Iron and copper release participates in the myocardial injury under ischemic conditions and hence... more Iron and copper release participates in the myocardial injury under ischemic conditions and hence protection might be achieved by iron chelators. Data on copper chelation are, however, sparse. The effect of the clinically used copper chelator D-penicillamine in the catecholamine model of acute myocardial injury was tested in cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2 and in Wistar Han rats. D-Penicillamine had a protective effect against catecholamine-induced injury both in vitro and in vivo. It protected H9c2 cells against the catecholamine-induced viability loss in a dose-dependent manner. In animals, both intravenous D-penicillamine doses of 11 (low) and 44 mg/kg (high) decreased the mortality caused by s.c. isoprenaline (100 mg/kg) from 36% to 14% and 22%, respectively. However, whereas the low D-penicillamine dose decreased the release of cardiac troponin T (specific marker of myocardial injury), the high dose resulted in an increase. Interestingly, the high dose led to a marked elevation in plasma vitamin C. This might be related to potentiation of oxidative stress, as suggested by additional in vitro experiments with D-penicillamine (iron reduction and the Fenton reaction). In conclusion, D-penicillamine has protective potential against catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity; however the optimal dose selection seems to be crucial for further application.
ABSTRACT Specialist vocational training for ex-drug users include employment skills training, sup... more ABSTRACT Specialist vocational training for ex-drug users include employment skills training, supported placements and thera-peutic work programmes. The research was peer led by Client Forum representatives of five 'Special Community Employment' schemes and aimed to explore participant experiences of Methadone Stabilization; 'Special Community Employment' schemes, and Vocational Outcomes. A Client Forum consultation (n = 11) and Client Forum representative focus groups (n = 2) were used to finalize interview questions. In depth interviews with a convenience sample of participants from 'Special Community Employ-ment' schemes (n = 25) were conducted. Content and thematic analysis of narratives was undertaken with Client Forum (n = 11) interpretative support. The findings are indicative of 'Special Community Employment' schemes offering methadone maintenance participants' the opportunity to commence recovery, engage in vocational training and reintegrate into the community. However, participation in these schemes appeared restrictive and operated primarily as therapeutic medium, with little individual vocational care planning, training or supported work placements. Many participants reported leaving these schemes unqualified, unemployed and experiencing little aftercare. The research underscores the need for extensive revision of 'Special Community Employment' schemes within an interagency approach, so as to provide specific therapeutic supports dependent on individual recovery stage, and client specific vocational training needs, certification, work placement and supportive aftercare.
Silk Road is located on the Deep Web and provides an anonymous transacting infrastructure for the... more Silk Road is located on the Deep Web and provides an anonymous transacting infrastructure for the retail of drugs and pharmaceuticals. Members are attracted to the site due to protection of identity by screen pseudonyms, variety and quality of product listings, selection of vendors based on reviews, reduced personal risks, stealth of product delivery, development of personal connections with vendors in stealth modes and forum activity. The study aimed to explore vendor accounts of Silk Road as retail infrastructure. A single and holistic case study with embedded units approach (Yin, 2003) was chosen to explore the accounts of vendor subunits situated within the Silk Road marketplace. Vendors (n=10) completed an online interview via the direct message facility and via Tor mail. Vendors described themselves as 'intelligent and responsible' consumers of drugs. Decisions to commence vending operations on the site centred on simplicity in setting up vendor accounts, and opportuni...
Community practitioner : the journal of the Community Practitioners' & Health Visitors' Association, 2012
Detoxification from alcohol and/or drugs and the achievement of abstinence without formal treatme... more Detoxification from alcohol and/or drugs and the achievement of abstinence without formal treatment is often preferred using community-based supports from local GPs and family. Family members are often involved in the sourcing of information on detoxification and treatment options, user advocacy and provision of remedial supports while detoxifying within the family home. The aim of the research was to describe and explore family experiences of self-detoxification processes from the perspectives of mothers in the Mid West of Ireland. A convenience sample of adult mothers who had experienced their child detoxifying in the home (n=9) were interviewed. The findings illustrated varied personal definitions of detoxification. Addiction stigma and costly experiences of treatment and after care pathways facilitated home detoxification attempts. A lack of GP advice, support and information around safe home detoxification was observed to contribute to information and support seeking from frien...
Mephedrone injecting has recently been reported in Romania, Slovenia, Guernsey and Ireland. The r... more Mephedrone injecting has recently been reported in Romania, Slovenia, Guernsey and Ireland. The research reported here aimed to describe the experiences of a group of Irish injecting drug users, who were injecting mephedrone based headshop products prior to the introduction of legislative controls in Ireland, with particular focus on pre- and post-legislative use, effects of injecting mephedrone, settings and contexts for injecting, polydrug use and serial drug injecting, risk perceptions and harm reduction practises. Following a predevelopment phase with a Privileged Access Interviewer, in-depth interviews using a phenomenological approach were conducted with eleven attendees of a low threshold harm reduction service. The findings describe the abuse potential of these mephedrone based headshop products when used by intravenous injection. Although participants were aware of risks and safe injecting practises, compulsive re injecting with excessive binge use over long periods of time...
Therefore, the research proposal from Researchers, Dr. Marie Claire Van Hout and Tim Bingham, to ... more Therefore, the research proposal from Researchers, Dr. Marie Claire Van Hout and Tim Bingham, to research this particular area was most welcomed by the MWRDTF. This research would enhance our understanding of the experience of home detoxification, from ...
This presentation was presented at University College Cork. All the documents highlighted in the ... more This presentation was presented at University College Cork. All the documents highlighted in the presentation are hyperlinked to assist in the accessing further resources.
Bold new laws introduced in Ireland to tackle legal highs and NPS dramatically cut the number of ... more Bold new laws introduced in Ireland to tackle legal highs and NPS dramatically cut the number of head shops. But the country’s drug users merely switched substances or modes of supply.
The issue of substance misuse related anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre has for a long ... more The issue of substance misuse related anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre has for a long time been a source of media focus and public concern. Following the establishment in 2010 of the Dublin City Local Business Policing Forum, this issue became a recurring item of discussion. A number of agencies and organisations were invited to make presentations on the topic. In January 2011, in his capacity as chairman of the Policing Forum, former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Gerry Breen, called a meeting of representatives of some of Dublin Cityâ?Ts key stakeholders. At the meeting it was proposed that a generic Good Neighbour policy which could be localised by any drug service could be developed. As part of the Ana Liffey Drug Projectâ?Ts suite of services, the Progression Routes initiative was tasked with the job of interviewing relevant stakeholders to develop a suitable policy. During this process those involved expressed an interest in establishing a cross city/inter-agency ...
The aim of this evaluation was to establish whether the current model of naloxone provision and t... more The aim of this evaluation was to establish whether the current model of naloxone provision and training across all Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland is sufficient and to identify areas for development. All individuals interviewed regarded the naloxone programme positively. The programme is and should be viewed as a community asset, developing skills and providing equipment to save lives. The issues identified in the above list should help to increase the impact of this programme in reducing opioid deaths in Northern Ireland.
Ten Level 2 prescribing doctors and six Level 1 prescribing doctors were interviewed, of which fi... more Ten Level 2 prescribing doctors and six Level 1 prescribing doctors were interviewed, of which five operated in both specialised clinics and private practice, three worked only in specialised clinics, and seven were in private practice. Three participants described situations where they were certified as Level 1 in their private practices, but were operating as Level 2 in specialised clinics. All participants described working closely with local pharmacists.
The overall aim of this study is to provide the DNEDTF with information regarding service provide... more The overall aim of this study is to provide the DNEDTF with information regarding service providers’ experiences of methadone maintenance treatment, rehabilitation, Special CE schemes, education and training, and avenues for progression, in order to facilitate provision of an effective Clients Forum.
PowerPoint presentation made to the Web Science Institute and the Doctoral Training Centre at the... more PowerPoint presentation made to the Web Science Institute and the Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Southampton.
Presentation given at the first National Conference to learn more about the future of Students fo... more Presentation given at the first National Conference to learn more about the future of Students for Sensible Drug Policy in Ireland.
The purpose of this study was to outline the need for football community trusts (FCTs) to reduce ... more The purpose of this study was to outline the need for football community trusts (FCTs) to reduce their reliance on grant funding and to explore opportunities for partnerships with commercial organisations, in particular through sponsorship arrangements, as an appropriate mechanism to do so. The first stage of research involved the quantitative analysis of 76 FCT financial statements to explore revenue sources and mix at FCTs. The second stage involved case study analysis of four FCTs using semi-structured interviews with senior staff and supporting secondary data to explore opportunities for increasing income through sponsorship arrangements. The research found that FCTs are overly reliant on grant funding and that opportunities exist for FCTs to target sponsorship as an area of revenue growth. This paper demonstrates the opportunity for FCTs to generate sponsorship income to diversify revenue streams and ensure their financial sustainability in a competitive operating landscape. Th...
Iron and copper release participates in the myocardial injury under ischemic conditions and hence... more Iron and copper release participates in the myocardial injury under ischemic conditions and hence protection might be achieved by iron chelators. Data on copper chelation are, however, sparse. The effect of the clinically used copper chelator D-penicillamine in the catecholamine model of acute myocardial injury was tested in cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2 and in Wistar Han rats. D-Penicillamine had a protective effect against catecholamine-induced injury both in vitro and in vivo. It protected H9c2 cells against the catecholamine-induced viability loss in a dose-dependent manner. In animals, both intravenous D-penicillamine doses of 11 (low) and 44 mg/kg (high) decreased the mortality caused by s.c. isoprenaline (100 mg/kg) from 36% to 14% and 22%, respectively. However, whereas the low D-penicillamine dose decreased the release of cardiac troponin T (specific marker of myocardial injury), the high dose resulted in an increase. Interestingly, the high dose led to a marked elevation in plasma vitamin C. This might be related to potentiation of oxidative stress, as suggested by additional in vitro experiments with D-penicillamine (iron reduction and the Fenton reaction). In conclusion, D-penicillamine has protective potential against catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity; however the optimal dose selection seems to be crucial for further application.
ABSTRACT Specialist vocational training for ex-drug users include employment skills training, sup... more ABSTRACT Specialist vocational training for ex-drug users include employment skills training, supported placements and thera-peutic work programmes. The research was peer led by Client Forum representatives of five 'Special Community Employment' schemes and aimed to explore participant experiences of Methadone Stabilization; 'Special Community Employment' schemes, and Vocational Outcomes. A Client Forum consultation (n = 11) and Client Forum representative focus groups (n = 2) were used to finalize interview questions. In depth interviews with a convenience sample of participants from 'Special Community Employ-ment' schemes (n = 25) were conducted. Content and thematic analysis of narratives was undertaken with Client Forum (n = 11) interpretative support. The findings are indicative of 'Special Community Employment' schemes offering methadone maintenance participants' the opportunity to commence recovery, engage in vocational training and reintegrate into the community. However, participation in these schemes appeared restrictive and operated primarily as therapeutic medium, with little individual vocational care planning, training or supported work placements. Many participants reported leaving these schemes unqualified, unemployed and experiencing little aftercare. The research underscores the need for extensive revision of 'Special Community Employment' schemes within an interagency approach, so as to provide specific therapeutic supports dependent on individual recovery stage, and client specific vocational training needs, certification, work placement and supportive aftercare.
Silk Road is located on the Deep Web and provides an anonymous transacting infrastructure for the... more Silk Road is located on the Deep Web and provides an anonymous transacting infrastructure for the retail of drugs and pharmaceuticals. Members are attracted to the site due to protection of identity by screen pseudonyms, variety and quality of product listings, selection of vendors based on reviews, reduced personal risks, stealth of product delivery, development of personal connections with vendors in stealth modes and forum activity. The study aimed to explore vendor accounts of Silk Road as retail infrastructure. A single and holistic case study with embedded units approach (Yin, 2003) was chosen to explore the accounts of vendor subunits situated within the Silk Road marketplace. Vendors (n=10) completed an online interview via the direct message facility and via Tor mail. Vendors described themselves as 'intelligent and responsible' consumers of drugs. Decisions to commence vending operations on the site centred on simplicity in setting up vendor accounts, and opportuni...
Community practitioner : the journal of the Community Practitioners' & Health Visitors' Association, 2012
Detoxification from alcohol and/or drugs and the achievement of abstinence without formal treatme... more Detoxification from alcohol and/or drugs and the achievement of abstinence without formal treatment is often preferred using community-based supports from local GPs and family. Family members are often involved in the sourcing of information on detoxification and treatment options, user advocacy and provision of remedial supports while detoxifying within the family home. The aim of the research was to describe and explore family experiences of self-detoxification processes from the perspectives of mothers in the Mid West of Ireland. A convenience sample of adult mothers who had experienced their child detoxifying in the home (n=9) were interviewed. The findings illustrated varied personal definitions of detoxification. Addiction stigma and costly experiences of treatment and after care pathways facilitated home detoxification attempts. A lack of GP advice, support and information around safe home detoxification was observed to contribute to information and support seeking from frien...
Mephedrone injecting has recently been reported in Romania, Slovenia, Guernsey and Ireland. The r... more Mephedrone injecting has recently been reported in Romania, Slovenia, Guernsey and Ireland. The research reported here aimed to describe the experiences of a group of Irish injecting drug users, who were injecting mephedrone based headshop products prior to the introduction of legislative controls in Ireland, with particular focus on pre- and post-legislative use, effects of injecting mephedrone, settings and contexts for injecting, polydrug use and serial drug injecting, risk perceptions and harm reduction practises. Following a predevelopment phase with a Privileged Access Interviewer, in-depth interviews using a phenomenological approach were conducted with eleven attendees of a low threshold harm reduction service. The findings describe the abuse potential of these mephedrone based headshop products when used by intravenous injection. Although participants were aware of risks and safe injecting practises, compulsive re injecting with excessive binge use over long periods of time...
Therefore, the research proposal from Researchers, Dr. Marie Claire Van Hout and Tim Bingham, to ... more Therefore, the research proposal from Researchers, Dr. Marie Claire Van Hout and Tim Bingham, to research this particular area was most welcomed by the MWRDTF. This research would enhance our understanding of the experience of home detoxification, from ...
This presentation was presented at University College Cork. All the documents highlighted in the ... more This presentation was presented at University College Cork. All the documents highlighted in the presentation are hyperlinked to assist in the accessing further resources.
Bold new laws introduced in Ireland to tackle legal highs and NPS dramatically cut the number of ... more Bold new laws introduced in Ireland to tackle legal highs and NPS dramatically cut the number of head shops. But the country’s drug users merely switched substances or modes of supply.
The issue of substance misuse related anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre has for a long ... more The issue of substance misuse related anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre has for a long time been a source of media focus and public concern. Following the establishment in 2010 of the Dublin City Local Business Policing Forum, this issue became a recurring item of discussion. A number of agencies and organisations were invited to make presentations on the topic. In January 2011, in his capacity as chairman of the Policing Forum, former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Gerry Breen, called a meeting of representatives of some of Dublin Cityâ?Ts key stakeholders. At the meeting it was proposed that a generic Good Neighbour policy which could be localised by any drug service could be developed. As part of the Ana Liffey Drug Projectâ?Ts suite of services, the Progression Routes initiative was tasked with the job of interviewing relevant stakeholders to develop a suitable policy. During this process those involved expressed an interest in establishing a cross city/inter-agency ...
The aim of this evaluation was to establish whether the current model of naloxone provision and t... more The aim of this evaluation was to establish whether the current model of naloxone provision and training across all Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland is sufficient and to identify areas for development. All individuals interviewed regarded the naloxone programme positively. The programme is and should be viewed as a community asset, developing skills and providing equipment to save lives. The issues identified in the above list should help to increase the impact of this programme in reducing opioid deaths in Northern Ireland.
Ten Level 2 prescribing doctors and six Level 1 prescribing doctors were interviewed, of which fi... more Ten Level 2 prescribing doctors and six Level 1 prescribing doctors were interviewed, of which five operated in both specialised clinics and private practice, three worked only in specialised clinics, and seven were in private practice. Three participants described situations where they were certified as Level 1 in their private practices, but were operating as Level 2 in specialised clinics. All participants described working closely with local pharmacists.
The overall aim of this study is to provide the DNEDTF with information regarding service provide... more The overall aim of this study is to provide the DNEDTF with information regarding service providers’ experiences of methadone maintenance treatment, rehabilitation, Special CE schemes, education and training, and avenues for progression, in order to facilitate provision of an effective Clients Forum.
PowerPoint presentation made to the Web Science Institute and the Doctoral Training Centre at the... more PowerPoint presentation made to the Web Science Institute and the Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Southampton.
Presentation given at the first National Conference to learn more about the future of Students fo... more Presentation given at the first National Conference to learn more about the future of Students for Sensible Drug Policy in Ireland.
The purpose of this study was to outline the need for football community trusts (FCTs) to reduce ... more The purpose of this study was to outline the need for football community trusts (FCTs) to reduce their reliance on grant funding and to explore opportunities for partnerships with commercial organisations, in particular through sponsorship arrangements, as an appropriate mechanism to do so. The first stage of research involved the quantitative analysis of 76 FCT financial statements to explore revenue sources and mix at FCTs. The second stage involved case study analysis of four FCTs using semi-structured interviews with senior staff and supporting secondary data to explore opportunities for increasing income through sponsorship arrangements. The research found that FCTs are overly reliant on grant funding and that opportunities exist for FCTs to target sponsorship as an area of revenue growth. This paper demonstrates the opportunity for FCTs to generate sponsorship income to diversify revenue streams and ensure their financial sustainability in a competitive operating landscape. Th...
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