Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R G Smart

Publications and source records attributed to R G Smart.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Drugs and violence among Ontario students.

In this research the links among violence and nonviolent delinquency and the use of alcohol and other drugs were investigated. The data were derived from the 1995 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey, a cross-sectional probability survey of Ontario students in grades seven, nine, 11 and 13 (n = 3,870). Students were classified into four groups: those who reported engaging in no delinquency, those who reported violent delinquency only, those who reported nonviolent delinquency only, and those who reported both violent and nonviolent delinquency. As expected, individuals who reported violent delinquency also reported the most frequent use of cocaine and amphetamine. The association of violent delinquency with alcohol use was not as strong as expected; nonviolent delinquents reported the most frequent use.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Who is using cannabis as a medicine and why: an exploratory study.

This article reports on an exploratory study of medical cannabis users. Interviews were completed with 50 self-identified medical cannabis users recruited through notices in newspapers and on bulletin boards. They reported using cannabis for a variety of conditions including HIV-AIDS-related problems, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, menstrual cramps, migraine, narcotic addiction as well as everyday aches, pains, stresses and sleeping difficulties. A majority also used cannabis for recreational purposes, and many were longer-term cannabis users. However, there were some notable exceptions. Almost all smoked cannabis and many did so two to three times a day. Few admitted negative experiences with cannabis, although some problems evident to the researchers were not clearly admitted. Those who told their doctors about their medical cannabis use found doctors noncommittal or supportive. The results raise questions about the definition of medical cannabis use and about policies that might be developed to accommodate such use. Limitations of the study are noted and further research suggested. Research priorities include population surveys, studies involving larger, more representative samples of medical cannabis users and studies of medical cannabis use among people with HIV-AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Do drinking surveys predict changes in population-based alcohol problem indicators?

We examined per capita alcohol consumption and survey-based measures of alcohol use in Ontario in relation to indicators of alcohol problems for the period 1977-1997. Per capita consumption and percentage of daily drinkers were significantly related to problem indicators, but percentage of drinkers and percentage of heavy drinkers were not. Of the measures we examined, per capita consumption was the strongest indicator of alcohol problems.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous and alcohol controls during the decrease in alcohol problems in Alberta: 1975-1993.

In this study, the trends in alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, alcohol availability and treatment efforts were examined for the province of Alberta, for the period 1975-1993. Most of the trends previously observed in Ontario were also observed in Alberta. We found: (1) stabilization followed by important declines in per capita consumption of alcohol; (2) large decreases in most measures of problems such as cirrhosis mortality and traffic fatalities related to drinking; (3) increases in treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous membership rates; (4) increases in measures of physical availability of alcohol. One problem, impaired driving arrest rate, increased substantially during the years examined.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol use, drug use, and well-being in older adults in Toronto.

This paper reports a study of alcohol- and drug-use by older clients in relation to their health and well-being. The sample of 349 persons was drawn from adults aged 60 and over living in senior citizens apartments in Toronto. Interviews were done in several languages. The results indicated that males and those aged 60 to 65 were less happy and healthy, had fewer social supports, and more alcohol-related problems. Drug-related problems were less numerous but occurred equally for both sexes. These results indicate that new alcohol programs are needed for the elderly, and these should focus on males, especially the younger elderly in transition from work to retirement.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health warning labels for alcoholic beverages in Canada.

This paper reviews the background and rationale for health warning labels for alcoholic beverages. They have been recently approved for the United States. Mexico and Colombia already have such labels. However, Canadian health officials seem reluctant to require them unless the alcohol industry agrees. Arguments against labels (i.e. that they detract from other efforts, are misguided or ineffective) are not convincing. Evidence from research on health warnings on cigarettes and prescription and non-prescription drugs shows that labels can be effective if well designed. Special problems in having bilingual labels may exist but could be overcome. Canada should have health warning labels on alcoholic beverages as soon as possible.

Alcoholic Beverages↗