Academic dishonesty among criminal justice majors: A research note

There is a limited, but growing body of literature on the academic integrity of criminal justice majors. This study adds to the research by surveying 850 students at a Midwestern university and comparing criminal justice majors to students majoring in other disciplines. The survey consisted of various academic dishonesty behaviors, rationales for being academically dishonest, and whether or not the behaviors were ethical. The results indicated that there were some differences between criminal justice and non-criminal justice majors; however, for most measures, the two groups of students were similar. Unfortunately, the overall level of cheating was high for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice students.     

Developments in South African law on HIV/AIDS

South Africa has a powerful legal framework that offers high levels of protection to people living with HIV/AIDS, yet discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS continues to be widespread in South African society. Court cases decided in 2003 regarding children's issues and health care testify to this ongoing discrimination, and to the potential of the South African legal system to uphold the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.     

Hochwasserschutz im Spannungsverhältnis zum übrigen Fachplanungsrecht, Raumordnungsrecht und zur Bauleitplanung

Durch das Oderhochwasser, aber vor allem durch die Flutkatastrophe an der Elbe im August 2002, ist der Hochwasserschutz verstärkt in das öffentliche Bewusstsein getreten. Dies hat auf der Ebene von Bund und Ländern zu verschiedenen Aktionen geführt, die sich nunmehr in Gesetzesänderungen niederschlagen sollen 1. Der Hochwasserschutz kann dabei durchaus in ein Spannungsverhältnis zu anderen öffentlichen und privaten Anliegen und Belangen treten—vor allem, wenn sich aus deren Sicht Einschränkungen für die bauliche oder sonstige Nutzung der betroffenen Flächen ergeben können. Ein wichtiger Teilausschnitt aus diesem Gesamtproblem ist das Spannungsverhältnis des Hochwasserschutzes zum übrigen Fachplanungsrecht, zum Raumordnungsrecht und zur Bauleitplanung. Hierüber soll auf der Grundlage des vorliegenden Gesetzentwurfs der Bundesregierung zum verbesserten Hochwasserschutz berichtet werden. *) Der Beitrag beruht auf einem Vortrag, den der Verfasser auf dem 9. Leipziger Umweltrechts-Symposium Rechtliche Aspekte des vorbeugenden Hochwasserschutzes am 22. 4. 2004 gehalten hat und der auch in dem von dem Direktoren des Instituts für Umwelt- und Planungsrecht, Prof. Dr. Martin Oldiges und Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Köck betreuten Tagungsband erscheinen wird.     

Serum cannabinoid levels 24 to 48 hours after cannabis smoking

Low concentrations of THC and 11-hydroxy-THC in serum samples are often claimed not to result from recent cannabis use. Prediction of time of exposure is difficult, especially if distinctive features of drug use could not be observed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the presence of THC and 11-hydroxy-THC in serum samples as well as to obtain preliminary data on the analyte profile for a time window of 24-48 hours after discontinuation of cannabis smoking. Serum samples from heavy (n = 12, > 1 joint/day), moderate (n = 11, < or = 1 joint/day) and light (n = 6, < 1 joint/week) smokers of cannabis were analyzed for THC, 11-hydroxy-THC and free THC-COOH by GC/MS as well as for glucuronidated THC-COOH by LC/MS-MS. The blood samples were collected 24-48 hours after abstaining from cannabis use. Additionally, 8 specimens were obtained from persons after discontinuation of the drug for more than 48 hours. During collection of the blood samples, distinctive effects due to drug use could not be observed. For heavy users of cannabis, THC was detectable in 8 samples, and in 5 cases both biologically active compounds, THC and 11-hydroxy-THC, were present (1.3-6.4 ng THC/mL serum, 0.5-2.4 ng 11-hydroxy-THC/mL serum). Among moderate users, in 1 sample 1.8 ng THC/mL serum and 1.3 ng 11-hydroxy-THC/mL serum were determined, and another sample was tested positive with low concentrations close to the limit of detection. In serum samples of light users both analytes could not be detected, indicating that in those persons a positive finding of THC and 11-hydroxy-THC may rather result from recent consumption than from cannabis use 1 or 2 days prior to blood sampling. The concentrations of THC-COOH and its glucuronide covered a wide range in all groups of cannabis users. However, there was a trend to higher concentrations in heavy users compared to moderate users, and the mean concentration was smaller in light smokers than in moderate smokers. Overall, the findings indicated that data from pharmacokinetic studies should be supplemented by data obtained from "real-life" samples.