Three Decades of Epidemic Black Gun Homicide Victimization in Toronto: Analyzing Causes and Consequences of a Criminological Approach

This dissertation analyzes Black gun violence and homicide victimization in Toronto from a health equity and critical race perspective rather than prevailing criminological theories. Young Black men in Toronto are estimated to be five times more likely to become victims of homicidal violence (Gartner & Thompson, 2004). Utilizing a publication-based dissertation format, the first manuscript (Chapter 2) highlights a declining public safety of young Black men over three decades and questions why this phenomenon is not regarded as a public health crisis. It identifies some key public health considerationsrelated to violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment. The theoretical framework (Chapter 3) contextualizes core assumptions of criminological theories with striking inequities across key social determinants of health, significant intersectionalities, and persistent patterns of systemic racism. The second manuscript (Chapter 4) applies a Critical Race Theoretical (CRT) framework to the available literature. CRT highlights the ongoing relevance of systemic racism to the current framing of Black gun-violence by the media, education, and criminal justice system. The third manuscript (Chapter 5) explores potential pathways from experiencing structural violence to the increased risk of homicide victimization. The implementation of the politically motivated War on Drugs compounds risks and vulnerabilities associated with the key determinants of socioeconomic status -- especially because of over-policing and excessive incarceration. The fourth manuscript (Chapter 6) argues that the War on Drugs (WOD) approach has strengthened systemic anti-Black racism across key sectors of society. The fifth manuscript (Chapter 7) analyzes an 11-year period (2004-2014) and finds Black homicide rates to be highest in neighbourhoods with intersecting socioeconomic disadvantage and a high proportion of Black residents. However, neighbourhoods of less socioeconomic disadvantage with smaller proportions of Black residents also have some of the highest Black homicide rates -- probably due to racial stigmatization. The sixth and final manuscript (Chapter 8) describes dominant public stigmatizations, as well as health promotion potential in Afrocentric resiliency building. The chapter elucidates how public racial stigmatization drives and sustains Black homicide victimization (BHV) through self-stigmatization. Afrocentrism provides an alternative narrative with which to counter dominant deficit narratives and engender agency in individuals and communities

Comorbidade entre abuso/dependência de drogas e o sofrimento psíquico, Brasília - Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a prevalência de sofrimento psíquico entre pacientes atendidos em centros públicos especializados em álcool e drogas, no Distrito Federal, Brasília, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo de prevalência nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial - álcool e drogas. Foi realizado autopreenchimento de um questionário, ou entrevista em pacientes analfabetos. Foi utilizada a escala K-10 de sofrimento psíquico. Os resultados mostram que participaram 165 pessoas, sendo 90% homens (média de idade 42,9; mediana 43). Foi relatado diagnóstico prévio de depressão em 40,8% e de ansiedade em 37,9%. Houve diagnóstico atual de depressão e ansiedade em 42,9% e 48,8% dos pacientes, respectivamente. K-10 revelou que 31% tinham níveis severos e 39,0% muito severos de sofrimento. Conclui-se que os níveis encontrados de sofrimento psíquico (severo e muito severo ~70%), cuja escala é mais sensível para ansiedade e depressão, são maiores que os reportados em estudos internacionais.We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of psychological distress among patients under treatment at specialized health care centers for alcohol and drugs, at the Federal District, Brasília, Brazil. Was conducted a cross-sectional study at the three Centers for Psycho-social Health Care - alcohol and drugs, using a self-administered questionnaire or interviews when patients were illiterate. We used the K-10 Psychological Distress scale. Results shown of the 165 patients who participated, 90% were male (age mean=42.9; median=43). Previous diagnosis of depression was reported by 40.8%; anxiety by 37.9%. Current diagnosis of depression and anxiety were reported by 42.9% and 48.8%, respectively. K-10 scale showed that 31% had severe and ~39% very severe psychological distress. Conclude that levels of psychological distress found in this research (severe and very severe ~70.0%), whose scale is more sensible for anxiety and depression, are higher than those found in the literature.El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de distrés psicológico en pacientes atendidos en centros públicos especializados en alcohol y drogas en Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Es un estudio de prevalencia, en pacientes atendidos en los Centros de Atención Psicosocial - alcohol y drogas. Fue realizado auto-diligenciamiento de un cuestionario, o entrevista en pacientes analfabetos. Fue utilizada la escala K-10 de distrés psicológico. Los resultados muestran que 165 personas participaron, 90% hombres, edad promedio 42.9 (mediana=43). Fue relatado diagnóstico previo de depresión en 40.8% y ansiedad en 37.9%. Hubo diagnóstico actual de depresión y ansiedad en 42.9% y 48.8%, respectivamente. K-10 mostró que 31% tenían niveles severos y ~39% muy severos de distrés. Se concluye que los niveles encontrados de distrés psicológico (severo y muy severo, ~70%), cuya escala es más sensible para ansiedad y depresión, son mayores que los relatados en estudios internacionales

