Drug Epidemiology Headquarters of the Hygienic Station of the Capital Prague has created a complex drug information system in the Czech Republic. This department collects and analyzes data concerning problem drug users, non-fatal emergencies, and occurence of infectious diseases, and all these surveys are provided on a routine basis. Data are gathered from the national network of treatment and contact centers for drug users, through repeated representative epidemiological surveys, obligatory reports on infectious diseases (hepatitis A, B and C, HIV/AIDS), and a sentinel system of data collection is used for non-fatal emergencies. In 1994, 1997, and 2000, a repeated study concerning trends of substance abuse by teenagers (aged 14 to 19 years of age) from all types of schools and from all regions of the Czech Republic was carried out by this department in order to study changes in substance abuse and teenagers' opinions related to drugs. In 1994 there were 8334 respondents in the study, in 1997 there were 14,282 respondents, and in 2000 there were 13,018 respondents, which is about 1.5% of the population group of teenagers from 14-19 years old in each year of the study. Recommendations of EMCDDA (European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction in Lisbon, Portugal), a body of European Council, are followed by Drug Epidemiology Headquarters.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek epidemiologie   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

In October of 1995, a prevalence study of serious substance abusers was carried out in the Czech Republic. The prevalence study focused on: 1. persons hospitalized because of drug addiction as of 31.10.1995; 2. persons who visited one of the treatment/contact centres during October of 1995. Data on serious addictive substance abusers were collected from 142 treatment/contact centres. The overall prevalence in the 15-39-year age group is 30.3/100,000 inhabitants, the highest in Prague (115.0/100,000 inhabitants), followed by Northern Bohemia (34.1) and Northern Moravia (32.0). The most frequently used primary drug remains pervitin (349 users, i.e. 35.5%), followed by heroin in the second place (126, i.e. 12.9%), marihuana in the third place (94, i.e. 9.4%) and toluene in the fourth place (81, 8.1%). The 15-19-year age group is the most affected, and corresponds to 36.9% of all users. In this age category, women predominate (47.2% of all users). Heroin is equally used in the 15-19-year and 20-24-year age groups, while pervitin is used most in the 15-19-year age group, as are marihuana and toluene; the frequency of gambling increases more or less with age. Heroin is used most in Northern Bohemia (48.4%) and Prague (24.6%), and pervitin in Prague (34.7%) and Northern Moravia (18.9%). Data on injection administration of drugs, which is dangerous because of the possibility of transmission of hepatitis and HIV, confirm that almost two thirds of all users prefer this means of application. The great majority of all serious abusers are persons with only elementary schooling.

• MeSH
• ambulantní zařízení MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• epidemiologické metody MeSH
• heroin * MeSH
• hospitalizace MeSH
• intravenózní abúzus drog epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• narkotika * MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek epidemiologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• věkové rozložení MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• heroin * MeSH
• narkotika * MeSH

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH
• komentáře MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH

UNLABELLED: Studies and meta-analyses investigating the influence of substance use disorder (SUD) (substance abuse or dependence) on psychopathology and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia patients have revealed controversial results. Most studies did only have small samples and did not focus exclusively on first-episode schizophrenia patients. METHOD: In a post-hoc analysis of the European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial (EUFEST) psychopathology and cognitive performances of patients with (FE-SUD, N=119, consisting of N=88 patients with persisting SUD at baseline and N=31 patients with previous SUD) and without SUD (FE-non-SUD, N=204) were compared at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Neurocognitive assessment included the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT); Trail Making Tests A and B (TMT), Purdue Pegboard and Digit-Symbol Coding. RESULTS: In total 31.1% of patients reported SUD, and 22.2% of patients used cannabis. There were no significant differences between patients with and without SUD concerning PANSS scores, extrapyramidal motor symptoms or neurocognitive measures except better performance in psychomotor speed (TMT-A, p=0.033, Cohen's d=0.26) in patients with SUD at 6 months follow-up. Interestingly, SUD patients with ongoing substance use at follow-up showed elevated positive symptoms (PANSS positive score, p=0.008, Cohen's d=0.84) compared to those who abstained. PANSS scores at baseline were increased in patients with an onset of SUD before the age of 16 years. In addition we found a correlation between longer duration of cannabis use and higher cognitive performance as well as reduced symptom improvement and more extrapyramidal motor symptoms in patients with higher frequency of cannabis consumption. CONCLUSIONS: FE-SUD and FE-non-SUD show similar psychopathology and neuropsychological performances at baseline and during the first 6 months of antipsychotic treatment.

