Browsing by Author "Benschop, Annemieke"
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- Comparing NPS users in nightlife settings and online communitiesPublication . Henriques, Susana; Silva, Joana Paula; Van Hout, Marie Claire; Hearne, Evelyn; Benschop, Annemieke; Korf, Dirk; Bujalski, Michal; Wieczorek, Łukasz; Werse, Bernd; Felvinczi, Katalin; Dąbrowska, Katarzyna; Kaló, Zsuzsa; Kamphausen, Gerrit; Nabben, TonEste artigo relata a comparação entre dois grupos de usuários de Novas Substâncias Psicoativas (NPS): usuários em ambientes noturnos e usuários em comunidades on-line. Foi realizada uma pesquisa quantitativa em seis países da UE (Alemanha, Hungria, Irlanda, Holanda, Polônia e Portugal) com uma amostra de conveniência de usuários adultos (18 anos ou mais) de NPS atuais (12 meses). Os participantes preencheram um questionário on-line ou com caneta e papel. Foram alcançados 2.757 entrevistados nos seis países europeus durante a coleta de dados nos dois grupos de usuários considerados. A comparação foi baseada em características sociodemográficas, padrões de uso e mercado. Os grupos de NSP usados são: misturas de ervas e/ou canabinoides sintéticos; estimulantes de marca e/ou estimulantes/empatogênicos/nootrópicos obtidos puros; psicodélicos; dissociativos; e outras NSP. A Internet e os mercados virtuais assumem grande relevância tanto para a vida noturna quanto para as comunidades on-line. As diferentes políticas de drogas e a localização geográfica diversa entre os países participantes são as principais características que afetam os resultados, ou seja, a presença/ausência de algumas substâncias ou o conceito legal de NSP. A comparação entre usuários em ambientes de vida noturna e usuários on-line destacou tendências substanciais no uso de NPS entre países e grupos de usuários. Novas oportunidades no mercado de drogas foram impulsionadas por desenvolvimentos tecnológicos na Internet.
- Discriminative characteristics of marginalised novel psychoactive users: a transnational studyPublication . Felvinczi, Katalin; Benschop, Annemieke; Urbán, R.; Van Hout, Marie Claire; Dąbrowska, K.; Hearne, E.; Henriques, Susana; Kaló, Z.; Kamphausen, G.; Silva, Joana Paula; Wieczorek, Łukasz; Werse, Bernd; Bujalski, Michal; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Korf, D.New psychoactive substances (NPS) continue to be considered as a major public health concern in many European countries. The study was implemented within the framework of a transnational project of six European countries (Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal). Our aim here is to report on the distinct and differentiating characteristics of marginalised NPS users. Three subgroups of a total of 3023 adult NPS users (socially marginalised, night life, online community) were examined regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, substance use, and external motives towards NPS use. Poland and Hungary reported higher rates of NPS use in comparison to traditional controlled drugs. The external/contextual motives did not play a central role in the background of NPS use, the least important motives were alleged legality and non-detectability of these substances. Marginalised (defined as those accessing low threshold harm reduction services) users’ substance use patterns are different from the other two groups in terms of showing more intense and riskier drug use. The most important variables which contributed to be categorised as a marginalised NPS user were lower level education, being older, having an unfavourable labour market position and using drugs intravenously. Contextual motives did not play a decisive role in being categorised as a marginalised user when drug use pattern was controlled. These identified discriminative features of marginalised drug users should inform policy makers to develop and implement tailor-made interventions targeting this user group to successfully tackle the elevated public health concerns associated with NPS use.
- Health and social problems associated with recent Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use amongst marginalised, nightlife and online users in six european countriesPublication . Van Hout, Marie Claire; Benschop, Annemieke; Dąbrowska, Katarzyna; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Felvinczi, Katalin; Hearne, Evelyn; Henriques, Susana; Kaló, Zsuzsa; Kamphausen, Gerrit; Korf, Dirk; Silva, Joana Paula; Wieczorek, Łukasz; Werse, Bernd; Bujalski, MichalContinued diversification and use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across Europe remains a public health challenge. The study describes health and social consequences of recent NPS use as reported in a survey of marginalised, nightlife and online NPS users in the Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, Ireland, Germany and Poland (n = 3023). Some respondents were unable to categorise NPS they had used. Use of ‘herbal blends’ and ‘synthetic cannabinoids obtained pure’ was most reported in Germany, Poland and Hungary, and use of ‘branded stimulants’ and ‘stimulants/empathogens/nootropics obtained pure’ was most reported in the Netherlands. Increased heart rate and palpitation, dizziness, anxiety, horror trips and headaches were most commonly reported acute side effects. Marginalised users reported substantially more acute side effects, more mid- and long-term mental and physical problems, and more social problems. Development of country-specific NPS awareness raising initiatives, health and social service needs assessments, and targeted responses are warranted.
