-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To examine whether Dutch and Norwegian adults differ in their opinion on policy measures that may prevent young people from problematic drinking.
Data were derived from a web-based cross-sectional study. In this study, only Dutch and Norwegian adults (aged ≥24 years) were included (n(NL) = 5023, n(NO) = 1916). Opinions on policy items concerning restrictive and educational measures were examined together with alcohol consumption.
Differences between the opinions of the Dutch and Norwegians concerning the restrictive and educational measures were small. In both countries, the support for restrictive measures was predicted by female gender, higher age and less own alcohol consumption. For the educational measures, the explained variance in the Norwegian and Dutch sample was relatively low; this indicates that opinion was more strongly predicted by other factors.
This study indicates that, despite the differences between the Dutch and Norwegian alcohol policy, differences in opinion are small between Dutch and Norwegian respondents, especially regarding restrictive measures that may prevent young people from drinking.
Alcohol and Alcoholism 03/2012; 47(4):479-85. · 2.95 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the opinion on Dutch cannabis policy measures and to explore whether the popularity of these policy measures depends on the extent to which lay people are affected by these measures. The extent to which people are affected has been made operational by: (1) own cannabis use and (2) cannabis use in social network. Methods: A panel survey was carried out among a representative probability of households with 8280 members of above 16 years. People's opinions were examined on four restrictive availability measures and two educational measures. Descriptives, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were used to obtain the opinion on cannabis policy measures. Findings: The educational measures were popular among more than 90% of all respondents. The measures that restrict the availability of can-nabis were more popular among non-users than among users. Having cannabis users within a social network made a significant difference to the opinion on cannabis policy measures. Own cannabis use seems to be the strongest predictor for the opinion of restrictive availability measures. Conclusions: The opinion of a cannabis policy measure depends on whether one is affected by that policy measure.
Drugs Education Prevention & Policy 07/2011; 18:161-171.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The aim of this article is to find out whether opiate addicts who apply for three types of treatment and opiate addicts outside treatment differ in aspects of drug use career and treatment history. Respondents were interviewed in four settings: a low threshold methadone programme (n = 90); a clinical detoxification programme (n = 58); a therapeutic community (TC) programme (n = 81); and outside treatment (n = 81). Data collected with the Addiction Severity Index are used. The results indicate that differences exist among the groups. These are largest between the group outside treatment and the TC group for aspects of both drug use career and treatment history. After controlling for confounding (demographic) variables, it appears that respondents in the TC mention most treatment episodes in most different types of treatment during a length of drug use that appears to be comparable for respondents in the four settings.
07/2009; 3(1):55-60.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Sampling opiate addicts outside the treatment system (hidden population) is considered difficult because there is no appropriate sampling frame. Several methods to achieve some form of random selection have been reviewed by earlier authors. One of these is 'snowballing' or snowball sampling. This term, however, covers various methods based on the central concept of locating new respondents through introductions from initial contact persons. In this publication theoretical aspects of one particular type of snowball sampling are described: snowballing with random nominee selection. Experiences with applying this type of snowballing in a medium sized Dutch city will be reported. The characteristics of the resulting study group of opiate addicts outside the treatment system are described together with different kinds of bias that may affect the representativeness of the study group.
07/2009; 5(4):317-330.
-
Mental Health and Substance Use dual diagnosis 01/2008; 1(2):158 - 171.
-
TSG. 01/2004; 82(5):328-330.
-
TSG. 01/2004; 82(3):196-198.
-
IVO Bulletin. 01/2003; 6(3):8-11.
