[Representations of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and confinement in a liberal psychiatric patient base in Paris]. / Les représentations de la pandémie SARS-CoV-2 et du confinement dans une patientèle de psychiatrie libérale à Paris.

A brief description of attitudes and representations of SARS-Cov-2 pandemic among patients in a psychiatric Parisian office. Collected data suggest that the confinement's measure has been accepted. However the end of confinement has been a time of increased anxiety for many. The representations of Covid-19 and the one of the other's body tended to be assimilated. Some perplexity over preventive measures has been observed.

Novel ruthenium(II)2 carboxylates as catalysts for alkene metathesis.

The reactions of [Ru-(=CHR)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1: R = Ph; 1a: R = -CH=CPh2) with silver salts of carboxylic acids afforded new dimeric complexes of the general formula [Ru2(=CHR)2-(R'CO2)2(mu-R'CO2)2(PCy3)2(mu-H2O)] (2: R = Ph, R' = CF3; 3: R = Ph, R' = C2F5; 4: R = -CH=CPh2, R' = CF3; 5: R = Ph, R' = C6F5; 6: R = -CH=CPh2, R' = C6F5; 7: R = -CH=CPh2, R'=CCl3) in good yields. With R' = CF3, C2F5 or CCl3 these complexes are active catalysts for metathesis of acyclic alkenes, including unsaturated fatty acid esters, as well as for ring closing metathesis. The reactivity of these complexes with bases and weak donor solvents has been studied and their half-life times in several media were determined.

[Attitudes and practices of drug users confronted with the risks of contamination by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C viruses]. / Les attitudes et les pratiques des usagers de drogues confrontés aux risques de contamination par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) et les virus des hépatites B et C.

This study has been conducted in Lille, Marseille, Metz, Paris and its suburbs using an ethnographic methodology. A total number of 1,703 subjects using injectable drugs have been interviewed in the streets and in treatments centers. The result of the study are as follows: sharing syringes did progressively decrease since 1988; reusing syringes and sharing of the injection equipment maintained itself during the same time period; a decrease of HIV seroprevalence; a massive HVC contamination; qualitative and quantitative data do suggest the important role played by the multiple use of the same syringes and the sharing of the injection equipment.

[The consumption of "crack" in Paris in 1993. Epidemiological and ethnographic data]. / La consommation du "crack" à Paris en 1993. Données épidémiologiques et ethnographiques.

In France, trends of cocaine use have been increasing regularly since 1980. "Crack" has been noticed for the first time in 1987. "Crack" is a smokable form of cocaine which is easily processed starting from cocaine hydrochloride. In 1993 a very important spread of "crack" use has been observed by our street team. It is very clear that "crack" use has been underestimated in Paris. The medical and social management of addicts could be severely affected by this new phenomenon.

[Methods for AIDS prevention: importance and limitations of use of bleach]. / Les modes de prévention du sida: intérêt et limites de l'utilisation de l'eau de Javel.

The authors are discussing the interest of promoting the use of bleach as a powerful disinfectant among drug users. Following the researches conducted in the United States of America, the use of bleach has been introduced on an experimental basis in Paris. This action-research allowed to meet 1500 drug users who have received bleach and prevention materials. The evaluation of the action was conducted on a sample of 478 subjects. It was found that bleach could be used by addicts for syringe decontamination. The communication strategy implies a direct personal contact and a non judgmental message. Syringes must be carefully cleaned and rinsed at least twice with bleach in order to allow a one minute contact. In the absence of a new syringe the use of bleach provides a reasonable means of risk reduction if detoxification cannot be achieved.

Transmission of HIV among drug addicts in three French cities: implications for prevention.

