TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - "So prohibition can work?" Changes in use of novel psychoactive substances among adolescents attending a drug and alcohol treatment service following a legislative ban
JO  - International journal on drug policy
A1  - Smyth, Bobby P.
A1  - James, Philip
A1  - Cullen, Walter
A1  - Darker, Catherine
SP  - 887
EP  - 889
VL  - 26
IS  - 9
N2  - BACKGROUND: Legislative changes targeting novel psychoactive substance (NPS) use were introduced in Ireland over the summer of 2010 and resulted in closure of 90% of headshops. We sought to examine use of NPS among adolescents attending addiction treatment both before and after this legislation. <br><br>METHODS: We included all adolescents entering assessment at one outpatient service comparing the 6 months immediately prior to the legislation in May 2010 to the same 6-month period the following year. Clinicians identified problematic use of between one and four substances for each patient. Secondly, information was recorded on recent (past 3 months) use of NPS. <br><br>RESULTS: There were 94 treatment episodes included, with mean age of 16.8 years. Problematic use of any NPS fell from 14 patients (34%) in the pre-legislation period to zero (p<0.001). There was also a significant decline in recent use of any NPS (82% vs 28%, p<0.001). Recent use of cocaine and amphetamines also declined, but problematic use of these drugs was unchanged. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Use of NPS among adolescents attending drug and alcohol treatment was substantially reduced 6-12 months after the introduction of legislation prohibiting sale of NPS and resultant closure of most headshops.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0955-3959
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.05.021
ID  - ref1
ER  -