Cocaine/crack and cannabis use among transgender women in Goiás, Central Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Illicit drug use is a significant public health problem. Studies have shown a high prevalence of cocaine and cannabis use in transgender women (TGW). OBJECTIVE: To describe the consumption patterns of cannabis and cocaine/crack use and variables associated with their use in TGW in Central Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on TGW in Goiás, Brazil. Participants were recruited using a respondent-driven sampling method and were interviewed face-to-face about cannabis and crack-cocaine and the variables associated with them. The Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test was used to assess substance use. Unweighted logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with cannabis and crack cocaine use. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 440 transgender women participated in the study. Their median age was 25 years (interquartile range: 20.5-29.5 years). Most participants were single (85.5%) and had engaged in sex work in their lifetime (58.6%). Cannabis was reported by 68.9% and 53.4% of participants in their lifetime and in the past three months, respectively, and cocaine/crack use was reported by 59.8% and 44.1% of participants in their lifetime and the past three months, respectively. Of the participants, 10.2% reported high-risk cannabis use, and 9.1% reported high-risk cocaine/crack use. Furthermore, 35% of participants reported using both drugs. Previous physical violence (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.37), inconsistent condom uses during anal sex (AOR: 2.17), and moderate-/high-risk cocaine/crack use (AOR: 3.14) were associated with high-risk cannabis use. Previous sexual violence (AOR: 2.84), previous STI (AOR: 2.90), moderate-/high-risk cannabis (AOR: 3.82), and binge drinking (AOR; 3.28) were associated with high-risk cocaine/crack use. CONCLUSION: Our study found a high frequency, significant overlap in the use of cannabis and cocaine/crack use and violence associated with these drugs consumption among TGW, highlighting the urgent need for health policies for drug disorders among this socially marginalized group.

Drug driving: a secondary analysis of factors associated with driving under the influence of cannabis in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVES: To determine cannabis use patterns, the predictive sociodemographic correlates of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) and the association between risk perception and cannabis dependence among vehicle drivers in Jamaica. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis. SETTING: Used the Jamaica National Drug Prevalence Survey 2016 dataset. PARTICIPANTS: 1060 vehicle drivers extracted from the population sample of 4623. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis used Pearson's χ2 test and logistic regression. ORs and 95% CIs were recorded. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: More than 10% of Jamaican drivers admitted to DUIC in the past year. Approximately 43.3% of drivers who currently use cannabis reported DUIC only. Evidently, 86.8% of drivers who DUIC were heavy cannabis users. Approximately 30% of drivers with moderate to high-risk perception of smoking cannabis sometimes or often were dependent on cannabis. Notwithstanding, drivers with no to low-risk perception of smoking cannabis sometimes or often were significantly likelier to be dependent (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Logistic regression highlighted male drivers (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.59 to 14.20, p=0.009) that were 34 years and under (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.71 to 5.29, p<0.001) and were the head of the household (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.75, p=0.031) and operated a machine as part of their job (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.24, p=0.023) were more likely to DUIC, while those who were married (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.74, p=0.004) and had achieved a tertiary-level education (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.76, p=0.031) were less likely. CONCLUSIONS: Two in five Jamaican drivers, who currently smoke cannabis, drive under its influence, with over 85% engaging in heavy use. Public health implications necessitate policy-makers consider mobile roadside drug testing and amending drug-driving laws to meet international standards.

Cannabis use influences disorganized symptoms severity but not transition in a cohort of non-help-seeking individuals at-risk for psychosis from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder. However, in individuals with at-risk mental states for psychosis (ARMS) this association is not clear, as well as the impact of cannabis use on symptom severity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of cannabis use patterns and ARMS risk status, transition to psychotic and psychiatric disorders, and psychopathology. METHOD: A sample of 109 ARMS and 197 control individuals was drawn from the general population. Lifetime, maximum and current amount of cannabis use were assessed with the South Westminster modified questionnaire. Participants were followed-up for a mean of 2.5 years and reassessed for transition to any psychiatric disorder. RESULTS: There were no differences between ARMS and controls regarding lifetime use, current amount of use, or maximum amount of cannabis use. There were also no differences between those who transitioned to a psychiatric disorder and those who did not regarding cannabis use variables. In ARMS individuals, cannabis use was significantly related to disorganization symptoms. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that cannabis plays a role in the psychopathology of ARMS individuals, leading to more severe symptomatology.

