Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The use and abuse of illicit drugs is a challenge which affects people on a global scale and South Africa. The use of a new street drug known as nyaope (whonga) has been on the rise in the country amongst the youth, including university students. Its use is associated with a wide range of negative consequences such as poor academic performance, aggression, vandalism, rape, risky sexual behaviours, and social dysfunctionality. The main objective of this study was to explore the self-reported experiences and behaviours of students who use nyaope at the University of Limpopo. The study was qualitative in nature as the researcher wanted to gather first-hand, in-depth information. The sample was purposive in nature and consisted of 6 participants. Quality criteria were used to ensure the quality and rigour of the findings. Thematic content analysis (TCA) was used to analyse data. Six major themes emerged from the analysis which were supported by existing findings. The themes were identified as: causes of drug use, frequency of drug use, experiences of students, knowledge about the negative implications of the drug and self-reported behaviours. Participants reported experiencing a decline in academic performance, deteriorating relationships with others, poor physical and psychological wellbeing, behavioural changes and perceiving that they were discriminated against. The findings of this study are useful to aid in informing policy and interventions at the University. They may also help psychologists who work with drug abusers

<p> Illicit drug abuse is a widespread issue in the United States and worldwide. Many methods  seek to ease the analytical workload required to collect, analyze, and identify these drugs. Paper  spray-mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is one response to this analytical workload as it offers a rapid,  affordable, and simple means for drug identification by mass spectrometry. This work centers on  the use of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) lined paper as a PS-MS substrate for drug recovery  and detection. The use of PSA paper as a sampling and analysis substrate has been previously  established but is expanded herein with new capabilities and applications. Chapter 2 introduces  the combination of color tests followed by PS-MS for presumptive and confirmatory drug  identification. Three color tests (cobalt thiocyanate, Simon, or Marquis) were performed on the  PSA paper with subsequent drug confirmation occurring by PS-MS. Chapter 3 examines the use  of PSA paper and PS-MS for the recovery and detection of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, and  analogs from shipping-related surfaces and in the presence of high amounts of cutting agents. The  use of a cartridge that accommodates a full-sized PSA paper ticket was also explored for drug  detection. Chapter 4 assesses PS-MS with PSA paper on portable MS instrumentation. Analyte  recovery and carryover as well as instrument robustness were evaluated. The color test and PS-MS protocol examined in Chapter 2 was also successfully applied to a portable MS instrument.  Application of PS-MS to the portable system highlights the potential fieldability of the technique. </p>

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New synthetic drugs are a new phenomenon that is expanding in many countries. NSD mimic the effects of traditional drugs phenomenological, but retain the hallmark of legal substances. NSD legal status is due to the fact that theses new substances are controlled by the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 or the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. To the Czech Republic this trend came somewhat later than in neighboring countries, and especially in 2010, when sales NSD was mainly in shops. This sale was completed in April 2011 becouse of entering 33th NSD to the list of psychotropic and narcotic substances and moved mostly to the internet. NSD composition is often changing, due to disabling preparatory material, it follows that the risks associated with the use of NSD are unpredictable. The research objective of this study is to determine the acquisition and distribution of NSD between problem drug users and also to map the most widely used NSD among this population.The main purpose of the research is to bring knowledge (as it's called, how it look, what it contains, where and from whom it receives, how much it costs). The survey was made up of semi-structures interviews (qualitative part) and structured questionnaires (quantitative part). Respondents were selected...

This dissertation aims to provide a strategic qualitative economic analysis of the illicit drug trafficking industry as it evolved in its modern form across the Americas in the latter part of the 20th century, with principal focus on Colombia and Mexico, and to assess its impact on the security environment in the Americas with the ultimate ambition to provide tangible recommendations for complex disruptive countermeasures. The key premise upon which all the conclusions are later formulated is that trafficking in illicit substances is primarily an entrepreneurial activity aimed to generate profit and economic approach to the issue therefore yields the most promising prospects for tangible results. Narcoterrorism in its own merit, and drug-related violence in general, is contemplated, analyzed and explained as one of the key tactics inherent to the trafficking business model. Finally, a critical assessment of existing counter-narcotics strategies is performed in order to outline deficiencies of these policies with the aim to provide alternative and more effective countermeasures against illicit trafficking.

Este estudo apresenta o desenvolvimento da metodologia de extração em fase sólida e separação em cromatográfica líquida acoplada a espectrometria de massas em sequencia, SPE-LC-MS/MS, para a determinação de 21 (vinte e um) fármacos pertencentes a diferentes classes terapeuticas, 1 (uma) droga de abuso e seu principal metabólito, em amostras de água superficial. A separação cromatográfica foi otimizada estudando o desempenho de fases estacionárias e fases móvies. A quantificação dos compostos selecionados foi realizada com a ionização por eletronebulização (electrospray ionization- ESI) e o espectrômetro de massas operando no modo de Monitoramento de Múltiplas Reações (Multiplas Reaction Monitoring- MRM). A validação da metodologia proposta foi realizada utilizando os parâmetros de seletividade, efeito de matriz, faixa de trabalho, linearidade, limites de detecção (LD) e quantificação (LQ), precisão, exatidão, recuperação e robustez. A validação da metodologia permitiu a sua aplicação na avaliação da distribuição dos 23 compostos selecionados, nas águas da represa Guarapiranga, um dos principais sistemas produtor de água potável da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP). A presença desses poluentes nos ambientes aquáticos é proveniente da liberação direta do esgoto urbano das habitações do seu entorno, como consequência do precário sistema de saneamento básico. As águas da represa Guarapiranga foram avaliadas em 14 (quatorze) locais estrategicamente escolhidos e amostradas durante 3 (três) campanhas de coleta de amostra (agosto de 2011, setembro de 2012 e abril de 2013). Nessas amostras foram quantificados acetaminofeno (9,6 - 254 ng L-1), atenolol (8,5 177 ng L-1), benzoilegonina (7,9 139 ng L-1), cafeína (27 27386 ng L-1), carbamazepina (12 358 ng L-1), clortalidona (9,4 35 ng L-1), cocaína (12,8 2650 ng L-1), diclofenaco (8 35 ng L-1), enalapril (20 ng L-1), losartana (6,7 114 ng L-1) e valsartana (9,7 - 47 ng L-1). O ponto de coleta denominado de GU103-12 (23°4188.5S 46°4467.3W) foi a região que apresentou os valores mais elevados quanto ao nível de concentração dos compostos avaliados e ao índice de risco integrado de poluição química aquática (Integrated Risk Index of Chemical Aquatic Pollution IRICAP). O estudo também foi realizado em amostras de água de reservatórios das Unidades de Gerenciamento de Recursos Hídricos (UGRHI) 5 e 6 do Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados demonstraram que o uso e a ocupação do solo influenciam diretamente na qualidade da água dos reservatórios, evidenciando a necessidade de implementar melhorias no sistema de coleta de esgoto e de ocupação irregular para evitar a contaminação e o descarte inadequado em ambientes aquáticos. / This study presents the development of the methodology of solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry, SPE-LC-MS/MS, for the determination of 21 (twenty one) pharmaceuticals belonging to different therapeutic groups, 1 (one) illicit drug and its major metabolite, in surface water samples. The chromatographic separation was optimized by studying the performance of different stationary and mobile phases. Quantitation of selected compounds was performed by electrospray ionization (ESI) and the mass spectrometer operating in a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The validation of the proposed methodology was performed using the parameters of selectivity, matrix effect, dynamic range, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, recovery and robustness. The validation of methodology allowed to apply the methodology in the evaluation of the distribution of the 23 (twenty one) selected compounds, in Guarapiranga Dam waters, an of the major producer system of drinking water of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP). The presence of these pollutants in aquatic environments is from the direct release of urban sewage from the homes of your surroundings, as a result of poor sanitation system. The waters of Guarapiranga dam were evaluated in 14 (fourteen) locations strategically chosen and sampled in 3 (three) campaigns of sample collection (August 2011, September 2012 and April 2013). In these samples were quantified acetaminophen (9.6 - 254 ng L-1), atenolol (8.5 - 177 ng L-1), benzoylegonine (7.9 - 139 ng L-1), caffeine (27 - 27386 ng L-1) carbamazepine (12 - 358 ng L-1), chlorthalidone (9.4 - 35 ng L-1), cocaine (12.8 - 2560 ng L-1), diclofenac (8 - 36 ng L-1), enalapril (20 ng L-1), losartan (6.7 - 114 ng L-1) and valsartan (9.7 - 47 ng L-1). The sample siting GU103-12 (23°4188.5S 46°4467.3W) was the region with the highest values in the level of concentration of the target compounds and the integrated risk index of chemical aquatic pollution (IRICAP). The study was also conducted on water samples from reservoirs of the UGRHI (Unit of Water Resources Management) 5 and 6, State o São Paulo. The results showed that the use and occupation of land directly influence the reservoir water quality highlighting the need to implement improvements in sewage collection system and illegal occupation to prevent contamination and the improper disposal in aquatic environments.

