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Lee-Pii K, DeBeck K, Choi J, Sedgemore KO, Kerr T, Kennedy MC. Characterizing Use of Supervised Consumption Services among Street-involved Youth and Young Adults in the Context of an Overdose Crisis. J Urban Health 2024; 101:233-244. [PMID: 38536600 PMCID: PMC11052733 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
In response to an increase in overdose deaths, there was a rapid scale-up of supervised consumption services (SCS), including federally sanctioned SCS and low-barrier SCS known as overdose prevention sites (OPS), in Vancouver, Canada, beginning in December 2016. However, little is known about the use of such services among adolescents and young adults (AYA) in this context. We therefore sought to characterize factors associated with the use of federally sanctioned SCS and OPS among street-involved AYA who inject drugs in Vancouver during an overdose crisis. From December 2016 to March 2020, data were collected from a prospective cohort of street-involved AYA aged 14 to 26 at baseline. Using multivariable generalized estimating equation analyses, we identified factors associated with recent use of federally sanctioned SCS and OPS, respectively. Among 298 AYA who inject drugs, 172 (57.8%) and 149 (50.0%) reported using federally sanctioned SCS and OPS during the study period, respectively. In multivariable analyses, public injecting, negative police interactions, and residing or spending time ≥ weekly in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood were all positively associated with the use of federally sanctioned SCS and OPS, respectively. Additionally, ≥ daily unregulated opioid use and residential eviction were positively associated with federally sanctioned SCS use, while requiring help injecting was inversely associated. Self-identified female or non-binary gender was also positively associated with OPS use (all p < 0.05). Both federally sanctioned SCS and OPS successfully engaged AYA at heightened risk of adverse health outcomes. However, the lack of accommodation of AYA who require manual assistance with injecting at federally sanctioned SCS may be inhibiting service engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera Lee-Pii
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Suite 3271, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5K3, Canada
| | - JinCheol Choi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Kali-Olt Sedgemore
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- 'Namgis First Nation, Alert Bay, BC, Canada
- Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia - Okanagan, 611-1628 Dickson Ave, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9X1, Canada.
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Gubskaya E, Kennedy MC, Hayashi K, Cui Z, Milloy MJ, Kerr T. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to supervised consumption programs. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2023; 18:16. [PMID: 36899417 PMCID: PMC9999333 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00521-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supervised consumption sites (SCS) and overdose prevention sites (OPS) have been increasingly implemented in response to the ongoing overdose epidemic in Canada. Although there has been a dramatic increase in overdose deaths since the start of the SARS-CoV 2 (COVID-19) pandemic, little is known about how SCS access may have been affected by this pandemic. Therefore, we sought to characterize potential changes in access to SCS during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Between June and December 2020, data were collected through the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS) and the AIDS Care Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), two cohort studies involving people who use drugs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine individual, social and structural factors associated with self-reported reduced frequency of SCS/OPS use since COVID-19. RESULTS Among 428 participants, 223 (54.7%) self-identified as male. Among all individuals surveyed, 63 (14.8%) reported a decreased frequency of use of SCS/OPS since COVID-19. However, 281 (66%) reported that they "did not want to" access SCS in the last 6 months. In multivariable analyses, younger age, self-reported fentanyl contamination of drugs used and reduced ease of access to SCS/OPS since COVID-19 were positively associated with a decreased frequency of use of SCS/OPS since COVID-19 (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Approximately 15% of PWUD who accessed SCS/OPS reported reduced use of these programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those at heightened risk of overdose due to fentanyl exposure. Given the ongoing overdose epidemic, efforts must be made to remove barriers to SCS access throughout public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emili Gubskaya
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia Okanagan, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