Criminal Justice Referrals to Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment among Adolescents and Young Adults following Recreational Cannabis Legalization in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates whether the proportion of referrals to cannabis use disorder (CUD) treatment from the criminal justice system declined among adolescents (aged 12-17 years) and young adults (aged 18-24 years) following state recreational (adult use) cannabis legalization in the United States between 2008 and 2019. METHODS: Cannabis use disorder treatment referral data were extracted from the Treatment Episode Dataset-Admissions and used to calculate trends in the number and proportion of criminal justice referrals. Difference-in-differences analysis was used to estimate the effect of recreational legalization on the state-level proportion of criminal justice referrals as a share of all admissions. RESULTS: Nationwide, the number and proportion of adolescent and young adult criminal justice referrals to CUD treatment declined over the study period. The proportion of young adult criminal justice referrals declined significantly more rapidly after recreational legalization as compared with before ( ß = -0.045; 95% confidence interval, -0.079 to -0.010; P = 0.01). Among adolescents, the trajectory of decline in the proportion of criminal justice referrals did not change significantly following recreational legalization ( ß = -0.033; 95% confidence interval, -0.073 to 0.008; P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: The decline in the proportion of young adult criminal justice referrals to CUD treatment following recreational legalization is likely due to falling cannabis-related arrests. Although cannabis criminalization may result in court-mandated CUD treatment for some young adults without CUD, the decline in CUD treatment admissions during a period of increasing CUD risk factors associated with recreational legalization represents a key health concern. Promoting screening and other CUD treatment referral sources, such as through primary care, may be warranted.

Unravelling the landscape of Cannabis craving pharmacological treatments: a PRISMA-guided review of evidence.

Currently, few treatments are available for craving in general, and none of them have received approval for cannabis craving. The objective of this review is to evaluate existing studies analysing treatments for cannabis craving and explore novel treatment possibilities for these patients. The study followed PRISMA guidelines and conducted an extensive database search. Inclusion criteria included human randomised controlled trials examining drug effects on craving symptoms. Exclusion criteria involved studies unrelated to craving, non-pharmacological treatments, duplicates, and non-English/Spanish/Portuguese articles. Our included 22 studies that investigated a wide range of compounds used for cravings related to other drugs, as well as interventions based on healthcare professionals' empirical knowledge. The current pharmacological treatments largely involve off-label drug use and the utilisation of cannabinoid-based medications, such as combinations of THC and lofexidine, oxytocin, progesterone, and N-acetylcysteine. These emerging treatments show promise and have the potential to revolutionise current clinical practices, but further investigation is needed to establish their efficacy. In this context, it is essential to consider non-pharmacological interventions, such as psychotherapy and behavioural treatments. These approaches play a crucial role in complementing pharmacological interventions and addressing the complex nature of the disorder.

Consumo de sustancias: caracterización de pacientes pertenecientes a la unidad de salud mental adultos- Hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena / Substance use: characterization of patients belonging to the adult mental health unit - Hernán Henríquez Aravena Hospital

