Gender and Illicit Drug Use

Correspondence to Dr Joanne Neale, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, Heslington, York Y010 5DD, UK. E-mail: jsn3{at}york.ac.uk Summary There has been no recent large-scale systematic UK investigationof differences between male and female drug users seeking treatment.Equally, there has been no debate within the social work fieldregarding how best to address any gender-specific needs of drug-usingclients. This is despite the fact that social workers frequentlywork with both drug-dependent individuals and members of theirfamilies. This paper examines differences between men and womenbeginning a new episode of drug treatment in Scotland and considerssome of the implications of the findings for social work practice.Data were collected from structured interviews conducted with1,033 individuals (715 males and 318 females) in a range oftreatment settings. Chi-square statistics were computed to investigatesex differences on key categorical variables relating to: (i)patterns of drug use; (ii) education, employment and income;(iii) offending behaviour; (iv) housing circumstances; (v) healthstatus; and (vi) personal relationships. Analyses identifiedmany differences between the men and women interviewed, butalso many common difficulties faced by respondents of both sexes.Additionally, the extensive range of problems and stressfullife circumstances encountered suggested that the lives of individualsseeking drug treatment were extremely heterogeneous. It is concludedthat social workers can employ a range of practical interventionsand theoretical approaches when working with both male and femaledrug-using clients.     

Childhood abuse and neglect in severely dependent female addicts: homogeneity and reliability of a Swedish version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire

This study explores the psychometric characteristics of childhood experiences ('Barndomsupplevelser'), using a Swedish translation of the 53–item version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Fifty–five female addicts, treated in a compulsory–care setting, completed the questionnaire. Homogeneity and reliability were studied using principal component analyses (PCA) and Cronbach's alpha. The test was submitted to content analysis. Nearly all (94.5%) had experienced childhood abuse or neglect. The internal consistency is high. The 4–factor solution corresponded to the subscales of emotional and physical abuse (combined), of sexual abuse and of emotional neglect, while the items in the physical neglect subscale were distributed to several factors. In the 5–factor solution, this subscale was divided into two factors. Content analyses of these factors point to other meanings than physical neglect. The CTQ (Swedish translation) was found to have high consistency and homogeneity in four of the five subscales (emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional neglect), while the subscale on physical neglect may need revision. The new 28–item brief version seems to be an improvement, with regard to these problems.     

Patterns of re-referral to social services: a study of 400 closed cases

The last 10 years have seen considerable government focus on effective initial assessment processes in the UK. This has been given added impetus by research that found that more than 97% of referrals are closed without allocation for long‐term work. Yet there is little research on referrals that are closed and no British study of patterns of re‐referral for such children. The current study looks at 400 consecutive referrals to three local authority Social Services Departments in London that were closed rather than being allocated for long‐term work. It investigates how many children were re‐referred in the 27 months after closure and identifies factors statistically associated with re‐referrals. The study found that a third of closed cases were re‐referred (36.5%), with most re‐referrals happening relatively rapidly. A small proportion of families accounted for most re‐referrals: 8.5% of families had 52% of subsequent referrals. There was very wide variation between local authorities in the number of referrals and re‐referrals received. Other factors associated with increased likelihood of a re‐referral were: previous referrals, neglect, parental capacity issues (particularly drug misuse) and parent/child relationship problems. The implications of the findings for practitioners, policy‐makers and researchers are discussed.     

A family affair? Kinship care and parental substance misuse: some dilemmas explored

Both the Children Act 1989 and the Human Rights Act 1998 support the principle that children should remain within their birth families wherever possible and that this option must be considered when children are unable to live with their parents. Where parental substance misuse is an issue, family placements, whether formally or informally arranged, are increasingly being used and the support of grandparents, in particular, has been identified as a significant protective factor for children. This paper examines some of the issues that can arise with such placements, particularly in view of the part that substance misuse may play within the wider family system, the impact of parental drug and alcohol use on attachment and child development, and the complex dynamics that can ensue. Drawing on themes emerging from parental substance misuse literature and kinship care research, some practice dilemmas will be explored. While acknowledging the complex aetiology of substance misuse and the dangers of pathologizing family systems in which it is found, some hypotheses about potential risks and challenges will be debated. It will be argued that, although such placements can often provide children with a safe haven, they may demand a specific type of support and monitoring, if children’s welfare is to be safeguarded.     

