Alexander Reznik

Former Soviet Union immigrant and native-born adolescents in Israel: substance use and related problem behavior.

Abstract Studies on immigration and adolescence show that youth experience a variety of emotional and cognitive adjustments as well as conflicts related to acculturation and the realities of life in their new country. Such conditions place many of them at increased risk for psychosocial problems including personal stress, interpersonal conflicts, mental illness, school failure, delinquency, substance use, and other risk-taking behavior. This prospective study compares the patterns of substance use and problem behaviors among 365 at-risk adolescents born in Israel and those who immigrated to that country from the Former Soviet Union. Findings show that Former Soviet Union youth tend to have higher levels of last 30-day alcohol and ecstasy use and binge drinking. Multiple regression shows binge drinking behavior related to trading property to obtain drugs; deterioration of school achievement; selling drugs; and time spent when being absent from school and hanging around during the day. Country of origin was not found related to this behavior. Further research is needed to study substance use and related problem behavior among immigrant youth controlling for the impact of acculturation and other factors.

Immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus Region: Differential Drug Use, Infectious Disease, and Related Outcomes

This study examined drug use patterns, HIV/AIDS, and related outcomes among former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus mountain region in Israel who reported heroin use. A total of 253 FSU heroin users were interviewed from 2002 to 2007 as part of a large drug use surveillance study in Israel. Individuals were sampled at drug treatment facilities in an urban population center of the Negev region of Israel. Participants were assessed using the Addiction Severity Index, fifth edition. First, immigrants from Russia and Ukraine were compared; then, as a group, compared to those from the Caucasus region. Overall, ASI composite scores suggested comparable levels of addiction severity between the Russian and Ukrainian groups. However, Kavkaz immigrants are older, less likely to be employed, and have more severe scores on many of the drug use measures as compared to the other two nationalities. This study shows different drug use patterns exist among FSU immigrants. Such differences may be, in part, due to socioeconomic, geographic and other sociodemographic factors. Injection drug use, regardless of country/region of origin is a critical public health problem, especially given the link between injection drug use and infectious disease.

Prescription Drug Use Trends Among Israeli School Dropouts: An Analysis of Gender and Country of Origin

Widespread international concern exists about the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NPD), especially among adolescents. This article examines NPD use trends of school dropouts in Israel from 2004 to 2009 based on gender and country of origin status. A cohort of 470 youths completed a self-report questionnaire prior to receiving drug treatment. Females reported NPD at a younger age than males, and their rates of lifetime use and use in the last 30 days were significantly higher. Males, but not females, from former Soviet Union origins reported a higher rate of NPD use than those of Israeli origin. Given the paucity of literature on this topic, this article makes an initial contribution to understanding a growing international problem.

Impact of Religious Education and Religiosity on Adolescent Alcohol Use and Risk-Taking Behavior.

Abstract Alcohol use and risk-taking behavior among 345 male adolescents from three Israeli secular (n = 168) and three religious (n = 177) high schools were studied from 2009 to 2013. Findings show the positive impact religious education and religiosity have on minimizing alcohol use, binge drinking, school underachievement, violence, weapons possession, and driving behavior. These results should be considered by school, social service, and health care personnel addressing the needs of young people, especially those in danger of school failure, drop out, and risk-taking behavior.

Trends in alcohol use among Israeli high school dropouts, 2004–2009

Background and Aims: Alcohol use is a worldwide problem that has a major impact on public health. The harmful use of alcohol is responsible for more than 4% of the global burden of disease. We investigated alcohol use trends and related problem behaviour among school dropouts from Israel. Methods: We studied 470 school dropouts from 2004 to 2009 based on gender and country-of-origin status. Study participants, with a median age of 17, were referred to a residential facility for drug abuse treatment. Results: Age of first use of alcohol was similar for males and females (median age 13); Former Soviet Union (FSU) youths were significantly younger at the age of first drink; and past 30 day alcohol use reflects no gender or country-of-origin status differences. The majority of dropouts reported binge drinking (51.9%); the level of binge drinking was similar among males and females; however, for the past two study years girls reported significantly more binge drinking than males (60.0%; 40.8%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Alcohol is the most common substance used among school dropouts; and further research is needed to understand and address the many health and safety concerns of this understudied, high-risk group.