Introducción: las sustancias psicoactivas han formado parte de la existencia humana por miles de años, han sido empleadas con distintos fines, consolidando su uso y abuso durante los últimos años como una condición altamente prevalente en la sociedad. Actualmente, existen gran cantidad de sustancias y, así mismo, diversas formas de clasificación. En términos de prevalencia mundial hasta el momento no hay un estándar de oro que permita medir de manera exacta el consumo según cada región geográfica, lo que dificulta el estudio y constituye un desafío al momento de realizar comparaciones entre regiones. No obstante, en términos de prevalencia mundial, la sustancia más consumida es el alcohol, seguida por cannabis, opioides, anfetaminas y cocaína respectivamente. Objetivo: caracterizar pacientes adultos del policlínico de salud mental del Hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena con diagnóstico relacionado al consumo de sustancias y establecer las principales sustancias consumidas. Materiales y Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en la población objetivo mediante revisión de fichas clínicas de pacientes adultos atendidos en policlínico de salud mental del Hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena, durante los años 2018, 2019, 2020. Los antecedentes recolectados del estudio se analizaron según la población general y se compararon según género. Resultados: en la muestra estudiada, 73.2% de los consumidores son de sexo masculino, siendo el alcohol la sustancia de mayor consumo, seguida por cocaína, marihuana y benzodiacepinas.

Introduction: psychoactive substances have been part of the existence of humanity for thousands of years and have been used for different purposes, consolidating its use and abuse in recent years as a highly prevalent condition in our society. They are a large number of substances, and also various forms of classification. In terms of world prevalence, to date, there is no gold standard method that allows the exact measurement of substance consumption to each geographical region, which makes the study difficult and constitutes a challenge when making comparisons between regions. However, in terms of world prevalence, the most consumed substance is alcohol, followed by cannabis, opioids, amphetamines, and cocaine respectively. Objective: characterize adult patients of the mental health polyclinic of the Hernán Henríquez Aravena Hospital with a diagnosis related to substance use and establish the main substances consumed. Material and Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the target population by reviewing the clinical records of adult patients treated at the mental health polyclinic of the Hernán Henríquez Aravena Hospital, during the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. The antecedents collected from the study were analyzed according to the general population and compared according to gender. Results: In the sample studied, 73.2% of the users are male, alcohol being the substance most consumed, followed by cocaine, marijuana, and benzodiazepines

Trends in cannabis or cocaine-related dependence and alcohol/drug treatment in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.

BACKGROUND: In the context of changing cannabis and other drug policy and regulation, concerns may arise regarding drug treatment access and use. We assessed cannabis/cocaine-related dependence and treatment in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. METHODS: Nationally representative cross-sectional household surveys of people ages 15-64 in Argentina (4 surveys, 2006-2017), Chile (7 surveys, 2006-2018), and Uruguay (4 surveys, 2006-2018) were harmonized. We estimated weighted prevalences of cannabis or cocaine-related (cocaine or cocaine paste) dependence, based on meeting 3+ past-year ICD-10 dependence criteria. We estimated weighted prevalences of past-year alcohol/drug treatment use (Argentina, Chile) or use/seeking (Uruguay) among people with past-year cannabis/cocaine-related dependence. We tested model-based prevalence trends over time and described individual-level treatment correlates by country. RESULTS: Cannabis/cocaine dependence prevalence increased in the region starting in 2010-2011, driven by cannabis dependence. Adjusted cannabis dependence prevalence increased from 0.7% in 2010 to 1.5% in 2017 in Argentina (aPD=0.8, 95% CI= 0.3, 1.2), from 0.8% in 2010 to 2.8% in 2018 in Chile (aPD=2.0, 95% CI= 1.4, 2.6), and from 1.4% in 2011 to 2.4% in 2018 in Uruguay (aPD=0.9, 95% CI= 0.2, 1.6). Cocaine-related dependence increased in Uruguay, decreased in Argentina, and remained stable in Chile. Among people with past-year cannabis/cocaine dependence, average alcohol/drug treatment use prevalence was 15.3% in Argentina and 6.0% in Chile, while treatment use/seeking was 14.7% in Uruguay. Alcohol/drug treatment prevalence was lower among people with cannabis dependence than cocaine-related dependence. Treatment correlates included older ages in all countries and male sex in Argentina only. CONCLUSION: Alcohol/drug treatment use among people with cannabis/cocaine-related dependence remained low, signaling an ongoing treatment gap in the context of growing cannabis dependence prevalence in the region. Additional resources may be needed to increase treatment access and uptake. Future studies should assess contributors of low treatment use, including perceived need, stigma, and service availability.

