The contemporary uses of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms: a qualitative exploratory study carried out in France.

This qualitative research implemented in France between 2004 and 2007 is based on 30 in-depth interviews carried out with individuals who consumed hallucinogenic plants or mushrooms at least six times during the year preceding the interview. The interviews were recorded, retranscribed, and an analysis of their content applied for the textual data. The study focuses on drug users and the meanings they attach to their drug use. These meanings involve three different representations of the drugs: "enchanting plants," "disorientation plants," and "visionary plants."

Characteristics and behaviors of ketamine users in France in 2003.

The increase in recreational use of ketamine in France led to the carrying out of a survey aimed at depicting the sociological profiles of French ketamine users, their addictive behaviors, and the characteristics relevant to the use of the substance. This survey is based upon the analysis of 250 questionnaires, 24 semi-directive interviews, and two focus groups. Data was collected between July 2002 and June 2003 among individuals who had used ketamine at least once since January 1, 2001. The respondents were mostly males with a polydrug addiction, aged about 24, with little post-secondary education and no steady job. Ketamine was generally the last substance experimented with throughout their lifetime, as of the age of 22. The article reviews the frequency of ketamine use observed in the population surveyed, as well as the routes of administration, the quantities used, the circumstances of use, the sought-after effects and those experienced, and the risks perceived by the users themselves. The data collected provides working facts to allow for the development and implementation of policies for preventing the use and abuse of ketamine among vulnerable populations.

[High-dose buprenorphine substitution during incarceration.] / Substitution par buprénorphine haut dosage lors d'une incarcération.

MANAGEMENT OF OPIATE ADDICTS: OBJECTIVE: To describe the social and medical profiles of incarcerated (in detention or after sentencing) opiate addicts, whether or not they had already begun substitution treatment at arrival, and assess the impact of high-dose buprenorphine substitution therapy on the health of prisoners and the course of their incarceration. METHODS: A prospective survey was conducted on opiate addicts on admission to prison and after 2 months of incarceration, from December 2001 to February 2003, in 6 prison centres in the South East of France. RESULTS: During incarceration, no significant difference (other than in medical follow-up) appeared between the prisoners receiving substitution treatment and those who went through withdrawal on arrival. The first group differed from the second in several respects: their occupational history before incarceration was less stable, their history of drug addiction and incarceration was more serious (injection, psychotropic use, number of prior incarcerations, early age at first incarceration). The buprenorphine patients also differed in their more intense use of medical follow-up before incarceration. CONCLUSION: The impact of buprenorphine substitution therapy during incarceration could not be demonstrated, but prisoners receiving this treatment had a substantially different profile than those who were not receiving treatment when they arrived in prison.

Economic and social effects of high-dose buprenorphine substitution therapy. Six-month results.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of high-dose buprenorphine substitution therapy in opiate-dependent patients in terms of use of psychoactive substances, associated risks, social integration, and the social cost generated by the use of these substances. This was a longitudinal quantitative survey carried out in 1083 patients who were evaluated at three times: at the beginning of substitution therapy (D0), at 6 months and then at 12 months follow up (M6, M12). Data were collected with an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, completed in the presence of an investigating physician. Results demonstrated that patients treated with high-dose buprenorphine for 6 months, consumed fewer psychoactive drugs (heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines) and had fewer associated risks. Additionally, several criteria involved in social integration showed improvement; morbidity and mortality decreased after the first 6 months of substitution therapy. These improvements were followed by a reduction in the social cost of drug use generated by the group of patients considered. These initial results require confirmation in the final analysis of the study taking into account the 12-month follow up.