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Briand Madrid L, Donadille C, Célerier I, Gutowski M, Grelli N, Maradan G, Jauffret-Roustide M, Lalanne L, Auriacombe M, Roux P. [Drug Consumption Rooms : Opinion and willingness among people who inject drugs in Marseille, France]. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 2023; 71:101421. [PMID: 36571957 DOI: 10.1016/j.respe.2022.101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In France, people who inject drugs (PWID) are still one of the most at risk population for contracting hepatitis C virus (HCV). Drug consumption rooms (DCR) have shown their effectiveness on HCV risk behaviors abroad and in France, where they have been recently evaluated with the COSINUS study. In France, two DCRs opened in 2016, one in Paris and another in Strasbourg. The objective of this sub-analysis was to explore the willingness to use a DCR in PWID living in Marseille, where no DCR is opened. METHODS The COSINUS study is a prospective multicenter cohort that included 665 PWID recruited in Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris and Strasbourg between 2016 and 2019. Investigators administered questionnaires face-to-face at regular intervals at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. In Marseille, 199 PWID were recruited. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to assess factors associated with willingness to use DCR among this population. RESULTS Among 545 observations corresponding to 195 distinct participants selected for analyses, 57% declared they were willing to attend a DCR. The main reason given was "to consume more cleanly". Receiving allowances (OR = 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI) (95% CI) = 1.17-4.81), not having health insurance (OR = 3.61; 95% CI = 1.49-8.75), injecting daily (OR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.05-3.70) and in a public space (OR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.29-5.47) were all positively associated with willingness to use a DCR. CONCLUSIONS DCR are devices that target PWID exposed to high sanitary or social risks, i.e. people living in precarious conditions, who have to inject in public spaces, in deleterious sanitary environments and with rapid gestures in order not to be seen. These analyzes highlight that the people who most want to attend a DCR are aware of the harms associated with their practices and show a desire to seek protection from street-based drug scenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Briand Madrid
- Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France.
| | - C Donadille
- Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - N Grelli
- Nouvelle Aube, Marseille, France
| | - G Maradan
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - M Jauffret-Roustide
- British Columbia Center on Substance Use (BCCSU), Vancouver, Canada; Baldy Center on Law and Social Policy, Buffalo University, New York, USA; Centre d'étude des mouvements sociaux, Inserm U1276/CNRS UMR 8044/EHESS, Paris, France
| | - L Lalanne
- Inserm 1114, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Fédération de médecine translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), 67000 Strasbourg, France; Department of Addictology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Fédération de médecine translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - M Auriacombe
- Bordeaux University, SANPSY, CNRS UMR 6033, Bordeaux, France; Addiction Clinic (Pôle interétablissement d'addictologie), CHU Bordeaux and CH Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France
| | - P Roux
- Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
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Cassie R, Hayashi K, DeBeck K, Milloy MJ, Cui Z, Strike C, West J, Kennedy MC. Difficulty accessing supervised consumption services during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:126. [PMID: 36401299 PMCID: PMC9675060 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00712-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overdose crisis in Canada has worsened since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this trend is thought to be driven in part by closures or reduced capacity of supervised consumption services (SCS), little is known about the factors that may impede access to such services during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs. This study sought to characterize the prevalence and correlates of having difficulty accessing SCS during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Cross-sectional data from two open prospective cohorts of people who use drugs were collected via phone or videoconferencing interviews conducted between July 2020 and November 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with experiencing difficulty accessing SCS. RESULTS Among the 428 people who use drugs who participated in the study, 223 (54.7%) self-identified as men and the median age was 51 years (1st to 3rd quartile: 42-58). A total of 58 (13.6%) participants reported experiencing difficulty accessing SCS. In a multivariable analysis, factors positively associated with difficulty accessing SCS included daily crystal methamphetamine use (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-5.30), active injection drug use (AOR = 4.06; 95% CI 1.38-11.90), recent non-fatal overdose (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI 1.24-4.85), and unstable housing (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.08-4.23). Age was inversely associated with the outcome (AOR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99) in multivariable analyses. The most commonly reported reasons for experiencing difficulty accessing SCS were: COVID-19-related site closure or shortened hours (42.9%) and having to wait too long to use a site (39.3%). CONCLUSIONS We found that people who use drugs with markers of structural vulnerability and drug-related risk were more likely to experience difficulty accessing SCS during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings point to the need for strategies to support access to such services as part of pandemic response efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Cassie
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XSchool of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9 Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - M.-J. Milloy
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Carol Strike
