Marian Buhociu | University of South Wales (original) (raw)

Papers by Marian Buhociu

Drugs-education Prevention and Policy, Jul 25, 2023

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Oct 2, 2023

The University of South Wales would like to say a very big thank you to all the people who provid... more The University of South Wales would like to say a very big thank you to all the people who provided their time to talk to us about their personal experiences of the misuse and diversion of prescription-only and over-the-counter medication. We appreciate that discussing these issues can be difficult and we are indebted to them for their candour. We are also very grateful to those with the professional experience of commissioning, managing or delivering opioid substitute treatment for taking the time to complete our rather long online survey in such detail. Without the input of our interviewees and survey respondents, we would not have been able to learn the valuable lessons that we have. A special thank you is extended to Dr Julia Lewis for her help in designing the survey and to Elwyn Thomas for helping to disseminate the survey far and wide across Wales.

BackgroundThe measures implemented to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus disrupted the prov... more BackgroundThe measures implemented to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus disrupted the provision of substance misuse treatment and support. However, little is known about the impact of this disruption on service users. This study aimed to help substance misuse services learn lessons and identify ways of optimising delivery and minimising harm in the event of any future lockdowns or global crises.MethodsThe study was co-produced by a team of peer researchers, practitioners, policy makers and academics. Telephone interviews were conducted with 202 substance misuse service users over a six-month period commencing June 2020. The interviews were conducted by a small group of seven peer researchers each with lived experience of substance use problems. The interview data were recorded by the peers in an anonymous online questionnaire survey and analysed using standard quantitative and qualitative methods.ResultsService users responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways. Di...

This report focuses on the assessment of impact on the wider population of drinkers and presents ... more This report focuses on the assessment of impact on the wider population of drinkers and presents findings from research conducted prior to the implementation of minimum price for alcohol (MPA) in Wales. The findings provide an important baseline that can be used to monitor the impact of MPA on the wider population of drinkers in Wales post-implementation of the legislation

This report presents the results of a study investigating the potential consequences of introduci... more This report presents the results of a study investigating the potential consequences of introducing a minimum price for alcohol in Wales with a focus on the possibility of 'substance switching'. The study was conducted by a consortium of researchers from Figure 8 Consultancy,

Since the early 1970s, the scene of international narcotics trade welcomed a new actor who in a s... more Since the early 1970s, the scene of international narcotics trade welcomed a new actor who in a short period of time became one of the most successful players in this field: Nigerian drug trafficking cells. Without having control over the production process, these networks specialize in the role of interlopers, regardless of the type of substance trafficked. In 2007, approximately a third of the cocaine produced in South America that reached European consumer markets did so through West African smugglers, from which more than 90% were Nigerians. Almost all the authors who focused on Nigerian drug trafficking networks have stressed that these criminal enterprises are very difficult to investigate. However, very few of them have actually tried to identify and assess these difficulties and even fewer have concentrated on how the police react to these difficulties during their investigations. While the purpose of this research is to offer a contribution to the general understanding of N...

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2020

Aim: Minimum Pricing for Alcohol (MPA) was enacted in Wales on March 2nd 2020. During the legisla... more Aim: Minimum Pricing for Alcohol (MPA) was enacted in Wales on March 2nd 2020. During the legislative process (i.e. consultation and parliamentary discussion), concern was expressed about the possibility of some drinkers switching to using other substances in response to any rise in the cost of alcohol. This paper reports on findings from a study which explored these pre-implementation concerns and how the policy was shaped. Method: The research involved surveys (n=193) and interviews (n=87) with drinkers (predominantly harmful or treatment seeking) and providers of services. Survey responses were detailed, thus when combined with the interviews, provided a wealth of qualitative data, which are drawn upon in this paper. Results: The findings highlight an expectation that most drinkers would respond to the new policy with adaptations of their coping mechanisms to maintain alcohol use at pre-legislative levels. This was either by switching alcohol products and adjusting their lifestyl...

A submission presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of South Wales... more A submission presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru for the degree of

International Journal of Drug Policy

Frontiers in Public Health

Background: Recent research evidence has suggested that gambling is a public health concern. A nu... more Background: Recent research evidence has suggested that gambling is a public health concern. A number of studies report the association between gambling activity and increased instances of various other harms, including substance misuse and psychological disorders. In parallel to alcohol misuse, it is also becoming clear that gambling related harm is more of a continuum of harm, as opposed to traditionally accepted categorisations of gambling behavior: safe and responsible or "problem" and harmful. Previous effective treatment models for alcohol misuse have considered a public health approach to develop interventions. As such, the current research seeks to use a public health approach to both investigate the extent of gambling harm across Wales, and to identify upstream predictors of harm to inform future interventions. Method: A triangulation of data collection methods was utilized across Wales, UK. Two hundred and forty-eight participants completed a quantitative survey relating to gambling behavior and related harm, which included the Problem Severity Gambling Index, the Gambling Commission measure of frequency, The Gambling Motives Questionnaire and the Fast Alcohol Screening tool. Ninety-eight of these participants completed a qualitative subsection. Structured interviews were conducted with 20 individuals from 11 service providers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for the five case studies of individuals who had previously sought help for gambling. The geographical density and distribution of Licensed Gambling Outlets was also mapped in local areas. Results: The findings provide further evidence of a continuum of gambling related harm. Twenty seven percent of survey participants demonstrate some indicators of risk of gambling harm. Social, cultural and environmental contexts play a role in initiation and maintenance of gambling behavior and the subsequent related harm. Accounts from individuals corroborated the quantitative findings. Conclusions: Findings from this Welsh sample are in line with and add support to the growing international research evidence that gambling harms are a universal issue that cross cultures. It is clear that action is needed by legislators at a policy level and that broadening the focus of intervention to a public health level is necessary to develop effective strategies for harm reduction.

Research into the potential for substance switching following the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Wales, 2019

Mae'r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg.