Search

Introduction: Children in families affected by substance use disorders are at high risk of being placed in out‐of‐home care (OOHC). We aimed to describe the characteristics of parents who inject drugs and identify correlates associated with child placement in OOHC. Method s : We used baseline data from a community‐based cohort of parents who inject drugs (SuperMIX) from Melbourne, Australia. Participants were recruited via convenience, respondent‐driven and snowball sampling from April 2008 to November 2020, with follow‐up until March 2021. To explore correlates associated with child placement to OOHC, we used multivariable logistic regression and assessed for potential interactions between gender and a range of relevant covariates. Results: Of the 1067 participants, 611 (57%) reported being parents. Fifty‐six percent of parents reported child protection involvement. Almost half (49%) had children in OOHC. Nearly half of the parents lived in unstable accommodation (44%) and many of them experienced moderate–severe levels of anxiety (48%) and depression (53%). Female or non‐binary gender, identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, experiencing assault and having more children were associated with child removal to OOHC. Of the 563 participants who reported their own childhood care status, 135 (24%) reported they had been removed to OOHC. Discussion and Conclusions: We identified high rates of child placement in OOHC among parents who inject drugs. There is a need for targeted health and social services, that are gender and culturally responsive, in addition to systems‐level interventions addressing social inequities, such as housing, to support parents to care for their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims: Limited research has investigated methamphetamine use and related harms in rural and regional Australia. We investigated whether people who used methamphetamine in non‐metropolitan Victoria differed in their sociodemographics and were more likely to be methamphetamine‐dependent than those recruited in Melbourne. Design and Methods: We used baseline data from an ongoing prospective cohort study, 'VMAX'. Participants were recruited from Melbourne and three non‐metropolitan Victorian regions. Sequential multivariable logistic regression of nested models assessed unadjusted and adjusted associations between residential locations and methamphetamine dependence. Results: The sample mostly (77%) comprised people who used methamphetamine via non‐injecting means (N = 744). Thirty‐nine percent were female. Melbourne‐based participants were less likely than non‐metropolitan participants to identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, be heterosexual, have children and be unemployed. More frequent methamphetamine use (adjusted odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.12–1.34) and using crystal methamphetamine versus 'speed' powder (adjusted odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.26–3.64) were independently (P < 0.05) associated with being classified as methamphetamine‐dependent. A significantly higher percentage of participants in every non‐metropolitan region were classified as methamphetamine‐dependent vs. those in Melbourne, but this relationship was attenuated when adjusting for methamphetamine use frequency and primary form used. Despite 65% of participants being classified as methamphetamine‐dependent, less than half had recently (past year) accessed any professional support for methamphetamine, with minimal variation by recruitment location. Discussions and Conclusions: VMAX participants in non‐metropolitan Victoria were more likely to be methamphetamine‐dependent than those living in Melbourne. Unmet need for professional support appears to exist among people using methamphetamine across the state, regardless of geographical location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children in families where there is substance misuse are at high risk of being removed from their parents' care. This study describes the characteristics of a community sample of parents who primarily smoke methamphetamine and their child or children's residential status. Design and Methods: Baseline data from a prospective study of methamphetamine smokers ('VMAX'). Participants were recruited via convenience, respondent‐driven and snowball sampling. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations between parental status; fathers' or mothers' socio‐demographic, psychosocial, mental health, alcohol, methamphetamine use dependence, alcohol use and child or children's co‐residential status. Results: Of the 744 participants, 394 (53%) reported being parents; 76% (88% of fathers, 57% of mothers) reported no co‐resident children. Compared to parents without co‐resident children, parents with co‐resident children were more likely to have a higher income. Fathers with co‐resident children were more likely to be partnered and not to have experienced violence in the previous 6 months. Mothers with co‐resident children were less likely to have been homeless recently or to have accessed treatment for methamphetamine use. Discussion and Conclusions: The prevalence of non‐co‐resident children was much higher than previously reported in studies of parents who use methamphetamine; irrespective of whether in or out of treatment. There is