Random Breath Tests (RBT): a call for national thresholds in RBT to driver ratios

RBTs are a significant component of drink-driving management programs in Australia and have been for almost 30 years. In 1976 Victoria (Vic) launched Australia’s first RBT program. Other jurisdictions introduced RBTs (partially or fully) soon after.\ua0Three key elements comprise an effective RBT program:1.\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Supportive legislation that identifies strong enforcement of the program with strict and definite penalties,2.\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Strong and ongoing public education to raise awareness of the program,3.\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Public perception that alcohol-related breath testing is truly random and ubiquitous; that vehicles are stopped randomly without a preliminary suspicion of alcohol use.This report examines RBT practice in two state

Who suggests drinking less? Demographic and national differences in informal social controls on drinking

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine variation in reports of pressuring others to drink less, as a form of informal social control of drinking, across countries and different types of relationship to the respondent. Method: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 19,945 respondents ages 18-69 years in 14 countries included in the data set of the Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS). Outcome variables were respondents' reports of pressuring others to drink less (yes/no) across a variety of relationships (their partners, other family members, workmates, or friends). Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out on each outcome variable. The fixed-effects components included the Level 1 (individual) covariates of respondent age, gender, drinking status, and education level as well as the Level 2 (country level) covariates of percentage female drinkers and purchasing power parity. The random-effects components included country and current drinking status. Results: Respondents most frequently reported pressuring male friends to drink less (18%), followed by male family members (other than partners, 15%), partners (15%), work colleagues (12%), female friends (9%), female family members (other than partners, 6%), and children (5%). There was marked variation across countries, with pressuring frequently reported in Uganda, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua across most relationship types. Multivariable logistic regression revealed consistent effects of gender, with women more likely than men to report pressuring others to drink less across most relationship types. The patterns in relation to education status and age were less consistent and varied across relationship type. Conclusions: Informal social control of drinking varies dramatically according to whom is most likely to pressure whom to drink less as well as the country in which people live

Global drugs survey 2017: global overview and highlights.

A total of 119,846 people from over 50 countries participated in GDS2017. Of these 115,523 had their data used in the preparation of these reports

COVID-19 Educational Inequities: Shining a Light on Disparities in a Graduate School of Social Work

In the wake of COVID-19, universities and schools of social work face unprecedented challenges and uncertainty in aligning their academic models with public heath protocols and best practices, while prioritizing the safety and well-being of their students. In order to best respond to these challenges and uncertainty, more research is needed to advance a greater understanding of (1) what challenges students face, (2) who is most at risk and impacted by these challenges, and (3) how universities can best support students. Through a survey administered during the spring 2020 semester at a large research university in the Midwest, we explored the attitudes, experiences, and needs of graduate students in social work, public health, and social policy programs. We observed notable disparities by race and ethnicity, international student status, first-generation student status, and gender. Additionally, our survey results suggest that protective factors, such as university and social supports, may inform how students navigate and cope with the challenges related to or exacerbated by the pandemic. In addition to advancing a better understanding of student experiences during COVID-19, our findings build on the previous research that highlights the distinct needs and disparate impacts of vulnerable student populations in higher education. Acknowledgements: An original survey instrument was created at Hebrew University and was modified and shared openly with other interested Universities

Simulations of a Full-Scale Aircraft with Installed Airframe Noise Reduction Technologies

Computational results are presented for a high-fidelity, full-scale, full-span Gulfstream G-III aircraft model equipped with flap and main landing gear (MLG) noise reduction technologies. The simulations, which were conducted in support of a NASA airframe noise flight test campaign of the same technologies, use the lattice Boltzmann solver PowerFLOW to capture time-accurate flow data with sound propagation to the far field accomplished using a Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings (FWH) acoustic analogy approach. The aerodynamic and aeroacoustic behavior of the aircraft were investigated in the approach configuration with combinations of flap and landing gear deployments. The simulated flap concept is an Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flap that replaces the Fowler flap system on the G-III aircraft. The simulated MLG noise reduction concept is comprised of porous fairings and a collection of other smaller fairings fitted around the flow-facing components. Using the Fowler flap results as a reference, comparisons are presented on the noise reduction effectiveness of the ACTE flap system. Investigations were made on the effects of using the porous fairings and ACTE flap as noise reduction concepts in tandem. The ACTE flap was found to reduce the total airframe noise level at all flap deflection angles when compared to the Fowler flap equipped model. As anticipated, a reduction in aerodynamic performance was also found when the ACTE flap system was used. The MLG fairings were shown to further reduce the total airframe noise level of the G-III

What do Australians drink? Analyses by demographics and social characteristics

This report examines demographic correlates and alcohol consumption patterns associated with favourite drink choices. 20,412 respondents to the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey who had consumed alcohol in the past twelve months reported on their main or favourite drink as well as any supplemental drink types they regularly consumed. They also provided a range of information on alcohol consumption and demographics.\ua0Given the concerns about the marketing of alcohol to young people, the rising popularity of drinks such as cider may be an area of research that deserves more attention in the future. The number of types of drinks that young people are consuming suggests that they are perhaps still looking for the type of alcohol they like the most

Perceptions of alcohol health warning labels in a large international cross sectional survey of people who drink alcohol

Aims: This paper aimed to explore perceptions of alcohol health warning labels among a large international sample of people who drink alcohol. Methods: The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is the world’s largest annual cross sectional survey of drug use. Seven health warning labels were presented (relating to heart disease, liver, cancer, calories, violence, taking two days off and the myth of benefits to moderate drinking). People were asked if they were aware of the information, believed it, if it was personally relevant, and if it would change their drinking. This paper included data from 75,969 respondents from 29 countries/regions who reported the use of alcohol in the last 12 months, collected during November-December 2017 (GDS2018). Results: The fact that drinking less can reduce the risk of seven types of cancer was the least well known, and yet was demonstrated to encourage almost 40% of drinkers to consider drinking less. Women and high risk drinkers were more likely to indicate they would reduce their drinking in response to all labels. Personal relevance was identified as a key predictor of individual responses. Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential of a range of health messages displayed on alcoholic beverages to raise awareness of alcohol related harms and potentially support a reduction in drinking. Further research should explore what influences personal relevance of messages as this may be a barrier to effectiveness