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada ,grid.415502.7La Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria St., Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Jeff West
- grid.498786.c0000 0001 0505 0734Vancouver Coastal Health, 828 W 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L8 Canada
| | - Mary Clare Kennedy
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Social Work, University of British Columbia - Okanagan, 1147 Research Road (ARTS Building), Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7 Canada
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Between zero risk and harm reduction: An ethnography of Montreal supervised injection services as a public policy instrument. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 104:103694. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Kennedy MC, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ, Compton M, Kerr T. Health impacts of a scale-up of supervised injection services in a Canadian setting: an interrupted time series analysis. Addiction 2022; 117:986-997. [PMID: 34854162 PMCID: PMC8904318 DOI: 10.1111/add.15717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In response to a dramatic rise in overdose deaths due to injection drug use, there was a rapid scale-up of low-threshold supervised injection services (SIS), termed 'overdose prevention sites' (OPS), in Vancouver, Canada in December 2016. We measured the potential impact of this intervention on SIS use and related health outcomes among people who inject drugs (PWID). DESIGN Segmented regression analyses of interrupted time series data from two community-recruited prospective cohorts of PWID from January 2015 to November 2018 were used to measure the impact of the OPS scale-up on changes in SIS use, public injection, syringe sharing and addiction treatment participation, controlling for pre-existing secular trends. SETTING Vancouver, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Of 745 PWID, 292 (39.7%) were women, 441 (59.6%) self-reported white ancestry and the median age was 47 years (interquartile range = 38, 53) at baseline. MEASUREMENTS Immediate (i.e. step level) and gradual (i.e. slope) changes in the monthly proportion of participants who self-reported past 6-month SIS use, public injection, syringe sharing and participation in any form of addiction treatment. FINDINGS Post OPS expansion, the monthly prevalence of SIS use immediately increased by an estimated 6.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7, 11.2] and subsequently further increased by an estimated 0.7% (95% CI = 0.3, 1.1) per month. The monthly prevalence of addiction treatment participation immediately increased by an estimated 4.5% (95% CI = 0.5, 8.5) following the OPS expansion, while public injection and syringe sharing were estimated to immediately decrease by 5.5% (95% CI = 0.9, 10.0) and 2.5% (95% CI = 0.5, 4.6), respectively. Findings were inconclusive as to whether or not an association was present between the intervention and subsequent gradual changes in public injection, syringe sharing and addiction treatment participation. CONCLUSIONS Scaling-up overdose prevention sites in Vancouver, Canada in December 2016 was associated with immediate and continued gradual increases in supervised injection service engagement and immediate increases in related health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Tran V, Reid SE, Roxburgh A, Day CA. Assessing Drug Consumption Rooms and Longer Term (5 Year) Impacts on Community and Clients. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021; 14:4639-4647. [PMID: 34815725 PMCID: PMC8604650 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s244720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug consumption rooms (DCRs) and supervised injecting facilities (SIFs) provide a safe environment in which people who inject drugs (PWIDs) can inject under hygienic and supervised conditions. Numerous reviews have documented the benefits of these facilities; however, there is a lack of clarity surrounding their long-term effects. PURPOSE To conduct, with a systematic approach, a literature review, of published peer-reviewed literature assessing the long-term impacts of DCRs/SIFs. METHODS A systematic search of the PubMed and Embase database was performed using the keywords: ("SUPERVISED" OR "SAFE*") AND ("CONSUMPTION" OR "INJECT*" OR "SHOOTING") AND ("FACILITY*" OR "ROOM*" OR "GALLERY*" OR "CENTRE*" OR "CENTER*" OR "SITE*"). Included studies were original articles reporting outcomes for five or more years and addressed at least one of the following client or community outcomes; (i) drug-related harms; (ii) access to substance use treatment and other health services; (iii) impact on local PWID population; (iv) impact on public drug use, drug-related crime and violence; and (v) local community attitudes to DCRs. RESULTS Four publications met our inclusion criteria, addressing four of the five outcomes. Long-term data suggested that while the health of PWID naturally declined over time, DCRs/SIFs helped reduce injecting-related harms. The studies showed that DCRs/SIFs facilitate drug treatment, access to health services and cessation of drug injecting. Local residents and business owners reported less public drug use and public syringe disposal following the opening of a DCR/SIF. CONCLUSION Long-term evidence on DCRs/SIFs is consistent with established short-term research demonstrating the benefits of these facilities. A relative paucity of studies was identified, with most evidence originating from Sydney and Vancouver. The overall body of evidence would be improved by future studies following outcomes over longer periods and being undertaken in a variety of jurisdictions and models of DCRs/SIFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Tran