Levels of impulsivity in individuals with cannabis use disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Substance use disorder consists of the presence of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms, indicating continuous use of one or more substances by the individual. The literature points to the existence of a relationship between impulsive behavior, in which individuals tend to act thoughtlessly and with a lower level of planning, and consumption of substances including cannabis. OBJECTIVES: To examine the presence and severity of impulsivity in individuals with cannabis use disorder and investigate associations between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and impulsivity. METHOD: Participants completed a sociodemographic data sheet and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). A total of 122 subjects with a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder participated, with a mean age of 34.46 years (standard deviation = 9.62). RESULTS: The prevalence of high levels of impulsivity in the sample ranged from 30 to 33%; the BIS-11 total score was significantly associated with cohabitation and alcohol use. The BIS-11 scores for motor impulsivity and attentional impulsivity were also associated with consumption of alcohol. No associations were found between impulsivity and the variables age, education, use of tobacco, or use of cocaine/crack. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to understanding of substance dependence, especially cannabis. It found presence of impulsive behavior among individuals with cannabis use disorder, which is corroborated by reports in the literature.

Tell me who your friends are?! The mediating role of friends' use in cannabis abuse.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between age at onset of cannabis use and cannabis abuse in a sample of Portuguese cannabis users, testing the mediating role of the number of friends using cannabis and comparing these relationships between male and female subsets. METHOD: A sample of 529 Portuguese cannabis users comprising 276 males and 244 females aged from 14 to 21 years completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), and answered four questions related to cannabis use. Data were analyzed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS: Age at onset of cannabis use was negatively related to the number of friends using cannabis, while the number of friends using cannabis had a positive relationship with cannabis abuse. As predicted, the number of friends using cannabis seems to have a mediating role in the relationship between cannabis onset age use and cannabis abuse, since the indirect effect was found to be significant. The pattern of the relationships among the variables observed was found to be similar for both male and female subsets of the sample. However, males reported higher cannabis abuse than females. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the mediating role of friends' use of cannabis in the relationship between age at onset of cannabis use and users' abuse. These results highlight the importance of early intervention in cannabis use. In particular, the pattern of the relationships observed among the studied variables emphasizes the need to monitor and conduct peer training interventions or interventions to promote of social skills.

Cannabis Consumption Onset and Addiction: Data from the Second Brazilian Drugs and Alcohol Survey (BNADS).

The objective of this study was to provide rates of cannabis use and dependence and risk factors, proposing a conditional path model for cannabis addiction. A subsample of adult participants from a Brazilian household survey was analyzed to estimate cannabis dependence. Estimation of prevalence rates and association between dependence and age of cannabis use initiation were performed. The conditional model was applied to investigate the mediation of depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption in the association of early cannabis use and dependence. Lifetime and last year cannabis use were 6.47% and 2.81%, respectively. Moderate and severe cannabis dependence were 0.74% and 0.18% in the population, and 26.47% and 6.38% among last year's cannabis users. A Parallel Multiple Mediator Model revealed strong association between cannabis use initiation age and dependence, when depressive symptoms or alcohol consumption mediate this association. The proportion of cannabis users displaying dependence symptoms is elevated and it is associated with the age of cannabis use initiation. The results show the importance of primary prevention interventions, prioritizing the delay of cannabis and alcohol experimentation. Our findings can enrich the debate on drugs policies and legislation, reinforcing the need for stronger restrictions of adolescent drug access and ensuring its enforcement.