In 1988, the Institute for Epidemiological Research on Drug Dependence conducted an ethnographic study designed to assess the results of liberalization of the sale of syringes. In that study, drug addicts were found to have gradually altered their customary practices by limiting the sharing of syringes. Two years later, a second study was conducted to further assess the behavioural changes under way. The whole survey covered 359 subjects--165 in Paris, 110 at Marseille and 93 at Metz. Almost all the subjects stated that they knew about the risks of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by needle and during unprotected sexual intercourse. Almost all of them (98 per cent) knew that syringes were freely sold at pharmacies. Most of them (84 per cent) felt that they were generally well informed on the subject of AIDS and the ways in which the virus was transmitted. Prostitutes accounted for 17 per cent of the sample, with more women (32 per cent) than men (13 per cent) included in that category. The overwhelming majority of the subjects bought their syringes at pharmacies, and the trend towards the non-sharing of syringes was confirmed, a change in behaviour that has emerged mainly since 1987. Among the "new generation" of drug addicts, namely those who began to inject after 1987, the changes are reflected in a much lower rate of infection--2 per cent instead of 28 per cent of the total. About a third of the subjects, however, continued to engage in practices involving a certain level of risk. In a global context, including subjects who do not know how to properly clean a syringe, a variety of usually ineffective practices are followed, for example rinsing with water, lemon juice, or scent. The use of bleach remained limited, and few people considered cleaning with it. Liberalization of the sale of syringes seems to be essential to the prevention of AIDS among drug addicts. But this measure is not enough in itself. Apart from the overall problems of looking after the health of drug addicts and ensuring access to medical care, certain specific measures remain highly desirable. Of particular importance is the dissemination of information clearly describing effective methods of sterilizing syringes (including the use of bleach).

A multi-city study of drug misuse in Europe.

This paper presents a report of the results of a comparative epidemiological study of indicators of drug misuse in seven European cities. The study was carried out between 1982 and 1986 under the auspices of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe. The members of the expert group summarize the drug situation in the seven cities and critically examine a range of indicators that are sometimes assumed to reflect trends in the prevalence of drug misuse. They conclude that a valuable assessment of drug misuse problems can be provided by drawing together data from several indicators. It is essential that these agency-based data are complemented by surveys and other studies of drug misuse in the populations concerned. The members of the expert group suggest that a single organizational unit is needed to integrate and analyse data and epidemiological studies and discuss different models of how this can be achieved. Improvement in the consistency and quality of the data is essential if policies are to be based on a sound understanding of trends in drug misuse.

The effects of the liberalization of syringe sales on the behaviour of intravenous drug users in France.

A study to evaluate the effects of the liberalization of syringe sales in France, which was carried out in 1987 and 1988 in Paris and at Créteil, Maisons-Alfort, Metz, Bordeaux and Marseille by a research team of the Institute for Epidemiological Research on Drug Dependence (IREP) in Paris, included two samples of intravenous users of drugs, primarily heroin: a street sample of 157 persons and a sample of 123 persons undergoing treatment for drug addiction at in-patient facilities. The study, based on interviews, showed that the emergence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had brought about a radical change in the environment of intravenous drug users, of whom approximately 40 per cent were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Liberalized syringe sales had an obvious effect on the behaviour of intravenous drug users: approximately half of them did not share syringes and purchased them at pharmacies, while the rest continued sharing syringes in a variety of ways. The authors concluded that the decision to make syringes freely available for sale was not, by itself, sufficient to cope with the syringe-sharing problem and that, in addition, appropriate educational programmes, personalized and geared to each subject's special circumstances, needed to be provided.

Study of deaths related to drug abuse in France and Europe.

A study of deaths related to drug abuse, based on information available in France and Europe, shows that data on such deaths are divergent and difficult to compare between countries because the definition of "death related to drug abuse" may vary from country to country. For this reason, the author attaches little importance to the use of such data as an indirect indicator for assessing the incidence and prevalence of drug abuse. The author carried out an in-depth study of 99 deaths of this type recorded by the police in the Paris area in 1983, which showed that 80 per cent of the cases involved heroin that had been injected intravenously. An analysis of the biographical background of persons who had died as a result of drug abuse revealed that, in addition to severe drug intoxication, the length of drug abuse and psychopathological disorders, a number of so-called "risk situations" were important factors contributing to their deaths. The risk situations included use of heroin for a long period of time, recent discontinuation of heroin use, regular and intensive use of psychotropic substances and alcohol, and injection of drugs in public places where there was no way of testing the drugs beforehand.