从切糕事件看政务微博的使用误区与危机应对

2012年12月微博上引起公众广泛关注的“切糕事件”，从一个侧面向我们展示了目前我国政务微博在使用过程中的误区，如信息发布不准、缺乏及时性、面对公众质疑缺乏纠偏的能力、存在害怕公众舆论而错误删除等问题。在新媒体时代，政务微博应掌握应对危机的策略，切实做好危机的预防、应对和总结。     

A rapid systematic review on the association between childhood physical and sexual abuse and illicit drug use among males

This paper aims to review studies in relation to the association between childhood physical (CPA) and sexual abuse (CSA) and illicit drug use among the male clinical and general community populations using a systematic approach. Primary studies were identified using online databases which were searched comprehensively using a set of pre‐determined search criteria and terms. Other sources included expert contact and the reference list of a relevant review. Associations between exposure (CPA/CSA) and outcome (illicit drug use) were considered with regards to an array of factors. A total of 5012 references were initially identified out of which 18 studies met the necessary criteria for reviewing. The review demonstrates tentative support for factors such as earlier drug initiation, intravenous drug use and greater frequency of use among some of the samples. It also demonstrates the difficulties involved in drawing conclusions due to the complex and multifaceted nature of drug use and the variability in the quality of the research available in this area. Limitations of the current review are highlighted and recommendations offered for future research with consideration given to practical implications in clinical and forensic settings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

英语词类误用的标记性分析

对学生英语写作与翻译中大量词类误用现象进行系统的语料分析之后发现：不同词类的误用中,以名词和动词的混用频率最高,其次是形容词和名词的混用;在同一词类的误用中,以动词误用频率最高,其次是代词误用,再次是名词误用。在对英语词汇的标记性程度进行进一步分析之后,得出这样的结论：英语词类误用与其标记性程度成正比,即标记性越强其误用频率越高;标记性不明显的词类,其误用的可能性很小甚至没有可能。     

Supporting families living with parental substance misuse: the M‐PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) programme

The Moving Parents and Children Together (M‐PACT) programme is one of the growing number of interventions tailored to meet the multiple and complex needs of children and families affected by parental substance misuse. This paper pulls together the qualitative findings from 13 evaluated M‐PACT programmes in England. Sixty‐four families attended an M‐PACT programme, including 82 children and 75 adults. Qualitative data were collected from 37 children, 36 adults and over 30 group facilitators. Six themes are discussed: engaging with M‐PACT, shared experiences, understanding addiction, changes in communication, healthier and united families, and ending M‐PACT. The majority of families benefitted in a range of ways from the programme: meeting others who were experiencing similar problems, greater understanding about addiction and its impact on children and families improving communication within the family. In many families there was more openness and honesty, stronger relationships and more time as families, and a reduction in arguments and conflict. The key findings are discussed in terms of the potential for interventions of this kind to reduce family‐related harm from parental substance misuse.     

Associations between gambling,substance misuse and recidivism among Canadian offenders: a multifaceted exploration of poor impulse control traits and behaviours

Moderate correlations among gambling, substance use and crime suggest these three behaviours may each be indicators of a single underlying problem trait, such as poor impulse control. We tested whether self-reported traits prospectively predicted future criminal recidivism, when accounting for incarcerated adult offenders' past criminal behaviour, substance use and gambling behaviour. We took a multi-construct approach to measuring components of impulse control, utilizing three questionnaires that assess sensation seeking, poor premeditation, and reward sensitivity. Male participants incarcerated in two federal institutions were invited to complete self-report booklets; participation was self-selected and fully voluntary. Results indicated moderate correlations between measures of trait impulse control, self-reported drug use, and official criminal history (N = 140). Gambling problems prospectively predicted post-release criminal recidivism (n = 83), even when accounting for past criminal behaviour, impulse control traits and substance misuse. Although they represent a small percentage of this sample, results suggest offenders with high gambling problems represent a particularly at-risk group for future crime, who were more than four times likely to reoffend compared to offenders without problem gambling. These results suggest there may be mutual impact of problem behaviours on life outcomes above the contribution of poor impulse control.     

日语学习者授受表现习得与误用研究——以“～てあげる”为中心

日语中的授受表现对日语学习者来说是一大难点,其中尤以动作授受表现中的「～てあげる」最为复杂,稍不注意就会给对方造成失礼的感觉。在实际运用中,日语学习者经常误用进而有意避开。究其原因是因为对授受动词的指向性、说话人的发话立场、授受表现所隐含的恩惠意识、内外有别观念等不能充分理解和正确运用。应该在掌握授受表现语法规则的同时,挖掘语言深处隐含的日本文化及日本民族的心理特征,培养活用基于谈话场景、人际关系的各种待遇表现的意识和能力。