Richard Isralowitz

Substance use: Toward an understanding of its relation to nutrition-related attitudes and behavior among Israeli high school youth

PURPOSE To study the distribution, prevalence, determinants, and association between substance use (e.g., cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs) and eating attitudes and behavior of high school students in the Negev region of Israel in order to provide an improved basis for prevention and health services. METHODS An anonymous questionnaire regarding attitudes and behavior related to substance use and eating (e.g., breakfast before school, a snack or meal during school time, and three meals a day) was answered by 1,513 high school age youth. RESULTS The study participants were at greater risk of poor eating behavior if they: (1) used cigarettes, alcohol, and/or illicit substances (p < .01); and (2) were female (p < .01). It was found that girls who used cigarettes were more likely than other young people studied not to eat properly and not to know about the relation between proper eating behavior and personal health (p < .05). Regardless whether cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit substances were used or not used, more than 50% of the youth reported not eating breakfast and 30% indicated they did not eat three meals daily. CONCLUSIONS There are many concerns about the use and abuse of both licit and illicit substances among adolescents. More attention, however, needs to be given to the relationship between substance use and the attitudes and behavior of young people toward their health, including proper eating habits. The results support the need to develop drug prevention and health programs that are more comprehensive in terms of addressing the broad range of factors associated with adolescent growth and development.

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.

Drug abuse, risks of infectious diseases and service utilization among former Soviet Union immigrants: a view from New York City.

Abstract Based on the high rates of injection drug use and infectious disease such as HIV, HCV and tuberculosis in their home country, immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) comprise a high-risk population in the United States. Yet, little is known about their drug abuse and health problems relative to other immigrant populations like Hispanics. The objectives of this exploratory study were to identify disease risk behavior, and utilization of and barriers to treatment services among drug using immigrants from the FSU. Focused interviews were conducted with 27 public officials and administrators in New York City. This study found that FSU immigrants tend to have culturally unique drug abuse patterns and behavior, such as rapid transition to injection drug use, and suspicion and avoidance of traditional drug treatment approaches. The findings of this exploratory study point to the need for further research and the need to take immediate steps to promote culturally appropriate treatment and prevention services that can address the spread of harmful behavior that threatens the public health of FSU immigrants and Others.

A Preliminary Exploration of Immigrant Substance Abusers from the Former Soviet Union Living in Israel, Germany and the United States: A Multi-National Perspective

SUMMARY The Former Soviet Union (FSU) has historically been seen as having an unusually large population of individuals with alcohol problems. Since the fall of the communist regime, a growing drug abusing population has become visible. With the large migration of its residents to western countries and to Israel, the rates of alcohol and drug problems among these immigrants appear to be disproportionally high, although reliable data are lacking. The purpose of this article is to summarize exploratory data regarding alcohol and other drug use among immigrants from the Former Soviet Union living in Israel, Germany and the United States, and to identify further research needs and implications for treatment and policy.

Toward an Understanding of Russian Speaking Heroin Addicts and Drug Treatment Services in Israel

Abstract This pa per de scribes the find ings from a pur pos ive sample of 152 male and fe male Rus sian-speak ing drug ad diets who im migrated to Is rael dur ing the last ten years. Ap prox i mately one-third of the co hort was not Jew ish, in clud ing 47 per cent of the women. Forty-one per cent of the subjects re ported be ing phys i cally abused and 25 per cent of the women, com pared to 5 per cent of the men, re ported be ing sex u ally abused as a child. Al co hoi abuse was found to be dif fer ent among the par ents of male and fe male ad diets: 46% of the women com pared to 31% of the men had fa thers who drank ex ces sively; 14% of the women compared to 5% of the men had moth ers who were heavy drink ers. Also, female ad diets were more likely than male ad diets to have a mother who used il licit drugs. Treat ment re lated is sues are dis cussed along with the need for specialized, culturally sen si tiveser vice pro vision.

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.

Food Insecurity Among Drug Addicts in Israel: Implications for Social Work Practice

ABSTRACT The intent of this article is to introduce the problem of food insecurity and hunger as a concern for social workers addressing drug addiction and the needs of addicts in Israel. This article discusses the results of a study comparing the food insecurity problem among addicts and non-drug addicts. Specifically, the objectives of this study were: (1) to conduct an analysis of the level of food insecurity in Israel; (2) to examine which individual characteristics are related to food insecurity among addicts and non-addicts; and (3) to better understand how food insecurity can be addressed in the context of social work treatment for addicts. Policy and practice recommendations are discussed.

Substance Use Patterns and Problem Behavior among Immigrant and Native-Born Juvenile Offenders in Israel

The use of licit and illicit substances was examined in relation to the personal and social attributes of juvenile offenders in Israel, 256 native-born and 110 from the former Soviet Union. The findings of this prospective study show that immigrant youth initiate substance use at a younger age; use alcohol more often; have more alcohol-related problems; and, are more inclined to regard their use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs as an aid to coping with stress. Results show that these significant differences may be attributed to familial and economic status factors common to immigrant juvenile offenders. Discussion is given to immigrant juvenile offenders, the provision of culturally sensitive services; as well as the complexities associated with research of this nature.

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.