Accesibilidad al consumo de marihuana en escolarizados colombianos / Marijuana Accessibility Among Colombian School children / Acessibilidade do uso da maconha entre os estudantes colombianos

Introducción: El consumo de marihuana es una problemática de salud pública y cobra relevancia en la población escolar. Objetivo: Describir la accesibilidad de consumo de marihuana por características sociodemográficas, relaciones familiares y de consumo en escolarizados colombianos 2016. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, secundario del Estudio Nacional de Consumo de Sustancias Psicoactivas en Población Escolar Colombia 2016, con una muestra de 80 018 estudiantes, mediante análisis uni-variado y bivariado. Resultados: A partir del análisis de la muestra de escolares, el promedio de edad de consumo de marihuana es de 15,55 años; el 51,9 % eran mujeres. La mayoría de los escolares estudian en colegios mixtos (96,11 %); un 37,3 % considera que le sería fácil conseguir marihuana; aquellos que manifestaron ser consumidores actuales de mari-huana, los que manifiestan que todos sus amigos son consumidores y aquellos que conviven con un consumidor mostraron ser los que percibían muy fácil acceder a la marihuana (88,0 %, 80,1 % y 71,6 %, respectivamente). Conclusiones: Existe una alta proporción de adolescentes que perciben un acceso muy fácil a la marihuana, y los consumidores o aquellos que se relacionan con consumidores fueron quienes percibían en mayor proporción un fácil acceso a la marihuana. Se sugieren intervenciones que puedan contrarrestar este fenómeno. Palabras clave: estudiantes; factores de riesgo. abuso de marihuana; adolescente.

Introduction: Marijuana use is a public health problem and becomes relevant in the school population. Objective: To describe the accessibility of marijuana use by sociodemographic characteristics, family relationships and consumption in Colombian schoolchildren in 2016. Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, secondary study of the National Study of Psy-choactive Substance Consumption in Colombia School Population ­ 2016, with a sample of 80,018 students, through univariate and bivariate analysis. Results: After analyzing the sample, the average age of marijuana use is 15.55 years; 51.9% were women. Most of the schoolchildren study in mixed schools (96.11%); 37.3% consider that it would be easy for them to obtain marijuana. Those who stated that they were current users of marijuana, those who stated that all their friends were users, and those who lived with a consumer were the ones who perceived it to be very easy to access marijuana (88.0%, 80.1%, and 71.6%, respectively). Conclusions: There is a high proportion of adolescents who perceive a very easy access to marijuana, consumers or those who are related to consumers were the ones who perceived a greater proportion of easy access to marijuana. Interventions that can counteract this phenomenon are suggested

Introdução: O uso de maconha é uma questão de saúde pública e é relevante para a população escolar. Objetivo: Descrever a acessibilidade do uso da maconha por características sociodemográficas, re-lações familiares e consumo nas crianças colombianas em idade escolar em 2016. Materiais e métodos: estudo descritivo, transversal, secundário do Estudo Nacional do Uso de Subs-tâncias Psicoativas na População Escolar Colombiana 2016, com uma amostra de 80 018 alunos, utilizando análise univariada e bivariada. Resultados: Da análise da amostra Da escola, a idade média de uso da maconha foi de 15,55 anos; 51,9% eram mulheres. A maioria das crianças em idade escolar estudam em escolas coeducacionais (96,11%); 37,3% consideram que seria fácil para elas obter maconha; aqueles que relataram ser usuários atuais de maconha, aqueles que relataram que todos os seus amigos são usuários e aqueles que vivem com um usuário foram aqueles que perceberam ser muito fácil o acesso à maconha (88,0%, 80,1% e 71,6%, respectivamente). Conclusões: Há uma elevada proporção de adolescentes que percebem um acesso muito fácil à maconha, e os usuários ou aqueles que se associam aos usuários foram os mais propensos a perceber um acesso fácil à maconha. São sugeridas intervenções que podem contrariar este fenômeno

Regulamentação do consumo de Cannabis no Uruguai e suas influências sobre a fronteira brasileira / Regulation of Cannabis use in Uruguay and its influences on the Brazilian border / Regulación del consumo de Cannabis en Uruguay y su influencia en la frontera brasileña

