Drug Use, Public Debate and Increasing Pressures for a Drug Policy Reform in Finland

The situation in Finland is marked by a redistribution of labour between social and health care and criminal control policy. Attitudes are changing especially among the young, authorities are speaking out against the zero-tolerance policy, but there is also resistance to change. The situation is open.

From Medicine to Morals, and Back Again? The Changing Perceptions of ‘the Drug Problem’ in Norway since 1965

Norway has moved from a marked zero-tolerance policy to a debate on treatment instead of punishment. Youth using drugs are seen as problematic but the one with a problematic use should receive treatment. The political parties are however divided and a proposal for liberalization was voted down.

The psychological effects of forced family separation on asylum-seeking children and parents at the US-Mexico border: A qualitative analysis of medico-legal documents

The U.S. government forcibly separated more than 5,000 children from their parents between 2017 and 2018 through its “Zero Tolerance” policy. It is unknown how many of the children have since been reunited with their parents. As of August 1, 2021, however, at least 1,841 children are still separated from their parents. This study systematically examined narratives obtained as part of a medico-legal process by trained clinical experts who interviewed and evaluated parents and children who had been forcibly separated. The data analysis demonstrated that 1) parents and children shared similar pre-migration traumas and the event of forced family separation in the U.S.; 2) they reported signs and symptoms of trauma following reunification; 3) almost all individuals met criteria for DSM diagnoses, even after reunification; 4) evaluating clinicians consistently concluded that mental health treatment was indicated for both parents and children; and 5) signs of malingering were absent in all cases.

The assessment of the structure of anti-doping rules violation and the evaluation of anti-doping measures efficiency in Russian athletics during 2000–2020

The assessment of the structure and trends of doping perpetrations among athletes with a proven high prevalence of doping use might be of great practical interest. Non-compliance with the zero-tolerance policy towards anti-doping rules violators among sports communities with a high prevalence of doping offenses is the main cause of the ineffective fight against doping.Objective: to analyze the structure of anti-doping rule violations and evaluate the effectiveness of measures to counter the spread of doping in Russian athletics in 2000–2020.Materials and methods: to form an objective picture, a database was collected on all anti-doping rule violators in Russian athletics from 2000 to June 01, 2020 from open sources. Retrospective analysis of the protocols of all official competitions held in Russia since 2000 and included in the RUSAF Unified Schedule was performed.Results: 381 cases of anti-doping rule violation committed during 2000–2020 period by 355 athletes were registered. 25 athletes committed 2 doping offenses and 1 athlete 3 ones. Women perpetrated more offenses than men.Conclusions: our study objectified the doping issue in Russian athletics and evaluated the effectiveness of anti-doping measures. The study indicates the need to stop ignoring zero-tolerance policy principles towards doping offenders among the athletic community and creates an incentive to develop functional mechanisms to combat doping.

The same old story: Workplace violence towards healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic

Workplace violence (WPV) is a growing public health problem worldwide affecting physical and mental health of healthcare providers. It has many deterious consequences such as anxiety, burnout and intention to leave the job. With the pandemic, it is assumed that the incidence of workplace violence tends to increase. Particularly, misinformation about the nature of the disease create prejudice against staff working in healthcare facilities. There are several measures to be taken for prevention of physical and mental health of healthcare providers. A “zero-tolerance policy against violence” should be implemented. Doctors and nurses should be encouraged to report incidents. Social support should be provided for the personnel. In this review, our aim was to clarify if there is an increase in the incidence of WPV against healthcare providers in the pandemic process. We also aimed to make recommendations about measures that must be taken to prevent healthcare providers from detrimental effects of WPV.

Before #MeToo: The Fight against Sexual Harassment at Ontario Universities, 1979-1994

This article examines the campaign against sexual harassment conducted at Ontario universities between 1979 and 1994, looking closely at four universities: York, Queen’s, Toronto, and Carleton. Sources examined included campus newspapers, national media, and the CAUT Bulletin. The term “sexual harassment” was only coined in 1975, but it was quickly taken up by campus feminists in Ontario who successfully fought to have universities adopt policies and procedures to combat sexual harassment. By the late 1980s, they had broadened their campaign to look beyond predatory instructors, focusing on actions and behaviours that created a sexist climate that hindered women’s learning and their full participation in campus life. The arguments of both the supporters and the opponents of the campaign are examined. The article concludes with the failure of the Ontario government to impose a “zero tolerance” policy on sexual harassment at universities. While sexual harassment continues to exist at Ontario universities, campus feminists made significant progress during these years.

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Intervention Forces in Central African Republic

Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) continues to undermine UN operations thereby affecting the efficacy of these interventions. This study aims at investigating the extent of “allegations of SEA by intervention force with reference to UN intervention in contemporary African conflicts: A Case of Central Africa Republic (CAR).” This was a library-based research that relied on secondary data. Data was obtained from books, e-books, journals, UN publications and websites. The collected data was analysed thematically so as to establish the extent of allegations of sea by intervention force in CAR. The findings show that UN interventions force in CAR is faced with a myriad of challenges that affect its mandate execution. Much as there has been some positive output in MINUSCA operations, these successes have been shadowed by some of these challenges. SEA has been widespread in Central African Republic, though some of the allegations date before the UN intervention, the wide perception of the populace is that the UN forces are to blame. From the study it can also be concluded that the UN has its hands tied and has not been able to effectively enforce investigations by the TCCs since this a responsibility of the Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs). Given the fact that the UN always faces a challenge of raising troops for PKOs it does not want to lose this ability further by blacklisting TCCs who fail to complete such investigations and punish the offenders. The system wide measures put in place in support of the ‘Zero tolerance policy” have not been effective. Since the study has established that SEA is a real challenge facing PKOs, there should also be effort to make sure that each country takes direct responsibility for the crimes perpetuated by their contingents and failure to complete investigations and conclude such cases should be enforced by strict penalties including banning from participation in Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs).

Potential Causes of Mass School Shooting Incidents

Over the past several years, American educational institutions have seen an increase in gun violence by students. This increase has erupted calls for stricter gun control and larger gun-free zones at institutions of learning. There have been many theories to why American schools have become a place of fear instead of institutions of learning. Some explore the cause of mental illness; some investigate bullying, and a few acknowledge the lack of administrative follow-up on in-school incidents. This chapter will explore the relationships and correlations between the shooter, the victim(s), school zero-tolerance policy and how previous incidents of violence or threats of violence were/are processed in the school systems where these incidents have occurred.