Social factors influence drug abuse in adolescents; this is partially attributed to peer pressure in humans. Similarly, using rodent models, some research suggests that social housing condition can influence rodents' drug taking behavior. Despite this, few studies have examined the role that intoxicated peers have on drug-naive cage-mates. This dissertation examined how social environment affects opioid sensitivity and hormone production. This was accomplished by comparing the opioid sensitivity of mice housed in mixed cages (some animals received opioids and some were drug-naive) to cages where all the mice were treated with the same drug (all saline or all morphine). These studies identified an adolescent-specific vulnerability to social environment-induced alteration of morphine sensitivity. Interaction with drug-intoxicated cage-mates enhanced locomotor sensitivity in previously drug-naive males and altered their production of testosterone. Conversely, interaction of morphine experienced mice with drug-naive cage-mates afforded protection from the rewarding properties of morphine. In other words, morphine-treated mice housed with drug-naive cage-mates demonstrated attenuated reward compared to morphine-treated mice housed with other morphine-treated mice. In addition, part of the neurobiological basis of the social-environment effect was identified. Antagonism of V1b receptors decreased morphine reward in morphine-treated mice housed only with other morphine-treated mice. These results suggest a role of vasopressin in the peer influence on drug sensitivity observed in adolescents. This body of work further elucidates the role of peer influence on opioid sensitivity. Future studies should further reveal the role of healthy peer relationships and should aid in combating drug abuse in this at-risk demographic.

Abstract Drug abuse is a major public issue concerned by the general public. The objective of this research is to investigate the relation among drug behavior, mental cognition and environmental influences for the first-time adult male drug users. In addition, the correlation between mental cognition and degree of environmental influences will also be studied. Suggestions and strategies derived from the result will be proposed for government authorities for formulating an effective strategy against drug abuse. Through the study and analysis of literature references, different aspects of problems are incorporated into a questionnaire scale. A questionnaire survey is conducted on 431 drug offenders in the Penghu Prison. The results are analyzed using the SPSS 10.0 statistic software to determine the fundamental characteristics of the samples and the presence of dissimilarity and correlation between the mental cognition and environmental influences for samples with different attributes. The result revealed that, in terms of the fundamental characteristics, the age group of first-time adult male users is primarily between 18-24 years old, when teenagers are about to enter their adulthood. The ratio of first-time drug abuse declines with the increase of age. The ratio of heroin and amphetamine used in the first-time drug abuse is 46% versus 54%. Despite the expensive price and addictive nature, no significant reduction is observed in the frequency of heroin use. More single users are observed, indicating that most first-time use takes place before marriage. As for the education level, first-time users are mainly junior high school graduates, and the number declines with higher education received. In terms of occupation, the percentage of labor and driver population are the highest among first-time drug users, while the percentage of farmers, fishermen, soldiers, government servants and teachers are the lowest. Financial ability is the basic requirement of drug abuse; therefore, there is a positive correlation between the percentage of first-time adult male users and the level of monthly income. Having friends who are doing drugs is a prerequisite and hence over 90% of first-time adult male users have, on average, three drug user friends. In regard to the mental cognition, researches discovered that most adult male users are in lack of a deep and correct understanding towards the danger of drugs. Most drug users in general hold a less negative attitude towards drugs and believe they will be luckier. At the same time, they have a higher expectation towards the psychological relief which they believe can be brought upon by drugs. As for the environmental influences, peer pressure has the highest impact on the first-time adult male drug users. Other factors such as cheap drugs and easily accessible drug environment resulted from ineffective anti-drug policies, inadequate media report under highly developed society, curiosity and unhealthy social culture all have a significant influence. Family, however, does not show any significant influence over first-time adult male drug users. Finally, no significant correlation between the mental cognition of self-control on drug behavior and family influence is observed for first-time adult male users in the research conducted on the relation between mental cognition and environmental influences. Yet, a relative degree of correlation exists between the overall mental cognition and environmental influences, where a mutually amplifying characteristic is observed between the two factors. This indicates that mental cognition and environmental influences are both critical risk factors for first-time adult male drug users. Suggestions are made in our research that the promotional tasks should be reinforced, pressure management should be focused, comprehensive family functions should be established, positive development should be encouraged among peers, anti-drug units should be organized, long-term drug abuse monitoring mechanism should be constructed, and alternative thinkings should be incorporated into drug policies. The suggestions are of great importance for preventing first-time drug use by adult males and can be used as a reference by the government.

Thesis (LL. M.)--York University, 2000. Graduate Programme in Law. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-168). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ56200.

Background This paper provides an updated review of the literature on drug prevention programmes (from 2001 to July2011) and reports the findings from these previous studies on the effectiveness and nature of present drug prevention practices. Relevant data on the effectiveness of drug prevention intervention among adolescents has been summarised and examined. In addition, this paper identifies various essential elements that have the potential for creating and providing effective drug prevention strategies, whether to prevent substance misuse or to minimise the harm caused. Different prevention strategies will also be discussed, including: social influence approach, refusal skill training, and motivational interviewing. Design The paper will conduct a review of the previous literature. Aims This literature review proposes to: 1. Review all of the published evidence from research which was conducted between 2001and 2011 on the effectiveness of drug prevention programmes for adolescents. 2. Identify findings and recommendations regarding the content, approaches, format, theoretical bases, and methods associated with an effective drug prevention program. 3. Discuss any potential or proved effective components on a drug prevention program in tackling such drug abuse problems. Methods Two searching engines (i.e. PubMed and Medline) were used to find the relevant papers and journals which have been published within the past ten years (i.e. 2001 to 2011). Studies about the evaluation of the effectiveness of drug education and prevention strategies, targeting the most vulnerable group (i.e. aged between 12 and 25) were included. Results Twenty four studies met the criteria and were reviewed in depth. Thirteen of them evaluated the effectiveness of school-based interventions, including the school-based drug testing program. The remaining papers evaluated the effectiveness of non-school based prevention interventions in different approaches such as social influence, parental cooperation, refusal skills education, and life skills training. Conclusions Social influence approaches were evidenced as the most effective intervention to prevent drug abuse. Interventions that are conducted interactively (e.g. simulated scenario and role-playing) are more effective than providing normative information. Gender differences were found in some of the interventions. However, it is recommended that further research should be conducted to evaluate these results. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Sociology

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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