Toward Uniform Data Collection and Monitoring of Israeli and Palestinian Adolescent Drug Use

The aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with information about the development of a simple and short survey instrument to monitor drug use and related problem behavior among high-risk youth in the Middle East. The development of the instrument occurred in three main phases: (1) collection of existing surveys; (2) contact with relevant health professionals in the United States, in Europe, and in the region; and (3) assessment of prevention and treatment priorities among service providers addressing adolescent drug abuse and addiction problems. Issues for the development of the Substance Use Survey Instrument (SUSI) were refined through consultation with experts and adolescents. During a period of more than 15 years, the valid and reliable instrument has been modified and updated numerous times to address new substances and to simplify the questions asked because of the limited reading comprehension of the target population. Although the instrument is primarily for use with youth at risk including those who dropped out of school, the nature of the instrument has been modified for use with other groups including young adults and adults.

Ethiopian origin high-risk youth: a cross-cultural examination of alcohol use, binge drinking, and problem behavior

Alcohol use among underage youth has a major impact on public health, accidents, fatalities, and other problem behaviors. In Israel, alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors are a growing concern. The purpose of this study was to examine underserved and underreported Ethiopian origin youth by comparing their substance use patterns and behavior with other high-risk youth. Data were collected from a purposive sample of boys of Ethiopian, former Soviet Union, and Israeli origin who were receiving treatment for drug use. Youth were asked to complete a simply worded self-report questionnaire developed for monitoring substance use and related problem behaviors. Ethiopian youth reported higher rates of family unemployment and public welfare dependence, last 30-day consumption of beer and hard liquor, serious fighting, and achievement decline when in school compared with the other youths. Findings highlight the need for ethno-cultural specific prevention and intervention efforts and further research of this high-risk, underserved group of immigrant origin youth.

Vision needs of people with intellectual disability in residential facilities and community-based homes for independent living

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to assess the visual problems of people with intellectual disability in residential and community-based facilities. Method. A purposive sample of 146 male and female adults, aged 21 and older, living in residential facilities and community-based homes in the southern region of Israel was used to assess and compare vision problems. Results. Among those screened, 77% were found to have a visual problem. Only astigmatism was found to differentiate the two groups. Those living in the community, particularly men, were more likely to have astigmatism. Conclusions. Addressing the eye care needs of people with intellectual disability is a difficult process. People with intellectual disability, however, need ophthalmological and optometric screening to determine whether they can benefit from such intervention, including cataract removal and eyeglasses, to improve their quality of life.

Immigration, Acculturation, and Drug Use

Israel is a nation of immigrants from many countries. From 1989 to 1998, the Israeli population of 4.5 million rose about 20 % primarily from the nearly one million Soviet immigrants, mostly from Russia and the Ukraine, who entered the country. A large proportion of the Russian-speaking immigrants had training and education in a variety of technical and professional fields, and success was an important component of their world view and culture. However, there were immigrants who arrived in Israel with drug abuse problems and others became addicted during the absorption process. Presently, Russian-speaking immigrants are 13 % of the Israel population, but about 25 % of the illicit drug users in the country. Difficulties with the process of acculturation have been linked to the development of emotional and behavioral problems including mental illness, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse. And, alcohol and drug use emerges as a coping mechanism to mitigate the stresses that immigrants encounter in the host society. This chapter examines the dynamic and highly complex process of acculturation that can lead to mental health and addiction related problems. A number of conceptual models of acculturation are presented applicable to many different people in many different countries.

Religiosity as a Substance Use Protective Factor Among Female College Students

Research exists about religiosity as a substance use protective factor. However, there is little attention of this issue regarding Israeli female college students. Undergraduate religious and secular students were studied. Religious students reported lower last month tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and non-medical prescription drug use. Secular females who smoked, missed class because of party habits and reported easy access to cannabis had a higher probability of binge drinking. This study contributes to knowledge about religiosity and college student substance use, and it provides useful information for their mental health and well-being.