Spirituality, Gender, and druG uSe amonG StudentS From one uniVerSity in BarBadoS

aBStraCt: The research aimed to clarify the relationships between spirituality, gender, and drug use among undergraduate students of one university in Barbados. A quota sample of 250 students was required from the Faculty of Social Sciences as the study was part of a larger multi-centric study involving students from the Faculty of Social Sciences from seven other participating countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Significant negative relationships were found between a student's level of spirituality and their licit and illicit drug use over the past 12 and three months. Males and females also differed significantly in terms of illicit drug use (past 12 and three months). However no gender differences were found as it related to licit drug use. Moreover, females possessed significantly higher levels of spirituality than their male counterparts. Further qualitative research should be conducted among this age group within the Barbadian context to better explain these findings. deSCriptorS: eSpiritualidad, el Sexo y el ConSumo de droGaS entre loS eStudianteS de una uniVerSidad en BarBadoS reSumen: La investigación tuvo como objetivo aclarar la relación entre la espiritualidad , el sexo y el consumo de drogas entre los estudiantes de pregrado de una universidad en Barbados . Una muestra por cuotas de 250 estudiantes fue requerido por la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales como el estudio fue parte de un estudio multicéntrico grande que participen estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de otros siete países participantes de América Latina y el Caribe . Relaciones negativas significativas fueron encontradas entre el nivel de un estudiante de la espiritualidad y de su uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas en los últimos 12 y tres meses . Hombres y mujeres también difieren significativamente en términos de consumo de drogas ilícitas (últimos 12 y tres meses) . Sin embargo no se encontraron diferencias de género en su relación con el uso de drogas lícitas . Por otra parte , las mujeres poseían niveles significativamente más altos de espiritualidad que sus homólogos masculinos . Además la investigación cualitativa debe llevarse a cabo dentro de este grupo de edad en el contexto de Barbados para explicar mejor estos hallazgos . deSCriptoreS: Familia. Espiritualidad. Drogas ilicitas. Estudiantes

Percepción de daños y beneficios del uso de cannabis entre adolescentes de América Latina y Caribe

Objetivo: investigar a percepção de danos e benefícios associados ao uso de maconha entre os adolescentes e como as mudanças regulatórias podem afetar a intenção de usar maconha. Método: estudo multicêntrico de corte transversal. Os participantes foram 2.717 alunos com idades entre 15 e 17 anos de 10 cidades em Belize, Brasil, Chile, Colômbia, República Dominicana, Jamaica, México, São Cristóvão e Nevis e Trinidad e Tobago. Resultados: prevalência de uso de maconha na vida de 30,6% (25,8% no ano passado, 15,8% nos últimos 30 dias). Os participantes relataram que os amigos mais próximos usam maconha (60%); e metade (55%) afirmou que não usariam maconha, mesmo se ela estivesse legalmente disponível. Conclusão: as estatísticas revelaram que percepção elevada de benefícios, percepção de baixo risco e uso de maconha por parte de amigos estavam associados ao uso individual, bem como à intenção de usar a maconha em um contexto hipotético de mudanças regulatórias.Objective: to investigate the perception of harms and benefits associated with cannabis use among adolescents and how regulatory changes might affect their intention to use marijuana. Method: this multi-centric cross-sectional survey study. participants included 2717 students aged 15-17 from 10 cities in Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. Results: an average lifetime prevalence of cannabis use of 30.6% (25.8% past year, 15.8% past 30 days). Most participants reported that their closest friends use cannabis (60%); many (55%) stated that they would not use marijuana, even if it were legally available. Conclusion: statistics revealed that a strong perception of benefits, a low perception of risk, and friends’ use of cannabis were associated with individual use as well as intention to use within a hypothetical context of regulatory change.Objetivo: investigar la percepción de daños y beneficios asociados al uso de marihuana en adolescentes y cómo los cambios regulatorios pueden afectar la intención de uso. Método: estudio multicéntrico, cuantitativo y transversal tipo encuesta. los participantes fueron 2,717 estudiantes entre 15 y 17 años de 10 ciudades de Belice, Brasil. Chile, Colombia, República Dominicana, Jamaica, México, San Cristóbal y Nieves, y Trinidad y Tobago. Resultados: prevalencia de alguna vez en la vida de 30.6% (25.8% ultimo año, 15.8% últimos 30 días). Los adolescentes refieren que amigos cercanos consumen marihuana (60%). Los participantes (55%) declaran que no usarían marihuana, incluso si estuviera disponible legalmente. Conclusión: las estadísticas revelan que la alta percepción de los beneficios, baja percepción de daño y amigos que consumen marihuana, está asociado con el consumo y la intención de uso en el contexto hipotético de cambios regulatorios

ENTERTAINMENT, SPIRITUALITY, FAMILY AND PEER INFLUENCE UNIVERSITARIES IN DRUG USE

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between family socio-cultural factors, entertainment and spirituality with peer influence and drug use among college students in one university in San Salvador, El Salvador. Multi centric study with a crossover design, 250 students from a university in San Salvador, El Salvador participated. Percentage analyzes were performed, tests of association and correlation. It was found that sociocultural factors family and spirituality could be protecting factors since most 80% positively value these two values. Most students do not use illicit drugs, marijuana 2%, cocaine 1% and amphetamines 1.2%, but consuming more licit drugs alcohol 42%, tobacco 21%. DESCRIPTORS: Family. Spirituality. Narcotics. University. ENTRETENIMIENTO, ESPIRITUALIDAD, FAMILIA Y LA INFLUENCIA DE PARES UNIVERSITARIOS EN EL CONSUMO DE DROGAS RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la relación de los factores socio-culturales de familia, entretenimiento y espiritualidad y la influencia de pares y el consumo de drogas entre los estudiantes universitarios. Estudio es multicéntrico, con un diseño transversal, participaron 250 estudiantes de una universidad en San Salvador, El Salvador. Se realizaron análisis porcentuales, pruebas de asociación y correlación. Se encontró que los factores socioculturales de familia y espiritualidad podrían estar protegiendo ya que la mayoría 80% valoran positivamente estos dos valores. La mayoría de estudiantes consumen muy poco drogas ilícitas, marihuana 2%, cocaína 1% y anfetaminas 1.2%; pero consume más las drogas lícitas alcohol 42%, tabaco 21%. DESCRIPTORES: Familia. Espiritualidad. Narcóticos. Universidade. DIVERSAO, ESPIRITUALIDADE, FAMÍLIA E A INFLUÊNCIA DOS PARES NA UNIVERSIDADE PARA O USO DE DROGAS RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a relação entre fatores sócio-culturais da família, entretenimento e espiritualidade com a influência dos pares e uso de drogas entre estudantes universitários. Estudo multi centrico com um desenho de crossover, do qual participaram 250 estudantes de uma universidade privada em El Salvador. Foram realizadas análises percentuais, testes de associação e correlação. Verificou-se que fatores sócioculturais, família e espiritualidade poderiam estar protegendo, já que a maioria (80%) valorizaram positivamente esses dois valores. O uso de drogas ilícitas foi muito baixo: maconha (2%), a cocaína (1%) e as anfetaminas (1,2%); drogas lícitas, como o álcool (42%) e fumo (21%) tiveram maior consumo

Spirituality, Gender, and druG uSe amonG StudentS From one uniVerSity in BarBadoS

aBStraCt: The research aimed to clarify the relationships between spirituality, gender, and drug use among undergraduate students of one university in Barbados. A quota sample of 250 students was required from the Faculty of Social Sciences as the study was part of a larger multi-centric study involving students from the Faculty of Social Sciences from seven other participating countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Significant negative relationships were found between a student's level of spirituality and their licit and illicit drug use over the past 12 and three months. Males and females also differed significantly in terms of illicit drug use (past 12 and three months). However no gender differences were found as it related to licit drug use. Moreover, females possessed significantly higher levels of spirituality than their male counterparts. Further qualitative research should be conducted among this age group within the Barbadian context to better explain these findings. deSCriptorS: eSpiritualidad, el Sexo y el ConSumo de droGaS entre loS eStudianteS de una uniVerSidad en BarBadoS reSumen: La investigación tuvo como objetivo aclarar la relación entre la espiritualidad , el sexo y el consumo de drogas entre los estudiantes de pregrado de una universidad en Barbados . Una muestra por cuotas de 250 estudiantes fue requerido por la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales como el estudio fue parte de un estudio multicéntrico grande que participen estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de otros siete países participantes de América Latina y el Caribe . Relaciones negativas significativas fueron encontradas entre el nivel de un estudiante de la espiritualidad y de su uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas en los últimos 12 y tres meses . Hombres y mujeres también difieren significativamente en términos de consumo de drogas ilícitas (últimos 12 y tres meses) . Sin embargo no se encontraron diferencias de género en su relación con el uso de drogas lícitas . Por otra parte , las mujeres poseían niveles significativamente más altos de espiritualidad que sus homólogos masculinos . Además la investigación cualitativa debe llevarse a cabo dentro de este grupo de edad en el contexto de Barbados para explicar mejor estos hallazgos . deSCriptoreS: Familia. Espiritualidad. Drogas ilicitas. Estudiantes