a need for accessible support and services for parents who use methamphetamine; irrespective of their child or children's co‐residency status. Research is needed to determine the longitudinal impact of methamphetamine use on parents' and children's wellbeing and to identify how parents with co‐resident children (particularly mothers) can be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Local governments (LG) have a key role in reducing alcohol‐related harm, yet, Australian research investigating this is limited. This study aimed to explore Australian LGs' role in alcohol policy by investigating how LGs respond to alcohol‐related harm and what influences their responses. Methods: A collective case study approach guided two‐stage purposive sampling. Victorian metropolitan and regional LGs were invited to participate based on alcohol‐related harm profiles. Officers within LGs with alcohol policy knowledge participated in semi‐structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed deductively using a pre‐existing alcohol policy framework and inductively using thematic analysis. Results: Nine officers from eight LGs participated. LG responses to alcohol‐related harm predominately included bans on alcohol in public spaces, licensed premises planning and alcohol‐free youth events. Half implemented liquor forums/accords and most implemented education programs in sporting clubs, schools or workplaces. In some LGs, the reduction of alcohol‐related harm was not considered a priority. Key influences on alcohol initiatives were legislation, the composition of licensed venues, extent of alcohol‐related harms, resources and priorities, and stakeholder feedback. Discussion and Conclusions: While particular policies were widespread, participating LGs varied greatly in activity in, and responses to, reducing alcohol‐related harm. LGs reported varied influences on their responses. LGs recognised the long‐term health harms of alcohol in their health planning documents, however, most prioritised interventions targeting short‐term amenity and safety harms. Changes to Victorian planning and liquor licensing legislation to give additional powers to LGs and providing pre‐developed alcohol programs with dedicated funding should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Environmental and societal factors are significant determinants of children's initiation to and use of alcohol. Schools are important settings for promoting well-being and substantial resources have been devoted to curriculum-based alcohol programs, but the effects of these in reducing the misuse of alcohol have been modest. Adults can and do consume alcohol at school events when students are present, but there is a dearth of evidence about parents' level of support for the practice. The aim of this study was to examine parents' level of support for the purchase and consumption of alcohol at primary school fundraising events when children are present. Methods. Four hundred seventy-nine Australian parents of children aged 0-12 years participated in an online survey. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of parent characteristics on the level of agreement with parental purchase and consumption of alcohol at school fundraising events when children are present. Results. The majority of parents (60%) disagreed/strongly disagreed with the practice of adults being able to purchase and consume alcohol at school fundraising events when children were present. The 21% of parents who supported the practice were more likely to be daily smokers and/or have higher (>6) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—alcohol consumption scores. Conclusions. Despite the fact that the majority of parents disagree with this practice, published reports suggest that adults' use of alcohol at primary school events is an emerging issue. It is important that school decision-makers are mindful of the financial and educational value of fundraising activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which parent and adolescent characteristics predict parental supply of full serves of alcohol (i.e. not simply sips) to their adolescent aged 14-16 years. Design and Methods. In 2009, a cross-sectional sample of 388 parents from Victoria, Australia was surveyed. Results. Of the 70% of parents who believed that their adolescent currently drinks, 37% reported supplying their underage adolescent with more than a sip of alcohol in the last 3 months. Alcohol supply was significantly associated with parents' perceptions that their adolescent drinks, odds ratio 1.87 (95% confidence interval 1.38-2.53) and higher levels of parental monitoring, odds ratio 1.44 (95% confidence interval 1.10-1.94) but not significantly associated with parent/adolescent sociodemographic characteristics or parents' drinking patterns. Discussion and Conclusions. Consistent with reports from Australian students, parents are a major source of supply of alcohol to underage adolescents. While there are legislative and policy guidelines regarding the use of alcohol by underage adolescents, parents need support to implement and reinforce alcohol-specific rules for their children.[Ward BM, Snow PC. Factors affecting parental supply of alcohol to underage adolescents. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:338-343] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]