Drug use and the constitution of homo politicus in Swedish politics 1966-1979.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the drug user as a political problem in Sweden during the 1960s presented politicians with the problem of how to fit this new character into the existing democratic order. The aim of this article is to examine how Swedish politics sought to regulate democratic participation by establishing norms that conditioned who is recognized as a political subject as well as what counts as political speech and action. METHODS: The analysis is based on a close reading of parliamentary debates, political motions, and public reports and covers the period 1966-1979. RESULTS: During the examined period, Swedish politics constituted the ideal subject of democratic politics, homo politicus, as a subject embedded in a community of active and politically conscious citizens endowed with the capacity to cooperate and engage in the collective formulation of the common good. Drug use therefore posed a threat to the democratic order due to its passivizing effects that inhibited the cooperation needed to uphold the democratic polity. CONCLUSION: The perceived individualism, passivity, and inability of the drug user to engage in cooperation within a politically conscious community of citizens positioned the drug user as a threat to the democratic order. The drug user thereby became a useful figure in the political regulation of the democratic sphere and the constitution of homo politicus, the ideal subject of democratic politics.

Soul, body and mental health - applying Rabbi Moshe de Maimon's philosophy to the contemporary phenomenon of drug addiction.

In modern psychiatry, drug addiction is considered as mainly a mental disorder and a brain disease problem, of complex aetiology. In addition, drug addiction has been characterized as a loss of willpower or akrasia, and even a sin. In this essay, I analyse Maimonides' (Rambam's) treatises More Ha-Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed) and Shemona Perakim (The Eight Chapters). He asserts that the soul is one, but has many different faculties (functions) and is intrinsically linked to the body. I argue that drug addiction is a psychological, social-moral deviance, as well as straying from God's path. Addiction is a disorder of the soul and body. Consequently, healing should include social-moral guidelines as well as physical/bodily health.

Imaginarios sociales de las adicciones en las series: representaciones de la hipermodernidad / Social imaginaries of addictions in series: representations of hypermodernity

En este artículo se introduce brevemente una historización del consumo de drogas, desde los rituales de la Antigüedad hasta llegar a la hipermodernidad como una época caracterizada por el hiper-individualismo y la caída de los ideales, donde el consumo de drogas aparece relacionado con una experiencia individual y alienada. Frente al aumento exponencial del consumo de drogas en las últimas décadas, nos preguntamos por sus características y cuáles son los imaginarios sociales sobre esta problemática, es decir, cómo la sociedad entiende este consumo. Una de las formas privilegiadas de acceder a estos imaginarios sociales es a través de productos culturales como la literatura, el cine o las series. Teniendo en cuenta que las series reemplazan paulatinamente a la televisión como formas de consumo privilegiadas por miles de espectadores diarios a través de plataformas en línea, nos interesa estudiar la representación del consumo de drogas que se hace en las series actuales. El panorama de análisis incluye la representación de las drogas “duras” en la caracterización de personajes antiheroicos y en personajes jóvenes de narrativas del género coming-of-age, así como también en series icónicas que mostraron el mundo de las drogas como The Wire. Se incluyetambién el análisis del consumo problemático de alcohol en personajes docentes universitarios y la adicción a fármacos como los opioides. Este complejo caleidoscopio nos permite entender las coordenadas de consumo actuales, que no siempre implican una adicción, pero que en todos los casos implican grados variables de padecimiento. (AU)

This article briefly introduces a historicization of drug use, from the rituals of Antiquity to hypermodernity, a time characterized by hyper-individualism and the fall of ideals, where drug use appears related to an individual experience and alienation. Faced with the exponential increase in drug use in recent decades, we wonder about the characteristics of substance consumption and what are the social imaginaries about this problem, that is, how society understands this use. One of the privileged ways to access these social imaginaries is through cultural products such as literature, cinema or series. Considering that series are gradually replacing television as privileged forms of consumption by thousands of daily viewers through online platforms, we are interested in studying the representation of drug use that is made in current series. The analysis panorama includes the representation of “hard” drugs in the characterization of anti-heroic characters and in young characters from narratives of the coming-of-age genre, as well as in iconic series that showed the world of drugs such as The Wire. Also included is the analysis of problematic alcohol consumption in university professors and addiction to other drugs such as opioids. This complex kaleidoscope allows us to understand the coordinates of current consumption, which do not always imply an addiction, but which in all cases imply different degrees of suffering. (AU)