• MeSH
• analýza rozptylu MeSH
• antipsychotika terapeutické užití   MeSH
• asociální osobnost etiologie   MeSH
• chlorpromazin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kognitivní poruchy etiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• neuropsychologické testy MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * komplikace   epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• schizofrenie (psychologie) * MeSH
• schizofrenie komplikace   farmakoterapie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• verbální učení MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antipsychotika MeSH
• chlorpromazin MeSH

CONTEXT: Acute toxicity caused by illicit substance use is a common reason for emergency department (ED) presentation. Knowledge of the substances involved is helpful for predicting and managing potential toxicity, but limited information is available about the accuracy of patient-reported substance exposure. This study assessed the accuracy of the history of exposure in those reporting use of a single substance by comparison with those identified by detailed toxicological analysis, focusing on synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA). METHODS: Adults (≥16 years) presenting between March 2015 and July 2021 to participating UK hospitals with toxicity after reporting use of a single illicit substance were included. Exposure details were documented from medical records and blood and/or urine samples analysed using high-resolution accurate mass liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRAM LCMS). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the exposure history were calculated by comparison with biological sample analysis ("gold standard"). RESULTS: Single substance exposure was reported for 474 (median age 33 years, IQR: 18 range 16-75, 80% males) patients. Analysis commonly identified multiple substances (Median 3, IQR 2-5). A history of exposure was documented for 121 of 151 patients where a SCRA or metabolite was detected on analysis (sensitivity 80.1%, 95% CI 72.9, 86.2%). Corresponding proportions were lower for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 44/70, 62.9%., 95% CI 50.5%, 74.1%), heroin 41/108 (38.0% 95% CI 28.8-47.8%) and cocaine (22/56, 31.3%, 95% CI 20.9, 43.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple undeclared substances were detected analytically in most patients reporting single substance use. Clinicians should be alert to the potential presence and toxicity of unreported substances when managing patients presenting after substance misuse.

• Klíčová slova
• Substance use, accuracy, self-reported,
• MeSH
• agonisté kanabinoidních receptorů MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• odhalování abúzu drog metody   MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• urgentní služby nemocnice MeSH
• zakázané drogy * toxicita   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• agonisté kanabinoidních receptorů MeSH
• zakázané drogy * MeSH

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 reached Europe in early 2020 and disrupted the private and public life of its citizens, with potential implications for substance use. The objective of this study was to describe possible changes in substance use in the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Europe. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional online survey of 36,538 adult substance users from 21 European countries conducted between April 24 and July 22 of 2020. Self-perceived changes in substance use were measured by asking respondents whether their use had decreased (slightly or substantially), increased (slightly or substantially), or not changed during the past month. The survey covered alcohol (frequency, quantity, and heavy episodic drinking occasions), tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit drug use. Sample weighted data were descriptively analysed and compared across substances. RESULTS: Across all countries, use of all substances remained unchanged for around half of the respondents, while the remainder reported either a decrease or increase in their substance use. For alcohol use, overall, a larger proportion of respondents indicated a decrease than those reporting an increase. In contrast, more respondents reported increases in their tobacco and cannabis use during the previous month compared to those reporting decreased use. No distinct direction of change was reported for other substance use. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest changes in use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis during the initial months of the pandemic in several European countries. This study offers initial insights into changes in substance use. Other data sources, such as sales statistics, should be used to corroborate these preliminary findings.

• Klíčová slova
• Alcohol, COVID-19, Cannabis, Europe, Substance use, Survey, Tobacco,
• MeSH
• abúzus marihuany epidemiologie   MeSH
• alkoholismus epidemiologie   MeSH
• COVID-19 epidemiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek epidemiologie   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• socioekonomické faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

It is considered, according to statements from different sources, that data on the number of deaths in the population of a certain country or region are accurate and correct, but determining causes of death is, for different reasons, often incorrect. There is, therefore,a justified doubt that there are more inaccurately registered drug abuse-related deaths in state registries. Hence, this paper tends to show the most frequent difficulties encountered when recording mortality resulting from drug abuse.

• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek mortalita   MeSH
• příčina smrti MeSH
• registrace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH

Autoerotic asphyxia is a form of deviant sexual behavior that seeks sexual gratification by means of manipulation with one's own body resulting in asphyxia, and may sometimes turn out to be fatal. Autoerotic fatalities involving autoerotic asphyxia are divided into two groups: "typical" autoerotic fatalities involve mechanical compression of the neck, chest or abdomen, whereas "atypical" autoeroticism involves sexual self-stimulation by other means. Cases where asphyxiophilic behavior is accompanied by volatile substance abuse are reported to be rather rare, but may involve a high risk of fatal results. This paper presents a case of accidental "atypical" autoeroticism involving victim's abuse of toluene, which, combined with asphyxiophilic airway occlusion, led to death. For the sake of comprehensiveness, both a verbal description and a schematic representation of the major metabolic pathways of acute and chronic abuse metabolic markers is provided.

• Klíčová slova
• Autoerotic asphyxia, Autoerotic death, Death scene investigation, Intoxication, Toluene, Volatile substances,
• MeSH
• asfyxie etiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• parafilie * komplikace   MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * komplikace   MeSH
• sexuální chování MeSH
• toluen MeSH
• úrazy a nehody MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Názvy látek
• toluen MeSH

Over more than 20 years hair analysis for drugs has been gaining increasing attention and recognition in various toxicological fields as preemployment and employment screening, forensic sciences, doping control of banned substances, clinical diagnostics in health problems. Hair analysis for drugs can expand the toxicological examination of conventional materials and thus contribute with additional important information to the complex evaluation of a certain case. Hair is a unique material for the retrospective investigation of chronic drug consumption, intentional or unintentional chronic poisoning in criminal cases, gestational drug exposure or environmental exposure to pollutants and adulterants and with specific ultrasensitive procedures allow to demonstrate even a previous single dose administration in a very low amount. Assuming the ideal hair steady and uniform growth, segmental hair analysis can provide the information about the time course of the substance use or exposure. However, the physiological background of hair growth, mechanisms of drug incorporation are not simple, not yet understood in full details and need not be evaluated exactly in all cases. The hair sampling, storage, sample preparation, analytical performance themselves are also very important for final results. Different laboratory attitudes can produce different results. The full information on circumstances of the case examined must be taken into account during interpretation. The pitfalls in hair analysis should be known and avoided to assure the responsible and correct interpretation of laboratory results adequate to an individual case.

• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• odhalování abúzu drog metody   MeSH
• otrava diagnóza   MeSH
• soudní toxikologie MeSH
• vlasy, chlupy chemie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Licit and illicit substance use is one of the major public health issues with severe negative health consequences for individuals and society. Health literacy is essential for improving one's health and navigation in the healthcare system. However, the evidence of health literacy in people with substance use disorders is limited. This study aims to examine health literacy and its socio-demographic, health-related, and substance use-related correlates in young people with alcohol (AUD) and substance use disorders (SUD). In this study, cross-sectional data of young people undergoing addiction treatment for AUD (N = 201, mean age 37.6) and SUD (N = 165, mean age 31.1) were used. Health literacy was assessed using the HLS-EU-Q47. Simple and multiple linear regression was performed to estimate the correlates of health literacy. In total, 37.8% of participants with AUD and 41.8% of SUD had limited health literacy. In participants with AUD, living condition factors, self-perceived health indicators, and frequency of alcohol use showed a significant effect on health literacy. In participants with SUD, financial factors, self-perceived health indicators, and injection sharing showed a significant effect. Increasing health literacy might contribute to improved health outcomes and decreased high-risk substance use-related behavior in people undergoing addiction treatment.

• Klíčová slova
• HLS-EU-Q, alcohol use disorder, health literacy, multiple regression, residential addiction treatment, substance use disorders,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• pití alkoholu MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * epidemiologie   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• zdravotní gramotnost * MeSH
• zdravotní stav MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH