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Fox AD, Riback L, Perez-Correa A, Ohlendorf E, Ghiroli M, Behrends CN, López-Castro T. High Interest in Injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment With Hydromorphone Among Urban Syringe Service Program Participants. Subst Use Addctn J 2024; 45:44-53. [PMID: 38258851 DOI: 10.1177/29767342231210552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injectable opioid agonist treatment with hydromorphone (iOAT-H) is effective for persons who inject drugs (PWID) with opioid use disorder (OUD) but remains unavailable in the United States. Our objective was to determine interest in iOAT-H among syringe services program (SSP) participants. METHODS We recruited PWID with OUD from SSPs in New York City. Interest in iOAT-H was assessed on a 4-point scale. We compared participants who were and were not interested in iOAT-H regarding sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported variables (past 30 days): heroin use, public injection practices, and participation in illegal activity other than drug possession. Participants reported their preferred OUD treatment and reasons for these preferences. RESULTS Of 108 participants, most were male (69%), Hispanic (68%), and median age was 42 years. The median number of prior OUD treatment episodes was 6 (interquartile range: 2-12). Most (65%) were interested in iOAT-H. Interested participants (vs not interested) reported, over the prior 30 days, greater heroin use days (mean, 26.4 vs 22.3), injecting in public more times (median, 15 vs 6), and a higher percentage having participated in illegal activity (40% vs 16%). Preferences for OUD treatment were: iOAT-H (43%), methadone (39%), and buprenorphine (9%). Participants who preferred iOAT-H to conventional OUD treatments reported preferring injection as a route of administration and that available OUD treatments helped them insufficiently. CONCLUSIONS SSP participants with OUD reported high interest in iOAT-H. Participants had attempted conventional treatments but still used heroin almost daily. We identified PWID at risk for opioid-related harms who potentially could benefit from iOAT-H.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D Fox
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Lindsey Riback
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Andres Perez-Correa
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Megan Ghiroli
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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Eshrati S, Saberizafarghandi M, Vameghi M, Arezoomandan R, Ranjbar H, Clausen T, Waal H. Main problems experienced by the neighbors of open drug scenes, Tehran, Iran: a mixed-method study. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:148. [PMID: 37845767 PMCID: PMC10578028 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite law enforcement and health interventions, open drug scenes have led to problems in many countries. The problems are, however, insufficiently explored. There are different types of drug scenes in Iran. This study aimed to explore the issues related to neighbors of one of the drug scenes in Tehran known as Farahzad. METHODS Data were generated via semi-structured interviews in the first step of the current mixed-method study (2020-2021). Interviewees were people who use drugs (PWUDs), residents and business owners (N = 25). In the next step, a quantitative observation was conducted for eight days. The results were analyzed using conventional content analysis and descriptive statistics. RESULTS The perceived problems were ambivalent attitudes about drug scene-related activities, violate of the territory of the self of the effected residents, and everyday concerns. The observation results indicated that men who use drugs are involved in drug scene-related activities more than women are. PWUDs try to hide their activities from the public view. Their efforts were considered "self-regulatory strategies" in the drug scene. CONCLUSIONS Despite efforts of PWUDs to keep their activities invisible, drug scene-related issues are intolerable for neighbors. Neighbors and PWUDs have ambivalent attitudes. While they are concerned about the human rights of each other, drug scene-related activities have disturbed the neighbor's daily life and economic activities. Although law enforcement and harm reduction interventions reduce some of the problems, one of the approaches should be improving the coexistence between the neighbors and the residents of the drug scene to achieve broader and more sustainable compromises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Eshrati
- Department of Addiction, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Mansouri St, Niayesh St, Sattarkhan Ave, Tehran, Iran
| | - MohammadBagher Saberizafarghandi
- Department of Addiction, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Mansouri St, Niayesh St, Sattarkhan Ave, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Meroe Vameghi
- Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Arezoomandan
- Department of Addiction, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Mansouri St, Niayesh St, Sattarkhan Ave, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Ranjbar
- Mental Health Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Thomas Clausen
- Norwegian Center for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institution of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkveien 166, Bygg 45, 0450, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Waal
- Norwegian Center for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institution of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkveien 166, Bygg 45, 0450, Oslo, Norway
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Høj SB, Minoyan N, Zang G, Larney S, Bruneau J. Gender, sexual orientation identity, and initiation of amphetamine injecting among people who inject drugs: Examination of an expanding drug era in Montreal, Canada, 2011-19. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 251:110956. [PMID: 37716286 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amphetamine injection is expanding in North America and has been associated with male homosexuality among people who inject drugs (PWID). Applying subcultural evolution theory, we examined overall and gender-stratified trends in amphetamine injection and assessed sexual orientation as a gender-specific predictor of initiation among PWID in Montreal, Canada. METHODS Data were from HEPCO, an open prospective cohort of PWID. Gender and sexual orientation were self-identified at enrolment. Interviewer-administered questionnaires at three-monthly (HCV RNA-negative participants) or yearly (RNA-positive) intervals captured past three-month amphetamine injection and covariates. Annual prevalence and linear trends in amphetamine injection were estimated using GEE. Incidence was computed among naïve individuals and hazard ratios for initiation estimated using gender-stratified, time-varying Cox regression models. RESULTS 803 participants contributed 8096 observations between March 2011 and December 2019. Annual prevalence of amphetamine injecting increased from 3.25% [95%CI: 2.06-4.43%] to 12.7% [9.50-16.0] (trend p<0.001). Bivariate Cox regression models suggested similar and divergent predictors of initiation by gender. Incidence was 3.27 per 100 person-years [95%CI: 2.51-4.18] among heterosexual men, 7.18 [3.50-13.2] among gay/bisexual men, 1.93 [0.78-4.02] among heterosexual women and 5.30 [1.69-12.8] among gay/bisexual women. Among men, gay/bisexual identity doubled risk of initiation after adjusting for age, ethnicity, calendar year (aHR 2.16 [1.07-4.36]) and additional covariates (2.56 [1.24-5.30]). Among women, evidence for an association with gay/bisexual identity was inconclusive (aHR 2.63 [0.62-11.2]) and sample size precluded further adjustment CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of amphetamine injection among PWID increased four-fold from 2011 to 2019, with elevated risk of initiation in gay and bisexual men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Bordier Høj
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montreal H2X 0A9, Canada.
| | - Nanor Minoyan
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montreal H2X 0A9, Canada; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Geng Zang
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montreal H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Sarah Larney
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montreal H2X 0A9, Canada; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montreal H2X 0A9, Canada; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada.
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Kristensen K, Williams LD, Kaplan C, Pineros J, Lee E, Kaufmann M, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Boodram B. A Novel Index Measure of Housing-related Risk as a Predictor of Overdose among Young People Who Inject Drugs and Injection Networks. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3083889. [PMID: 37461549 PMCID: PMC10350242 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3083889/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Background For people who inject drugs (PWID), housing instability due to decreasing housing affordability and other factors (e.g., loss of housing due to severed relational ties, evictions due to drug use) results in added pressure on an already vulnerable population. Research has shown that housing instability is associated with overdose risk among PWID. However, the construct of housing instability has often been operationalized as a single dimension (e.g., housing type, homelessness, transience). We propose a multi-dimensional measure of housing instability risk and examine its association with drug overdose to promote a more holistic examination of housing status as a predictor of overdose. Methods The baseline data from a network-based, longitudinal study of young PWID and their networks living in metropolitan Chicago, Illinois was analyzed to examine the relationship between a housing instability risk index-consisting of five dichotomous variables assessing housing instability-and lifetime overdose count using negative binomial regression. Results We found a significant positive association between the housing instability risk score and lifetime overdose count after adjusting for 12 variables. Conclusions Our results support the practical utility of a multi-dimensional measure of housing instability risk in predicting overdose and highlight the importance of taking a holistic approach to addressing housing instability when designing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eunhye Lee