Social imaginaries of addictions in series: representations of hypermodernity / Imaginarios sociales de las adicciones en las series: representaciones de la hipermodernidad

This article briefly introduces a historicization of drug use, from the rituals of Antiquity to hypermodernity, a time characterized by hyper-individualism and the fall of ideals, where drug use appears related to an individual experience and alienation. Faced with the exponential increase in drug use in recent decades, we wonder about the characteristics of substance consumption and what are the social imaginaries about this problem, that is, how society understands this use. One of the privileged ways to access these social imaginaries is through cultural products such as literature, cinema or series. Considering that series are gradually replacing television as privileged forms of consumption by thousands of daily viewers through online platforms, we are interested in studying the representation of drug use that is made in current series. The analysis panorama includes the representation of “hard” drugs in the characterization of anti-heroic characters and in young characters from narratives of the coming-of-age genre, as well as in iconic series that showed the world of drugs such as The Wire. Also included is the analysis of problematic alcohol consumption in university professors and addiction to other drugs such as opioids. This complex kaleidoscope allows us to understand the coordinates of current consumption, which do not always imply an addiction, but which in all cases imply different degrees of suffering. (AU)

En este artículo se introduce brevemente una historización del consumo de drogas, desde los rituales de la Antigüedad hasta llegar a la hipermodernidad como una época caracterizada por el hiper-individualismo y la caída de los ideales, donde el consumo de drogas aparece relacionado con una experiencia individual y alienada. Frente al aumento exponencial del consumo de drogas en las últimas décadas, nos preguntamos por sus características y cuáles son los imaginarios sociales sobre esta problemática, es decir, cómo la sociedad entiende este consumo. Una de las formas privilegiadas de acceder a estos imaginarios sociales es a través de productos culturales como la literatura, el cine o las series. Teniendo en cuenta que las series reemplazan paulatinamente a la televisión como formas de consumo privilegiadas por miles de espectadores diarios a través de plataformas en línea, nos interesa estudiar la representación del consumo de drogas que se hace en las series actuales. El panorama de análisis incluye la representación de las drogas “duras” en la caracterización de personajes antiheroicos y en personajes jóvenes de narrativas del género coming-of-age, así como también en series icónicas que mostraron el mundo de las drogas como The Wire. Se incluyetambién el análisis del consumo problemático de alcohol en personajes docentes universitarios y la adicción a fármacos como los opioides. Este complejo caleidoscopio nos permite entender las coordenadas de consumo actuales, que no siempre implican una adicción, pero que en todos los casos implican grados variables de padecimiento. (AU)

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Emerging Treatments in Mental Health Disorders

Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that were studied extensively between 1943 and 1970 as potential therapies for treating a host of mental health disorders, including addiction. Despite promising early results, U.S. psychedelic research was halted in the early 1970s with the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act. As the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy develops, nurses can decide the role they will play in the continuing clinical and scholarly research of these substances, which may soon be used in controlled settings to treat some of the most widespread mental health disorders. To prepare for this task, this article proposes that nurses * become familiar with the history, relevant language, and scientific findings related to the field of psychedelic research. * learn about existing psychedelic-assisted therapy and research resources. * examine their thoughts, judgments, and opinions about therapeutic psychedelic use. * consider the potential role of nursing in psychedelic-assisted therapies going forward.

El loco del pelo rojo (1956) de Vincente Minelli. La patología dual de Vincent Van Gogh / Lust for life (1956) by Vincente Minelli. Vincent Van Gogh's dual pathology

Diversas teorías han tratado de explicar los síntomas del pintor Vincent Willem van Gogh (Zundert, 3º de marzo de 1853 - Auvers-sur-Oise, 29 de julio de 1890), uno de los máximos exponentes del postimpresionismo. La fuente principal de información, junto a los informes médicos especializados de quienes le trataron en las diferentes etapas de su vida, es la dilatada correspondencia sostenida con su hermano Theodorus «Theo» van Gogh (Zundert, 1 de mayo de 1857 – Utrecht, 25 de enero de 1891), alrededor de 800 cartas. El loco del pelo rojo (1956) de Vincente Minelli, representa una estupenda aproximación a las tribulaciones del artista, rodada en muchos de los escenarios reales que él mismo habitó, e interpretada por el recientemente fallecido actor Kirk Douglas, a los 103 años de edad. Considerando las enfermedades psiquiátricas padecidas por Vincent van Gogh, y su dependencia a sustancias como el tabaco y el alcohol, podríamos encontrarnos ante un caso de patología dual