abstract: This dissertation critically evaluated methodologies and devices for assessing and protecting the health of human populations, with particular emphasis on groundwater remediation and the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to inform population health. A meta-analysis and assessment of laboratory-scale treatability studies for removing chlorinated solvents from groundwater found that sediment microcosms operated as continuous-flow columns are preferable to batch bottles when seeking to emulate with high fidelity the complex conditions prevailing in the subsurface in contaminated aquifers (Chapter 2). Compared to monitoring at the field-scale, use of column microcosms also showed (i) improved chemical speciation, and (ii) qualitative predictability of field parameters (Chapter 3). Monitoring of glucocorticoid hormones in wastewater of a university campus showed (i) elevated stress levels particularly at the start of the semester, (ii) on weekdays relative to weekend days (p = 0.05) (161 ± 42 μg d-1 per person, 122 ± 54 μg d-1 per person; p ≤ 0.05), and (iii) a positive association between levels of stress hormones and nicotine (rs: 0.49) and caffeine (0.63) consumption in this student population (Chapter 4). Also, (i) alcohol consumption determined by WBE was in line with literature estimates for this young sub-population (11.3 ± 7.5 g d-1 per person vs. 10.1 ± 0.8 g d-1 per person), whereas caffeine and nicotine uses were below (114 ± 49 g d-1 per person, 178 ± 19 g d-1 per person; 627 ± 219 g d-1 per person, 927 ± 243 g d-1 per person). The introduction of a novel continuous in situ sampler to WBE brought noted benefits relative to traditional time-integrated sampling, including (i) a higher sample coverage (93% vs. 3%), (ii) an ability to captured short-term analyte pulses (e.g., heroin, fentanyl, norbuprenorphine, and methadone), and (iii) an overall higher mass capture for drugs of abuse like morphine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and the opioid antagonist metabolite norbuprenorphine (p ≤ 0.01). Methods and devices developed in this work are poised to find applications in the remediation sector and in human health assessments. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2018

Aim: To examine prospectively over a period of 4 years the profile of cannabis dependence and the risk of specific dependence criteria in a community sample of adolescents. Methods: A representative community sample of 2446 young adults aged 14–24 years at baseline was followed up over a period of 4 years. Frequency of use measures and of criteria for DSM-IV dependence were assessed by standardized diagnostic interview measures (CIDI). To explore the nature of this association, frequency of use and concomitant use of other psychoactive substances was considered. Results: 30% of the sample were cannabis users. Among all users 35% met at least one dependence criterion. Most frequently reported dependence criteria among all users were withdrawal (17%), tolerance (15%), loss of control (14%) and continued use despite a health problem (13%). Even without concomitant use of other illicit drugs, 22% of low frequency users and 81% of high frequency users met at least one dependence criterion. Symptom patterns were similar in high and low frequency users. The occurrence of a dependence syndrome or of specific dependence criteria could not be attributed to the use of other illicit drugs or to comorbid nicotine and alcohol dependence. Conclusions: Regular cannabis use in adolescence is associated with the development of a dependence syndrome. This association cannot be explained by the concomitant use of other illicit substances or by comorbid nicotine and alcohol dependence.

<p>HIV poses considerable social and health challenges in South Africa, particularly among young people aged 15-24. Research indicates a strong link between risky sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drugs. In the Western Cape drug-related behaviours is a growing concern among young people because of relatively high prevalence rates of drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Previous South African studies have tended to focused on the link between substance use and risky sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers. The theoretical approach of this study is the information motivation behavioural skills model. Participants were selected using non-probability sampling of 279 first year students registered for Psychology I at the University of the Western Cape. This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Results: Forty-six percent of students do not believe that the use of illicit drugs has an impact on a person&rsquo / s sexual behavior. However, the findings also showed that only 45% of students believed that there was a difference between illicit drug users correctly using condoms when compared to non-users. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusion: Prevention is our best and most effective means of decreasing risk-taking behaviours associated with HIV infection. Information is the first line of intervention that is necessary to reduce risk-taking behaviours / however prevention strategies and interventions of risk-taking behaviours should aim to increase motivation and help young people integrate information in a way that it is personally relatable. This is vital to address the inconsistencies between perceptions of risk and the realities of risk-taking behaviour.</p>

<p>HIV poses considerable social and health challenges in South Africa, particularly among young people aged 15-24. Research indicates a strong link between risky sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drugs. In the Western Cape drug-related behaviours is a growing concern among young people because of relatively high prevalence rates of drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Previous South African studies have tended to focused on the link between substance use and risky sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers. The theoretical approach of this study is the information motivation behavioural skills model. Participants were selected using non-probability sampling of 279 first year students registered for Psychology I at the University of the Western Cape. This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Results: Forty-six percent of students do not believe that the use of illicit drugs has an impact on a person&rsquo / s sexual behavior. However, the findings also showed that only 45% of students believed that there was a difference between illicit drug users correctly using condoms when compared to non-users. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusion: Prevention is our best and most effective means of decreasing risk-taking behaviours associated with HIV infection. Information is the first line of intervention that is necessary to reduce risk-taking behaviours / however prevention strategies and interventions of risk-taking behaviours should aim to increase motivation and help young people integrate information in a way that it is personally relatable. This is vital to address the inconsistencies between perceptions of risk and the realities of risk-taking behaviour.</p>