- How and where to find NPS users: a comparison of methods in a cross national survey amongst three groups of current users of new psychoactive substances in EuropePublication . Korf, Dirk; Benschop, Annemieke; Werse, Bernd; Kamphausen, Gerrit; Felvinczi, Katalin; Dąbrowska, Katarzyna; Henriques, Susana; Nabben, Tom; Wieczorek, Łukasz; Bujalski, Michal; Kalo, Zsusza; Hearne, Evelyn; Van Hout, Marie ClaireUse of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across Europe remains a public health challenge. The study describes potentials and limitations of methods in a transnational survey of recent marginalised, nightlife and online community NPS users in Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal (n = 3023). In terms of demographic profile, drug use history and type of NPS, different methods reached different segments of the NPS-using population. Last year use of different NPS varied across countries and groups. Respondents used NPS in a variety of settings, with public spaces most common in the marginalised group. The study suggests that prevalence rates can reveal a picture of the NPS market that significantly deviates from what law enforcement seizures indicate. Outreach in nightlife settings and peer education are recommended to inform users about health risks and to improve access to drug services and care.
- Sharing, group-buying, social supply, offline and online dealers: how users in a sample from six european countries procure New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)Publication . Werse, Bernd; Benschop, Annemieke; Kamphausen, Gerrit; Van Hout, Marie Claire; Henriques, Susana; Silva, Joana Paula; Dąbrowska, Katarzyna; Wieczorek, Łukasz; Bujalski, Michal; Felvinczi, Katalin; Korf, DirkGiven the multiple ways of regulations and market situations for new psychoactive substances (NPS), it is of interest how NPS users procure their drugs in different countries as well as in different user groups. Data comes from a face-to-face and online survey conducted in six EU countries, covering three groups of current (12-month) adult NPS users: (1) socially marginalized, (2) users in night life, and (3) users in online communities. While the supply situation differed considerably between countries, friends were the most prevalent source for buying, followed by online shops and private dealers. Marginalized users were more likely to buy from dealers, while online respondents showed the highest rates for buying online. While buying NPS from online or offline shops was relatively prevalent, we also found high rates for social supply and buying from dealers. A considerable part of this market may be classified as “social online supply,” with private suppliers procuring their drugs online. The market features among marginalized users resemble more those of illicit drug markets than those for other NPS users.
- Why do people use new psychoactive substances?: Development of a new measurement tool in six European countriesPublication . Benschop, Annemieke; Urbán, R.; Kapitány-Fövény, M.; Van Hout, Marie Claire; Dąbrowska, K.; Felvinczi, Katalin; Hearne, E.; Henriques, Susana; Kaló, Z.; Kamphausen, G.; Silva, Joana Paula; Wieczorek, Łukasz; Werse, Bernd; Bujalski, Michal; Korf, D.; Demetrovics, ZsoltIntroduction: New psychoactive substances (NPS) pose a public health threat. Many studies have tried to identify the reasons of NPS use; however, none of them have so far used any standardised measures. The aim of this study was (i) to develop and cross-culturally validate the New Psychoactive Substance Use Motives Measure (NPSMM) and (ii) to compare motives of NPS use across countries and user types. Methods: Three subgroups (socially marginalised users, nightlife attendees and members of online communities) of NPS users (N = 3023) were recruited from six EU member countries. Demographics, motives and types of NPS used were assessed. NPS use motives were measured by adapting the extended six-factor version of the Marijuana Motives Measure. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a similar five-factor solution across most of the countries: coping, enhancement, social, conformity and expansion motives. Marginalised users scored higher on coping and conformity motives, nightlife groups showed higher endorsement of social motive, whereas online community users showed higher scores on expansion motives. Various types of NPS were also associated with different motives. Conclusion: NPS use motives might be associated with both the groups of users and the specific types of NPS being consumed. Expansion (psychedelics) and enhancement (stimulants) motives seemed to be linked to the chosen NPS product type, while coping, social and conformity motives were rather associated with user groups. NPSMM was found to be a valid instrument to measure NPS motives.