Background
Some
commentators have suggested legal highs (LH) might reduce existing illegal drug
use and contribute to lower drug-related harm. However, no studies have
specifically investigated substitution between LH and other drugs.
Aims
To
explore the extent to which police detainees substitute LH for illegal drugs
Method
A
total of 848 detainees at four central police stations were interviewed about
their drug and LH use. Detainees were asked what impact their LH use had on
their other drug use (i.e., ‘no change’, ‘more’, ‘less’ or ‘stopped’). The
detainees were placed into four groups: (i) no LH use; (ii) LH use and ‘no
change’ in drug use; (iii) LH use and ‘more’ drug use; (iv) LH use and ‘less’
or ‘stopped’ drug use. Demographics and levels of drug use in the past month
were compared between groups.
Results
Ninety-six
percent of the LH using detainees had used synthetic cannabinoids (SC), and, of
those who reported substituting a drug, 94% had substituted (natural) cannabis.
Overall, 54% of the detainee sample had not used SC, 34% had used SC but not
changed their cannabis use, 9% had used SC and used ‘less’ or ‘stopped’ cannabis
use, and 3% had used SC and used ‘more’ cannabis. The SC users were more likely
to have recently been in drug treatment. All those who used SC had higher
cannabis consumption regardless of substitution behaviour. The SC users who
used ‘more’ cannabis also used more methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Conclusion
Twenty
percent of those who used SC and cannabis reported reducing or stopping their
cannabis use while 5% increased their cannabis use, suggesting a modest overall
reduction in cannabis use. Further research is required to quantify the
magnitude of substitution changes, the impact on drug-related harm, and extent
to which substitution occurs for other LH and other populations.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/XyTZkS
Corresponding author. SHORE
& Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, P.O. Box
6137, Wellesley Street, Auckland, New Zealand, +64 9 366 6136. www.shore.ac.nz.
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