Resumen

Substance use remains a significant public health issue impacting individuals, families and communities worldwide.\  However, stigma related to substance use and the people who use substances often serves as a barrier to treatment and sustained recovery.\ Although the relationship between stigma and substance use in the United States has been well studied, little is currently known about factors that may be predictive of various\ domains of stigma toward substance misuse in Mexico. 270 adults in Mexico City were field recruited to participate in a community based survey on conceptualizations of mental health and substance use. A randomized experimental vignette methodology was used to assess multiple domains of substance use-related stigma and their relationship to the sociodemographic characteristics of the vignette subject and respondents. Path modeling was used to determine which of sociodemographic characteristics were predictive of three domains of public stigma including 1.) a desire to increase social distance from the person who is misusing substances, 2.) stigma related to how members of the community act toward someone who is misusing substances, 3.) perceptions regarding the future success of those misusing substances\ No differences in expressed stigma were found based on the gender of the vignette subject (person misusing substances). However, some differences were found in terms of factors predicting stigma based on the type of substance that was being misused. For alcohol, education level, gender, self-stigma and openness to seeking mental health services were differentially associated with substance related stigma. For cocaine, familiarity of with mental health and substance use issues, education level and spirituality were predictive of stigma. These results indicated that targeted public health community based stigma reduction efforts are needed to decrease stigma toward those misusing substances in Mexico, and to support treatment initiation, ongoing engagement and long term recovery efforts

Palabras Clave (separar con comas)

Alcohol, cocaine, substance use, Mexico, stigma

Resumen

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is associated with a complex disease bio-psycho-social and spiritual burden. Developing as a global destination, the UAE is home to over 183 nationalities and established its first national SUD response program in 2002. Further to increasing challenges with SUD, the UAE launched its intergovernmental national strategy in 2023, recognizing the role of social workers across different systems, including health and social care, educational and corrective systems. This scoping review aims to generate key learned lessons and suggestions for social work professionals across different settings in the UAE. The JBI's Participants, Concept, Context (PCC) framework was used to generate the scoping question: What can be learned from a review of scientific and grey literature on SUD in the UAE's various ethnic and religious groups? The scoping review examined the scientific and grey literature on SUD published for the UAE between 1971 and January 2023 in English or Arabic. Screening, deduplication and data extraction were done using Endnote and Covidence software. Inter-reliability was examined using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. Sixty-two manuscripts were eligible for data extraction and qualitative analysis. Results are reported according to the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Findings will be contextualised within the socio-ecological model and a strengths-based perspective to provide a framework for Social work intervention.

Palabras Clave (separar con comas)

Alcohol abuse, Substance dependence, United Arab Emirates; ScopingrReview

Resumen

Canada legalized recreational cannabis use to protect youth; however, youth cannabis use rates\\ have increased, and this is a serious public health concern. Youth cannabis use is linked with adverse effects including psychosis, anxiety, depression, suicidality, hyperemesis, and intoxications. Criticisms have emerged regarding the limited public education efforts post-legalization (e.g., 48% of Canadians have never seen a public health message on cannabis). Knowledge plays a role in influencing cannabis consumption rates, with higher usage when a substance is perceived as less harmful. Parents serve as vital sources of support for youth but often feel disempowered in addressing cannabis use. Service providers play a crucial role in addressing cannabis use, but there are gaps in their knowledge, skills, and comfort levels. The aim of this study was to explore how youth, parents, and service providers perceive youth cannabis use in Canada since legalization.This qualitative study employed a community-based participatory research approach and collaborated with a community partner, Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR). We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed data using thematic analysis. The sample included 88 participants (n=31 youth, n=26 parents, and n=31 service providers).\\ We identified the following themes: (1) concerns about risks and harms, (2) minimization of risks and harms, (3) reduced stigma, except for youth in equity-deserving groups, (4) youth are using cannabis to cope with mental health concerns, (5) inadequate public education, (6) social workers need more training and education, (7) there is inequitable access to services, (8) most service providers do not screen or assess cannabis use, (9) parents are excluded from treatment, and (10) youth-centred harm reduction approaches are needed.Canada has one of the world's highest rates of cannabis use, and legalization occurred without adequate public education, training for service providers, and equitable access to treatment. Implications for social workers will be discussed.

Palabras Clave (separar con comas)

Cannabis use, youth, parents, social workers, social work education and practice