OBJETIVO: conhecer as influências da regulamentação do consumo da Cannabis no Uruguai sobre o consumo desta substância psicoativa na região de fronteira com o Brasil. MÉTODO: estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo. Participaram 14 pessoas que usam Cannabis, residentes em uma cidade da fronteira Brasil/Uruguai. Dados coletados por entrevista semiestruturada, analisados através da Análise de Conteúdo. RESULTADO: as transformações sociais estão relacionadas com a aceitação social do consumo; visualização de pessoas idosas que utilizam a substância e maior interação entre pessoas que usam Cannabis dos países envolvidos. As transformações no consumo estão relacionadas com a possibilidade de se adquirir Cannabis in natura, disponibilidade de variados tipos e subespécies da planta e o fluxo de brasileiros para realizar o consumo no lado uruguaio da fronteira. CONCLUSÃO: investigar espaços de fusão social, cultural e política, pode servir para reflexão acerca do atual cenário brasileiro, e implementação de ações que busquem salvaguardar os direitos humanos, respeitando a autonomia, e cuidando sobre a perspectiva de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: to know the influences of the regulation of Cannabis use in Uruguay on the consumption of this psychoactive substance in the border region with Brazil. METHOD: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study. The participants were 14 individuals who use Cannabis, living in a city on the Brazil/Uruguay border. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews and analyzed through Content Analysis. RESULT: social transformations are related to the social acceptance of consumption; visualization of older adults who use the substance and greater interaction between individuals who use Cannabis from the countries involved. The changes in consumption are related to the possibility of acquiring Cannabis in natura, to the availability of various types and subspecies of the plant, and to the flow of Brazilians to carry out consumption on the Uruguayan side of the border. CONCLUSION: investigating spaces of social, cultural and political fusion can serve to reflect on the current Brazilian scenario, and to implement actions that seek to safeguard human rights, respecting autonomy, and taking care about the health perspective.

OBJETIVO: conocer la influencia de la regulación del consumo de Cannabis en Uruguay sobre el consumo de esa sustancia psicoactiva en la región fronteriza con Brasil. MÉTODO: estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo. Participaron 14 personas que consumen Cannabis y viven en una ciudad de la frontera entre Brasil y Uruguay. Los datos fueron recopilados por medio de entrevista semiestructurada, analizados mediante Análisis de Contenido. RESULTADO: las transformaciones sociales están relacionadas con la aceptación social del consumo; visualización de personas mayores que consumen la sustancia y mayor interacción entre personas que consumen Cannabis en los países involucrados. Los cambios en el consumo están relacionados con la posibilidad de adquirir Cannabis in natura, la disponibilidad de varios tipos y subespecies de la planta y el flujo de brasileños para realizar el consumo en el lado uruguayo de la frontera. CONCLUSIÓN: investigar espacios de fusión social, cultural y política, puede servir para reflexionar sobre el escenario brasileño actual e implementar acciones que busquen salvaguardar los derechos humanos, respetando la autonomía y cuidando la perspectiva de la salud.

Living frisbees: riesgos de patologías mentales en niños y niñas expuestos a thc durante su gestación / Living frisbees: risks of mental pathologies in boys and girls exposed to thc during their pregnancy

