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Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Published on: February 18, 2016
Risk environment influences affecting cocaine market expansion within post-conflict Northern Ireland
Tobias Niblock1, Julie Harris1
1School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University, York Street, Belfast BT15 1ED, United Kingdom.
The International Journal on Drug Policy
|March 1, 2025
Summary
Environmental factors, including political changes and organized crime, are fueling cocaine market growth in post-conflict Northern Ireland. Addressing this requires a public health approach with harm reduction strategies.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on environmental factors influencing contemporary cocaine markets in post-conflict societies.
- This study explores environmental influences on cocaine market expansion in Northern Ireland's transitional setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine multi-faceted environmental influences on cocaine market growth in Northern Ireland.
- To understand these influences from the perspective of professionals in diverse service settings.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, exploratory research design using the risk environment framework.
- Purposeful and snowball sampling recruited professionals from policing, voluntary, community substance use, and youth services.
- Semi-structured and email interviews (n=10) followed by reflexive thematic data analysis.
Main Results:
- The changing political landscape facilitated cocaine market growth.
- Increased paramilitary involvement and external organized crime collaboration were identified.
- Diversified supply networks emerged alongside increased demand, linked to normalization and the transitional setting.
Conclusions:
- Unique environmental factors drive cocaine market expansion in post-conflict Northern Ireland.
- A multi-agency, public health-led harm reduction approach is crucial to counter organized crime.
- Routine monitoring, rapid drug testing, and peer-led, trauma-informed harm reduction are recommended.
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