Various theories have tried to explain the symptons suffered by the painter Vincent Willem van Gogh (Zundert, 3º de marzo de 1853 - Auvers-sur-Oise, 29 de julio de 1890), one of the greatest exponents of post-impresionism. The main source of information, in addition to the medical reports of the specialists who treated him at various stages of his existence, is the extensive correspondence he sustained with his brother Theodorus «Theo» van Gogh (Zundert, 1 de mayo de 1857 - Utrecht, 25 de enero de 1891), almost 800 letters. Lust for life (1956) of Vincente Minelli, represents a remarkable approach to the tribulations of the artista, filmed in many of the real places in which he lived, and performed by the recently deceased actor Kirk Douglas, at 103 years of age. Considering the psychiatric pathology of Vincent van Gogh, as well as his possible dependence on substances such tobacco and alcohol, we understand that we could find ourselves in a case of dual pathology

[Argentinian women and the uses of drugs: A sociohistorical analysis of female drug use in Argentina (1860-1930)]. / Mujeres argentinas y usos de drogas: análisis sociohistórico del uso femenino de sustancias psicoactivas en Argentina (1860-1930).

This article describes cases presented by experts from the legislative and medical-legal fields regarding the use of psychoactive substances among Argentinian women from 1878 to 1930. Background information is presented regarding the relationship between women and the use different drugs, medical interventions on the female body where psychoactive substances were used are analyzed, and experts' descriptions of cases of female drug users are detailed. Experts' discourses during this period did not attempt to comprehend the specificities of female consumption, but were rather used to position the issue of drug use as a social problem. This was done using three prototypes: the victim of a sick husband; the prostitute who encourages drug use among the weak in spirit (natural-born criminals); and the virtuous young woman who succumbs to drug addiction in spite of her father's rule. Each figure reinforces the need for state intervention and increased social control.

Este trabajo describe casos expuestos por expertos de los ámbitos legislativo y médico-legal periodístico, en los que se reporta el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por parte de mujeres de Argentina, entre 1878 y 1930. Se presentan antecedentes sobre mujeres y usos de distintos fármacos, se analizan las intervenciones médicas que utilizan sustancias psicoactivas sobre el cuerpo femenino, y se detallan los casos de mujeres consumidoras desde las miradas expertas. En este periodo, los discursos expertos no buscaron comprender la especificidad femenina del consumo, sino promover el tema drogas como un problema. Esto se produce utilizando tres prototipos: la víctima de un marido enfermo, la prostituta que envicia a los débiles de espíritu (criminal nata), y la joven virtuosa que contraviene la ley del padre y sucumbe en la toxicomanía. Cada figura refuerza la necesidad de intervención estatal y control social.

Mujeres argentinas y usos de drogas: análisis sociohistórico del uso femenino de sustancias psicoactivas en Argentina (1860-1930) / Argentinian women and the uses of drugs: A sociohistorical analysis of female drug use in Argentina (1860-1930)

RESUMEN Este trabajo describe casos expuestos por expertos de los ámbitos legislativo y médico-legal periodístico, en los que se reporta el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por parte de mujeres de Argentina, entre 1878 y 1930. Se presentan antecedentes sobre mujeres y usos de distintos fármacos, se analizan las intervenciones médicas que utilizan sustancias psicoactivas sobre el cuerpo femenino, y se detallan los casos de mujeres consumidoras desde las miradas expertas. En este periodo, los discursos expertos no buscaron comprender la especificidad femenina del consumo, sino promover el tema drogas como un problema. Esto se produce utilizando tres prototipos: la víctima de un marido enfermo, la prostituta que envicia a los débiles de espíritu (criminal nata), y la joven virtuosa que contraviene la ley del padre y sucumbe en la toxicomanía. Cada figura refuerza la necesidad de intervención estatal y control social.

ABSTRACT This article describes cases presented by experts from the legislative and medical-legal fields regarding the use of psychoactive substances among Argentinian women from 1878 to 1930. Background information is presented regarding the relationship between women and the use of different drugs, medical interventions on the female body where psychoactive substances were used are analyzed, and experts' descriptions of cases of female drug users are detailed. Experts' discourses during this period did not attempt to comprehend the specificities of female consumption but were rather used to position the issue of drug use as a social problem. This was done using three prototypes: the victim of a sick husband; the prostitute who encourages drug use among the weak in spirit (natural-born criminals); and the virtuous young woman who succumbs to drug addiction in spite of her father's rule. Each figure reinforces the need for state intervention and increased social control.

Trends in Opioid Misuse among Marijuana Users and Non-Users in the U.S. from 2007-2017.

Prescription-opioid misus e continues to be a significant health concern in the United States. The relationship between marijuana use and prescription-opioid misuse is not clear from the extant literature. This study examined national trends in prescription-opioid misuse among marijuana users and non-users using the 2007-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Cochran-Armitage tests were used to assess the statistical significance of changes in the yearly prevalence of prescription-opioid misuse and marijuana use. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between prescription-opioid and marijuana use adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. From 2007 to 2017, marijuana use increased, while prescription-opioid misuse declined. Larger declines in prescription-opioid misuse were found among marijuana users than non-users. Marijuana ever-use was significantly associated with prescription-opioid misuse. Specifically, marijuana ever-users had higher odds of prescription-opioid misuse (ever-misuse [OR: 3.04; 95% CI, 2.68-3.43]; past-year misuse [OR: 3.44; 95% CI, 3.00-3.94]; and past-month misuse [OR: 4.50; 95% CI, 3.35-6.05]) compared to marijuana never-users. Similar results were found for the association of past-year and past-month marijuana use with prescription-opioid misuse. This study provides data on trends and associations about opioid misuse among marijuana users and non-users in a changing social environment of drug use in the United States. Future research should consider whether there is a causal relationship between marijuana use and prescription opioid misuse.

From disease to criminality ­ changes in how substance dependency is viewed. / Fra sykdom til kriminalitet ­ endringer i synet på rusavhengighet.

BACKGROUND: The policy on drug use is currently undergoing significant change. This article examines how the view of addiction to illegal drugs changed in the first 30 years after the advent of 'the drug problem' in Norway. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a search in Oria, bokhylla.no and various databases on the history of illegal drugs in Norway, with an emphasis on the period from 1960-90, with white papers from 1976 and 1986. RESULTS: Until the mid-1960s, Norway had very few opiate abusers. This generally concerned abuse of medically prescribed drugs, and was perceived as an internal problem for the health services. The youth counterculture in the late 1960s brought the recreational use of illegal substances to Norway, leading to major concern on the part of the public authorities. 'The drug problem' was now perceived as a significant societal problem, with social and societal causal explanations, and was therefore the subject of a white paper (1976). The next white paper (1986) put forward the ideal of a 'drug-free society' for the first time, with the purpose of general deterrence and strict sentencing as important instruments. INTERPRETATION: From the early 1960s until the late 1980s, the 'drug problem' was perceived in different ways. At the start of the period, it was formulated primarily as a medical problem. From the late 1960s, it was seen first and foremost as a social problem caused by changes in society, whereas from the late 1970s until the late 1980s, control measures constituted the most important instrument to address the problem.

The Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry of Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) is a population-based registry of more than 60,000 twins primarily born or living in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Researchers may utilize the MATR for administration of research services, including study recruitment, data or sample (e.g., DNA) collection, archival dataset creation, as well as data collection through mailed, phone or online surveys. In addition, the MATR houses the MATR Repository, with over 1700 DNA samples primarily from whole blood available for researchers interested in DNA genotyping. For over 40 years MATR twins have participated in research studies with investigators from a range of scientific disciplines and institutions. These studies, which have resulted in numerous publications, explored diverse topics, including substance use, smoking behaviors, developmental psychopathology, bullying, children's health, cardiovascular disease, cancer, the human microbiome, epigenetics of aging, children of twins and sleep homeostasis. Researchers interested in utilizing twins are encouraged to contact the MATR to discuss potential research opportunities.

The New York Herald's Very First Report on Dr. Horace Well's Arrest and Suicide-An Original Article Found in New York City Public Library.

The accounts of Dr. Wells' personal life, particularly those of his tempestuous final days, have remained somewhat speculative. On January 24, 1848, a troubled Dr. Wells raced outside of his home and practice on Chambers Street and threw sulfuric acid (vitriol) on two alleged "loose" Broadway girls. We were able to find an original copy of an article published by the New York Herald in the New York City Public Library describing the events of Well's final days.