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sharon E Reid
- Edith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda Roxburgh
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carolyn A Day
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Edith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Kennedy MC, Milloy MJ, Hayashi K, Holliday E, Wood E, Kerr T. Assisted injection within supervised injection services: Uptake and client characteristics among people who require help injecting in a Canadian setting. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 86:102967. [PMID: 33039705 PMCID: PMC8026755 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who require help injecting illicit drugs experience elevated rates of a range of health-related harms, including overdose and acquisition of blood-borne pathogens. In response, some supervised injection services (SIS) in Canada have begun to permit clients to be physically injected by fellow clients or staff members. However, little is known about uptake and characteristics of clients who engage in this practice. We therefore sought to examine factors associated with receiving injection assistance at SIS among people who require help injecting drugs in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Data were drawn from two community-recruited prospective cohort studies of people who inject drugs (PWID). We used multivariable generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses with time-updated covariates to identify factors associated with self-reported receipt of injection assistance at SIS. RESULTS Between June 2017 and December 2018, 319 individuals who reported having recently required help injecting were included in the study. Of these, 160 (51.0%) were women and the median age was 42 years at baseline. In total, 54 (16.9%) participants reported receiving injection assistance at a SIS at least once over an average of 3.3 months of follow-up. In multivariable GEE analyses, recent homelessness (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13 - 3.66), fentanyl injection (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.42 - 8.41), non-fatal overdose (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.02 - 3.38) and enrolment in methadone maintenance therapy (AOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.03 - 3.47) were associated with increased odds of receiving injection assistance at SIS. CONCLUSION Although uptake of assisted injection at SIS was relatively low among this sample of people who require help injecting, this practice was associated with several indicators of structural vulnerability and drug-related risk. These findings suggest that accommodating assisted injection within SIS may be providing opportunities to engage and reduce harms among higher-risk subpopulations of PWID in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6.
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 2A9; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CANADA, V5A 1S6
| | - Elizabeth Holliday
- Vancouver Coastal Health, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA V5Z 1M9
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
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9
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Kennedy MC, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ, Boyd J, Wood E, Kerr T. Supervised injection facility use and exposure to violence among a cohort of people who inject drugs: A gender-based analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 78:102692. [PMID: 32200269 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) have been established in many settings, in part to reduce risks associated with injecting in public, including exposure to violence. However, the relationship between SIF use and experiencing violence has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. We sought to longitudinally examine the gender-specific relationship between SIF use and exposure to violence among people who inject drugs (PWID) in a Canadian setting. METHODS Data were drawn from two prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2005 and December 2016. Semi-annually, participants completed questionnaires that elicited data concerning sociodemographic characteristics, behavioural patterns, violent encounters and health service utilization. We used multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE) to estimate the independent association between exclusively injecting drugs at a SIF and experiencing physical or sexual violence among men and women PWID, respectively. RESULTS Of 1930 PWID followed for a median of four years, 679 (35.2%) were women and the median age was 41 years at baseline. In total, 353 (52.0%) women and 694 (55.5%) men reported experiencing at least one incident of violence during follow-up. In multivariable analyses, exclusive SIF use was associated with decreased odds of experiencing violence among men after adjusting for potential confounders (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.89). Exclusive SIF use was not significantly associated with experiencing violence among women in adjusted analyses (AOR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.57-1.66). CONCLUSION In light of the recent expansion of SIFs in Canada, our finding of a protective association between exclusive SIF use and exposure to violence among men is encouraging. The fact that we did not observe a significant association between SIF use and experiencing violence among women highlights the need for social-structural interventions that are more responsive to the specific needs of women PWID in relation to violence prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada.
