p.141 / Chapter 4.8. --- FUTURE MMT UTILIZATION IN HONG KONG --- p.143 / Chapter 4.9. --- SERVICE GAPS --- p.144 / Chapter 4.10. --- SUMMARY OF STUDY RESULTS --- p.152 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- DISCUSSION --- p.153 / Chapter 5.1. --- DISCUSSIONS ON THE RELEVANCE OF UTILIZATION PREDICTORS --- p.154 / Chapter 5.2. --- DISCUSSIONS ON METHADONE CLINIC CLOSURE --- p.159 / Chapter 5.3. --- RESEARCH LIMITATION --- p.164 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Data Limitation --- p.164 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Time & Resource Limitation --- p.165 / Chapter 5.3.3. --- Technical Limitation --- p.165 / Chapter 5.4. --- RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.167 / Chapter 5.4.1. --- Recommendations for Methadone Treatment System --- p.167 / Chapter 5.4.2. --- For the Society --- p.169 / Chapter 5.4.3. --- For Further Study --- p.172 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.174 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.177 / APPENDICES --- p.191

Thesis (M. Ed. (Educational Management)) --University of Limpopo, 2011

Increased demands on amphetamine dependence treatment services point to a need for effective pharmacotherapies for withdrawal symptom suppression. However, empirical data on which to base effective treatments are scarce. To address the need for an evidence base, four studies were conducted in two countries - Australia and Thailand. Firstly, the time course and severity of amphetamine withdrawal symptoms were characterised in two inpatient samples of amphetamine users. Results identified the first week of abstinence as an acute withdrawal phase characterised by increased sleeping, eating and a cluster of mood and anxiety - related symptoms. Following the acute phase, most withdrawal symptoms remained stable and at low levels for the remaining two weeks of abstinence ( the sub - acute phase ). Data from these two studies formed the basis for a new instrument, the Amphetamine Cessation Symptom Assessment scale ( ACSA ). On psychometric testing, the ACSA showed satisfactory reliability and a clear psychometric structure, delineating symptom clusters and their correlates with a three factor solution providing the best fit to the data. Using the ACSA to measure outcome, the safety and efficacy of the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor antidepressant mirtazapine ( 15 - 60 mg per day, n = 13 ), and the wake-promoting drug, modafinil ( 400mg per day, n = 14 ) were assessed in successive, open - label, inpatient pilot trials. Study medication was administered for up to ten days. An historical comparison group ( n = 22 ) who received treatment as usual consisting of pericyazine 2.5 - 10mg per day for control of agitation served as a comparison. Results showed that modafinil and mirtazapine were well tolerated, producing minimal positive subjective effects. There were significant group differences in withdrawal severity ( F = 18.6, df 2,219 p < 0.001 ). Post - hoc analysis showed that modafinil was more effective than mirtazapine ( p = 0.041 ), and both were more effective than treatment as usual ( both p < 0.001 ) in ameliorating withdrawal severity. Overall, these studies identified a peak in withdrawal severity during the first week of abstinence ; demonstrated the reliability and validity of the ACSA and identified modafinil as a safe and potentially effective pharmacotherapy for the treatment of amphetamine withdrawal symptoms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Medical School, 2005.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Ronet Bachman, Dept. of Sociology. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

The subject of this thesis is criminal justice sentencing policy. The thesis examines the role of the Drug Court in diverting drug dependent offenders from the conventional Criminal Justice System. A large percentage of convicted offenders have a drug addiction problem and such offenders impose staggering burdens on an already overwhelmed Criminal Justice System. Diversion programs offer a practicable alternative to the traditional court system, and this thesis will investigate the feasibility of a Drug Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In examining the advantages and disadvantages of this method of sentencing, the thesis assesses the value of compulsory treatment and determines whether criminal justice sanctions should incorporate compulsory treatment initiatives. To aid in this analysis, additional diversion programs for drug addicted offenders are examined. The Drug Court is assessed through a comparison of the court with traditional sentencing principles. This thesis analyses the success of the Drug Court in other jurisdictions and looks at how the Drug Court deals with the sociological and environmental factors linked to drug abuse and criminality. In determining whether a Drug Court is a feasible option for Vancouver, the thesis examines these external crimogenic factors and the strategies undertaken by the City to combat drug-related crime. It is argued that the conventional criminal justice system provides little, if any, progressive and pro-active drug abuse intervention. This thesis concludes that Vancouver should implement a Drug Court to divert offenders from the traditional court system, and argues that the Drug Court diversion program should be available for drug-dependent property offenders. It identifies how the court can operate alongside pre-existing community services to ensure that post-release environmental conditions are conducive to drug abstinence and legitimate activity. In recommending adoption of the drug court program, the thesis stresses the importance of making this diversion scheme part of a community-based, long-term, holistic intervention strategy. The thesis ends with practical suggestions for implementation of a Drug Court program in Vancouver.

The problem of drugs in Oman has assumed serious proportions in recent years. It leads to creation of an underground economy and is associated with loss of skilled manpower. However, the problem has several dimensions. It has direct and indirect adverse effects. In response to increases in both worldwide drug production and drug demand in Oman, law makers in Oman instituted legal measures designed to protect the health, welfare and finance of people from the effects of drug use. In addition, law makers in Oman have recognized that trade in illicit drugs is a global activity and that drug-related activities are associated with other criminal behaviour; therefore they have tried to honour the spirit of international conventions related to drug control. Thus, the Drug Act No. 17 was passed in March 1999 and came into force on 6th April 1999, to regulate the procedures regarding the trafficking and trade of drugs in Oman. The most striking feature of the new law is a 'death penalty. The death penalty would be applied to those charged with drug trafficking and smuggling, as laid down in article No 43. Therefore, the question is can the death penalty deter criminals from committing trafficking and smuggling in drugs? No research has been done to examine the effect of the new drug law in Oman. This thesis aims to fill that gap and investigate the impact of the new drugs law in Oman. Data collection for the study was carried out using three methods: questionnaire, semi-structured interview and documentary data from police files before and after the introduction of the death penalty for the period from 1st April 1996 to 31st March 2002. The total period covered was 72 months. Statistical reports and other research papers carried out in Oman and other countries were also reviewed. The results of testing a number of hypotheses indicated that since the introduction of the death penalty for drug offences, the numbers of drug arrests and the incidence of violence related to drug offences have increased. In addition, the smuggling of drugs by sea has increased. Moreover, heroin trafficking has increased since the introduction of the death penalty. The study found that there is a lack of knowledge about drugs (the types of drugs, punishment, addictions treatment and belief about drug effects) among both groups of participants, drug offenders and non-drug offenders. Finally, the findings of this study indicate that the introduction of the death penalty in Oman does not deter drug offenders from involvement in drug related offences in general and drug trafficking offences in particular.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 486-509).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1979.