This article reports on an exploratory study of medical cannabis users. Interviews were completed with 50 self-identified medical cannabis users recruited through notices in newspapers and on bulletin boards. They reported using cannabis for a variety of conditions including HIV-AIDS-related problems, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, menstrual cramps, migraine, narcotic addiction as well as everyday aches, pains, stresses and sleeping difficulties. A majority also used cannabis for recreational purposes, and many were longer-term cannabis users. However, there were some notable exceptions. Almost all smoked cannabis and many did so two to three times a day. Few admitted negative experiences with cannabis, although some problems evident to the researchers were not clearly admitted. Those who told their doctors about their medical cannabis use found doctors noncommittal or supportive. The results raise questions about the definition of medical cannabis use and about policies that might be developed to accommodate such use. Limitations of the study are noted and further research suggested. Research priorities include population surveys, studies involving larger, more representative samples of medical cannabis users and studies of medical cannabis use among people with HIV-AIDS.
Rave dance parties have been growing in popularity during the past decade. This paper describes the rave scene in Metropolitan Toronto, Canada, based on eight participant observations and personal interviews with 75 rave attendees. The data reveal that people defined raves and were attracted to the parties because of the interesting venues, to be with friends, and to enjoy the music. While drugs were also mentioned as one of the appealing aspects of parties, those who attend raves only to use drugs were not felt to be attending for the right reasons. Respondents commented on the numerous changes in the scene over time (e.g. increased commercialization, fewer people attending in order to contribute to the scene) and suggested means for ensuring the safer use of drugs in the future.
A number of authors have found that acculturation and alcohol use are significantly related. In general, as a person becomes more acculturated within a new country, levels of use of alcohol and alcohol-related problems tend to become more similar to the host cultures. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the level of acculturation, attitudes toward alcohol, and the use of alcohol within the Punjabi community of Metropolitan Toronto, while taking a number of demographic variables into account. We found that increased levels of acculturation were associated with increased lifetime use of alcohol and more liberal attitudes toward the use of alcohol. In addition, those who had lower levels of acculturation were experiencing relatively more alcohol use-related problems. Finally, gender was also an important factor in predicting attitudes and behavior associated with alcohol, with women more likely to be abstainers and negative toward the use of alcohol.
OntarioIn this second and most recent community study of cocaine users in Toronto, experience with cocaine and related impacts on health, work, social relationships and criminality were examined in a sample of 100 users. For most respondents, use of cocaine and even crack was best described as an infrequent and self-limiting behaviour. Adverse consequences did occur and were explained by intensity of cocaine involvement rather than personal characteristics of users. Involvement in criminal activity was low and, other than drug selling, very few illegal activities were undertaken in order to obtain cocaine. Informal controls rather than legal threats constrained both drug use and criminal behaviour. The perceptions and experiences of users can help to shape a more rational drug policy which would aim to reduce the actual harm they do to themselves and the community.
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