433 research outputs found

    The Correlates of Cyber Warfare: A database for the modern era

    Get PDF
    The author proposes a new theoretical database for tracking cyber attacks on the internet called the Correlates of Cyber Warfare . Inspired by Professor J. David Singer\u27s Correlates of War project, the author provides an overview of the requirements for such a database to be feasibly implemented and the benefits such a database would provide for future research. The author begins by covering the various databases which exist to track and monitor online disturbances, previous research involving collaborative intrusion detection systems, and the lack of data available regarding the sheer volume of cyber attacks traversing the internet. The paper continues to outline what data could be collected by a strategic deployment of IDS\u27s, methods for optimal IDS deployment (with emphasis on transnational router collection), and potential privacy pitfalls that are summarily addressed. The paper ends by describing the many research and online safety benefits that would be seen by the implementation of such a system and methods to work around incomplete implementation

    Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Prescription Opioid Restrictions in the Time of Fentanyl and Other Street Drug Adulterants

    Get PDF
    Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) has increased alarmingly across Canada and resulted in strict prescribing restrictions on opioids. Despite a clear need to reduce opioid prescriptions in response to this crisis, few other policies have been implemented and this singular focus is incongruent with the known characteristics of substance use disorders, negative effects of supply reduction policies, and realities of pain management. Given the recent rise of fentanyl and other dangerous adulterants in street drugs, this commentary argues that a comprehensive response to NMPOU that includes improvements to addiction management and harm-reduction services is urgently needed

    Reclaiming Indigenous Identities: Culture as Strength Against Suicide Among Indigenous Youth in Canada

    Get PDF
    In Canada, Indigenous youth suicide represents one of several health disparities burdening Indigenous populations, and like many other of these disparities, can be understood as an expression of societal, historical, cultural and familial trauma. As the number of Indigenous youth who take their own lives every year in Canada continues to far exceed national averages, it appears that conventional suicide prevention efforts remain ineffective among this population. A growing body of research argues that conventional interventions, largely rooted in Western individual-level behavioural change frameworks, are culturally discordant with Indigenous paradigms. In response, some Indigenous communities are turning to cultural revitalization as a holistic community-driven response to suicide prevention and treatment. The following commentary explores the emerging evidence base for "culture as treatment" - a novel approach to suicide that emphasizes the significance of interconnectedness in healing, alongside the revitalization of traditional values to reclaim community wellness. In doing so, we seek to contribute to a changing discourse surrounding Indigenous youth suicide by acknowledging culture as strength against this national crisis

    Barney Google : Song

    Get PDF
    https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/1074/thumbnail.jp

    Unsafe Sexual Behaviour Associated with Hazardous Alcohol Use Among Street-Involved Youth

    Get PDF
    While risky sexual behaviours related to illicit drug use among street youth have been explored, the impacts of alcohol use have received less attention. This longitudinal study examined hazardous alcohol use among a population of street-involved youth, with particular attention to sexual and drug-related risk behaviours. Data were derived from the At-Risk Youth Study, a prospective cohort of street-involved youth in Vancouver, Canada. The outcome of interest was hazardous alcohol use defined by the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. We used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) analyses to identify factors associated with hazardous alcohol use. Between 2005 and 2014, 1149 drug using youth were recruited and 629 (55%) reported hazardous alcohol use in the previous 6 months during study follow-up. In multivariable GEE analyses, unprotected sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.12-1.46) and homelessness (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.19-1.54) were independently associated with hazardous alcohol use (all p < .001). Older age (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92 0.99), Caucasian ethnicity (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.61-0.90), daily heroin use (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.42 0.67), daily crack cocaine smoking (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.59-0.91), and daily crystal methamphetamine use (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.42-0.64) were negatively associated with hazardous alcohol use (all p < .05). In sub-analysis, consistent dose-response patterns were observed between levels of alcohol use and unprotected sex, homelessness, and daily heroin injection. In sum, hazardous alcohol use was positively associated with unsafe sexual behaviour and negatively associated with high-intensity drug use. Interventions to address hazardous alcohol use should be central to HIV prevention efforts for street-involved youth

    Knowledge and Possession of Take Home Naloxone Kits Among Street-Involved Youth in a Canadian Setting

    Get PDF
    BACKGROUND: The distribution of take-home naloxone (THN) kits has been an important strategy in reducing overdose fatalities among people who use drugs. However, little is known about the use of THN among youth who are street-involved. The present study explores knowledge and possession of THN among street-involved youth in a Canadian setting

    Regular MDMA Use is Associated with Decreased Risk of Drug Injection Among Street-Involved Youth Who Use Illicit Drugs.

    Get PDF
    OBJECTIVES: Childhood trauma is common among street-involved youth and is associated with injection drug use. Illicit 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use is also common among street-involved youth, and data suggest this substance has clinical utility in management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated harms. Despite this, little is known about co-occurring patterns of MDMA use and injection drug use. METHODS: Data were derived from a prospective cohort of street-involved youth using illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Using multivariable generalized estimating equation logistic regression, we examined the association between MDMA use and the use of injection drugs, adjusting for confounders such as polysubstance use and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: 4941 surveys from 1208 participants between September 2005 and May 2015 were included. Of these, 829 (68.6%) were male, 815 (67.5%) reported white ethnicity, and median age was 21.7 years. Overall, 599 (49.6%) participants reported MDMA use, 544 (45.0%) reported injection drug use, and 244 (20.2%) reported concurrent MDMA and injection drug use at least once during the study period. In multivariable analyses, regular MDMA use was significantly negatively associated with injection drug use (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.46-0.69). DISCUSSION: After accounting for socio-demographic factors and polysubstance use, periods of reported regular MDMA use were negatively associated with reported injection drug use among this cohort. These findings suggest that, unlike the use of most other non-injection drugs, illicit MDMA use does not appear to promote injection drug use but rather is associated with a reduced likelihood of injection drug use

    Increasing Availability of Benzodiazepines Among People Who Inject Drugs in a Canadian Setting

    Get PDF
    Background: Benzodiazepine misuse is associated with mortality and is common among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to examine the temporal trends in the availability of benzodiazepines among PWID in a Canadian setting, and to identify factors associated with more immediate access to benzodiazepines. Methods: Data were derived from three prospective cohorts of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between June 2012 and May 2015. The primary outcome was the perceived availability of benzodiazepines, measured in three levels: not available, delayed availability (available in ≥10 min), and immediate availability (available in <10 min). We used multivariable generalized estimating equations to identify factors associated with availability of benzodiazepines. Results: In total, 1641 individuals were included in these analyses. In multivariable analyses, factors associated with immediate benzodiazepine availability included incarceration (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.42, 95% CI1.06, 1.89) and participation in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) (AOR: 1.35, 95% CI 1.14, 1.60). Factors associated with delayed benzodiazepine availability included incarceration (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI 1.02, 2.07) and MMT (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.48, 2.12). Benzodiazepine availability increased throughout the study period for both immediate (AOR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.10, 1.18 per 6-month follow-up period) and delayed availability (AOR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.12, 1.22 per 6-month follow-up period). Conclusions: Among our sample of PWID, benzodiazepine availability is increasing and was associated with health and criminal justice system characteristics. Our findings indicate a need to examine prescribing practices and educate both PWID and healthcare providers about the risks associated with benzodiazepine use

    Increasing Availability of Illicit and Prescription Opioids among People who Inject Drugs in a Canadian Setting, 2010-2014

    Get PDF
    Background: The increase over the past decade in the non-medical use of prescription opioids and illicit opioids in North America has resulted in significant health-related harms.Objective: We sought to examine temporal trends and correlates of the availability of illicit and prescription opioids among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Vancouver, Canada.Methods: Data were derived from three prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver between 2010 and 2014. In semiannual interviews, participants reported the availability of five sets of illicit and prescription opioids: (1) heroin; (2) Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) or Demerol (meperidine); (3) Dilaudid (hydromorphone); (4) Morphine; (5) oxycontin/OxyNEO (controlled-release oxycodone). We defined perceived availability as immediate (e.g., available within 10 minutes) vs. no availability/available after 10 minutes. The trend and correlation of immediate availability were identified by multivariable generalized estimating equations logistic regression.Results: Among 1584 participants, of which 564 (35.6%) were female, the immediate availability of all illicit and prescribed opioids (except for oxycontin/OxyNEO) increased over time, independent of potential confounders. The Adjusted Odds Ratios of immediate availability associated with every calendar year increase were between 1.09 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.12) (morphine and Dilaudid) and 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.09-1.17) (Percocet/Vicodin/Demerol) (all p-values <0.05).Conclusion: The availability of most prescription opioids had continued to increase in recent years among our sample of PWID in Vancouver. Concurrent increases in the availability of heroin were also observed, raising concerns regarding combination of both illicit and prescription opioids use among PWID that could potentially increase the risk of overdose
    • …
    corecore