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
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Factors Associated With the Use of Supervised Consumption Facilities Among Women Who Inject Drugs in a Canadian Setting. J Addict Med 2020; 14:e226-e232. [PMID: 32142059 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supervised consumption facilities (SCFs) are evidence-based harm reduction interventions that have been shown to reduce the risk of social and health-related harms associated with injection drug use. Previous qualitative studies have highlighted important motivations for SCF use among women who use drugs. However, factors associated with SCF use among women have not previously been evaluated. METHODS Data were obtained from 2 longitudinal community-recruited cohorts of people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada between 2003 and 2017. Multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to calculate the odds of SCF use associated with social and structural risk factors for drug-related harm among women who reported injection drug use in the preceding 6-months. RESULTS A total of 795 participants were included in the study, contributing to 6302 interviews, with 602 participants (76%) reporting SCF use in at least one interview. Multivariable analysis demonstrated daily heroin and crystal methamphetamine injection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.32 and 1.65, respectively), injecting in public (AOR = 1.77), binge injection (AOR = 1.22) and lack of housing (AOR = 1.74) to be associated with SCF use. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrates higher intensity patterns of drug use, including daily heroin and crystal methamphetamine injection, injecting in public and binge injection, as well as homelessness to be associated with SCF use among women. Future research should identify barriers to SCF use among women to minimize the risk of overdose and other drug-related harms.
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Supervised injection facility use and all-cause mortality among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada: A cohort study. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002964. [PMID: 31770391 PMCID: PMC6879115 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) experience elevated rates of premature mortality. Although previous studies have demonstrated the role of supervised injection facilities (SIFs) in reducing various harms associated with injection drug use, including accidental overdose death, the possible impact of SIF use on all-cause mortality is unknown. Therefore, we examined the relationship between frequent SIF use and all-cause mortality among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS AND FINDINGS Data were derived from 2 prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2006 and June 2017. Every 6 months, participants completed questionnaires that elicited information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, substance use patterns, social-structural exposures, and use of health services including SIFs. These data were confidentially linked to the provincial vital statistics database to ascertain mortality rates and causes of death. We used multivariable extended Cox regression analyses to estimate the independent association between frequent (i.e., at least weekly) SIF use and all-cause mortality. Of 811 participants, 278 (34.3%) were women, and the median age was 39 years (IQR 33-46) at baseline. In total, 432 (53.3%) participants reported frequent SIF use at baseline, and 379 (46.7%) did not. At baseline, frequent SIF users were on average younger than nonfrequent users, and a higher proportion of frequent SIF users than nonfrequent users were unstably housed, resided in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, injected in public, had a recent non-fatal overdose, used prescription opioids at least daily, injected heroin at least daily, injected cocaine at least daily, and injected crystal methamphetamine at least daily. A lower proportion of frequent SIF users than nonfrequent users were HIV positive and enrolled in addiction treatment at baseline. The median duration of follow-up among study participants was 72 months (IQR 24-123). In total, 112 participants (13.8%) died during the study period, yielding a crude mortality rate of 22.7 (95% CI 18.7-27.4) deaths per 1,000 person-years. The median years of potential life lost per death was 34 (IQR 27-42) years. In a time-updated multivariable model, frequent SIF use was inversely associated with risk of all-cause mortality after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, HIV seropositivity, unstable housing, at least daily cocaine injection, public injection, incarceration, enrolment in addiction treatment, and calendar year of interview (adjusted hazard ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.26-0.80, p = 0.006). The main study limitations are the limited generalizability of findings due to non-random sampling, the potential for reporting biases due to reliance on some self-reported information, and the possibility that residual confounding influenced findings. CONCLUSIONS We observed a high burden of premature mortality among a community-recruited cohort of PWID. Frequent SIF use was associated with a lower risk of death, independent of relevant confounders. These findings support efforts to enhance access to SIFs as a strategy to reduce mortality among PWID. Further analyses of individual-level data are needed to determine estimates of, and potential causal pathways underlying, associations between SIF use and specific causes of death.
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