La Cannabis sativa es una planta que contiene componentes psicoactivos (principalmente tetrahidrocannabinol) y actualmente corresponde a la droga ilícita más consumida a nivel mundial. Además, desde el área de la salud mental, ha habido un creciente interés en evaluar la relación entre el consumo de marihuana y el desarrollo de trastornos mentales. En este contexto, considerando tanto este creciente aumento en su consumo a nivel mundial y el interés por conocer si está involucrada en la patogénesis de patologías de la esfera psiquiátrica, es clave analizar qué posibles riesgos de desarrollar patologías mentales presentan aquellos niños expuestos al tetrahidrocannabinol durante la gestación. A partir de esta situación, el objetivo de este FRISBEEs es determinar si los niños/as expuestos a THC durante su gestación tienen un mayor riesgo de patologías mentales, en comparación a aquellos niños no expuestos durante su gestación. Los materiales y métodos utilizados para responder esta pregunta fueron obtenidos a partir de una búsqueda bibliográfica en dos bases de datos, donde se analizó la evidencia disponible, y se seleccionó el estudio primario titulado "Maternal tobacco, cannabis and alcohol use during pregnancy and risk of adolescent psychotic symptoms in offspring", ya que era el que más se aproximaba a poder responder nuestra pregunta clínica. Este se analizó de forma crítica, llegando al resultado de que el estudio no fue concluyente en establecer una asociación entre el uso de cannabis y síntomas psicóticos. Como conclusión, dado que no se pudo llegar a establecer una asociación entre el uso de cannabis y el desarrollo de patologías mentales, se debería realizar más investigación sobre el tema dado la magnitud del consumo de cannabis a nivel mundial, para así poder llegar a conclusiones clínicas basadas en la evidencia y poder dar recomendaciones clínicas a las pacientes embarazadas.

Cannabis sativa is a plant that contains psychoactive components (mainly tetrahydrocannabinol) and currently corresponds to the most widely consumed illicit drug worldwide. In addition, from the area of mental health, there has been a growing interest in evaluating the relationship between marijuana use and the development of mental disorders. In this context, considering both this growing increase in its consumption worldwide and the interest in knowing if it is involved in the pathogenesis of pathologies in the psychiatric sphere, it is essential to analyze what possible risks of developing mental pathologies present those children exposed to tetrahydrocannabinol during gestation. Based on this situation, the objective of this FRISBEEs is to determine whether children exposed to THC during their pregnancy have a greater risk of mental pathologies, compared to those children not exposed during their pregnancy. The materials and methods used to answer this question were obtained from a bibliographic search in two databases, where the available evidence was analyzed, and the primary study entitled "Maternal tobacco, cannabis and alcohol use during pregnancy and risk of adolescent psychotic symptoms in offspring ", as he was the closest to answering our clinical question. This was critically analyzed, reaching the result that the study was not conclusive in establishing an association between the use of cannabis and psychotic symptoms. In conclusion, given that it was not possible to establish an association between the use of cannabis and the development of mental pathologies, more research should be carried out on the subject given the magnitude of cannabis use worldwide, in order to reach conclusions. evidence-based clinics and to be able to give clinical recommendations to pregnant patients

Sleep, psychiatric and socioeconomic factors associated with substance use in a large population sample: A cross-sectional study.

Multiple elements modulate drug use, including sleep, which is increasingly being considered as an important contributor to substance use and abuse. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between sleep, psychiatric and socioeconomic/demographic factors and substance use in a large-scale representative sample from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data from the 2007 São Paulo Epidemiological Sleep Study (EPISONO) database were used. In the EPISONO study, volunteers underwent a polysomnographic exam and completed a series of questionnaires to assess objective and subjective sleep quality and associated comorbidities. Drug use was assessed using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Linear (univariate and multivariate) and logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with the use of the 4 most commonly used substances in the sample (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and cocaine/crack). Structural equation models were used to establish theoretical networks to explain the relationship between sleep, psychiatric and socioeconomic factors and use of these substances. The logistic regression results showed that psychiatric symptoms, lower income, and poorer subjective sleep were the main factors associated with tobacco consumption; gender and occupational status with alcohol intake; age and occupation with cannabis use; and education with cocaine/crack use. The structural equation models partially supported these findings and identified significant effects of psychiatric symptoms on tobacco consumption, both directly and mediated by sleep. Our results reinforce previous findings concerning factors associated with generally misused substances and suggest that sleep should be considered as an important element in future substance use disorder studies.

The Alerting and Orienting Systems of Attention Are Modified by Cannabis Dependence.

Attention allows us to select relevant information from the background. Although several studies have described that cannabis use induces deleterious effects on attention, it remains unclear if cannabis dependence affects the attention network systems differently. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether customary consumption of cannabis or cannabis dependence impacts the alerting, orienting, and executive control systems in young adults; to find out whether it is related to tobacco or alcohol dependence and if cannabis use characteristics are associated with the attention network systems. METHOD: One-hundred and fifty-four healthy adults and 102 cannabis users performed the Attention Network Test (ANT) to evaluate the alerting, orienting, and executive control systems. RESULTS: Cannabis use enhanced the alerting system but decreased the orienting system. Moreover, those effects seem to be associated with cannabis dependence. Out of all the cannabis-using variables, only the age of onset of cannabis use significantly predicted the efficiency of the orienting and executive control systems. CONCLUSION: Cannabis dependence favors tonic alertness but reduces selective attention ability; earlier use of cannabis worsens the efficiency of selective attention and resolution of conflicts.

Padrões de uso de drogas e problemas associados em adolescentes judicializados / Drug use patterns and associated problems amongaAdolescent offenders / Patrones de consumo de drogas y problemas asociados en adolescentes infractores

Objetivou-se caracterizar uma amostra de adolescentes em conflito com a lei em relação ao consumo de substâncias e possíveis problemas associados. Participaram 120 adolescentes do sexo masculino, entre 13 e 18 anos, custodiados na Unidade de Atendimento Inicial da Fundação CASA, que responderam ao Drug Use Screening Inventory - Revised (DUSI-R). Análises descritivas indicaram que a maioria dos adolescentes teria feito uso de maconha (84%) e álcool (54%). Em relação ao padrão de consumo, 52% foram categorizados em uso abusivo ou de provável dependência. Quanto aos problemas associados ao consumo, os participantes possuem densidade média superior aos da população normativa nos dez domínios investigados pelo DUSI-R, com destaque aos Transtornos (M = 42), Escola (M = 50) e Pares (M = 55). Vale observar que 37% da amostra se declararam abstêmios, e que os desvios das densidades de problemas sugerem alta heterogeneidade nos níveis de necessidades/dificuldades, o que implica ultrapassar discursos que propalam a uniformidade dessa população. (AU)

This study aimed to characterize a sample of adolescents in conflict with the law regarding substance use and potential associated problems. The sample consisted of 120 male adolescents aged 13 to 18 in custody at the Initial Care Unit from Fundação CASA (Center for Adolescent Socio-Educational Care) in the state of São Paulo, who responded to the Drug Use Screening Inventory - Revised (DUSI-R). Descriptive analyses indicated that most adolescents were reported to have used marijuana (84%) and alcohol (54%). Regarding the pattern of consumption, 52% were categorized as abusive use or probable dependence. Regarding the problems associated with consumption, participants showed a higher mean density than the normative population in the ten domains investigated by the DUSI-R, with emphasis on Disorders (M = 42), School (M = 50), and Peers (M = 55). It is worth noting that 37% of the sample declared themselves abstainers and that the deviations of the problem densities suggest high heterogeneity in the levels of needs/difficulties, which implies overcoming discourses that promote the uniformity of this population. (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar una muestra de adolescentes en conflicto con la ley por el consumo de sustancias y posibles problemas asociados. Participaron de la muestra 120 adolescentes varones de 13 a 18 años en custodia de la Unidad de Atención Inicial de la Fundación CASA, quienes respondieron al Drug Use Screening Inventory - Revised (DUSI-R). Los análisis descriptivos indicaron que la mayoría de los adolescentes habrían consumido marihuana (84%) y alcohol (54%). Respecto al patrón de consumo, el 52% fue categorizado como uso abusivo o probable dependencia. En cuanto a los problemas asociados con el consumo, los participantes tuvieron una densidad media/superior a la población normativa en los diez dominios investigados por DUSI-R, con énfasis en los Trastornos (M=42), la Escuela (M=50) y Parejas (M=55). Cabe destacar que el 37% de la muestra se declaró abstencionista y que las desviaciones de las densidades del problema sugieren una alta heterogeneidad en los niveles de necesidades/dificultades, lo que implica la superación de discursos que promueven la uniformidad de esta población. (AU)