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Armoon B, Griffiths MD, Bayani A, Mohammadi R, Ahounbar E. Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:42. [PMID: 35927753 PMCID: PMC9351099 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As a public health issue, non-fatal overdose (NFOD) is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs (PWID). This can lead to an elevated risk of future overdose, causing various harms including possible death. It is essential to improve knowledge concerning this problem and its associated risk factors to inform overdose prevention and assistance programs. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of NFOD and associated risk factors among PWID in Saveh, Iran. Methods In the present cross-sectional study, 272 PWID living in Saveh, Iran were interviewed face-to-face using a structured survey. Data concerning socio-demographics, substance use, risky behaviors, and services utilization data were collected. The outcome variable (i.e., NFOD) was assessed by answering “Yes” to the question: “In the past three months, have you ever overdosed (at least once) by accident?” Results The prevalence of NFOD among PWID in the past three months was 54%. The characteristics and behaviors that were associated with an increased risk of experiencing NFOD in the past three months were being of older age (AOR = 5.2, p < 0.05), drug use initiation under the age of 22 years (AOR = 7.8, p < 0.05), being an alcohol user (AOR = 3.0, p < 0.05), and being a simultaneous multiple drug user (AOR = 5.8, p < 0.05). Also, more recent initiates to injecting (< 2 years) had an increased risk of experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the past three months. Findings also indicated that those who (i) attended a needle and syringe program (AOR: 0.3, p < 0.05), (ii) were visited by a general practitioner (AOR: 0.03, p < 0.05), and (iii) received a psychosocial intervention (AOR: 0.1, p < 0.05) were 0.3, 0.03 and 0.1 times less likely to report non-fatal overdosing than other participants, respectively. Conclusions The results indicate that intervention and prevention initiatives seeking to reduce NFOD among PWID should not only be focused on the primary drug used but also the use of alcohol and polysubstance use. Specific and tailored psychological interventions combined with pharmacotherapy may be highly beneficial for PWID who experience more severe types of substance use, including alcohol use disorders and/or polysubstance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran. .,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti Blvd, Shahid Fahmideh Blvd, 4th floor, Saveh, Markazi Province, Iran.
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Elaheh Ahounbar
- Orygen, The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Center for Youth Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Saberi Zafarghandi MB, Eshrati S, Rashedi V, Vameghi M, Arezoomandan R, Clausen T, Waal H. Indicators of Drug-Related Community Impacts of Open Drug Scenes: A Scoping Review. Eur Addict Res 2022; 28:87-102. [PMID: 34794145 DOI: 10.1159/000519886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Places where people deal and/or use drugs publicly are known as open drug scenes (ODSs). Drug-related community impacts (DRCIs) refer to drug-related issues that negatively influence public and individual health, communities, businesses, and recreational and public space enjoyment. There are no well-established criteria for identification of DRCIs. We therefore performed a scoping review of literature to determine DRCIs indicators associated with ODSs. METHODS The review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScP). We searched English articles in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases from 1990 to 2021. The keywords were drug-related crime, drug-related offense, misconduct, social marginalization, homeless drug users, open drug scene, drug-related street disorder, public nuisance, and community impact. RESULTS Sixty-four studies were identified. Twenty-five studies were included. Two studies (8%) were about drug-related public nuisance, 1 (4%) considered drug-related social problems, 2 (8%) focused on drug-related social disorder, and 18 studies (72%) discussed indicators of community impacts such as crime, drug-related litter, safety, noise, and drug use in public. Two studies (8%) included the frequency of drug use in ODSs. DISCUSSION DRCI indicators are heterogenic, and various factors affect the indicators. The factors include social mores, political discourse, and historical approaches to dealing with and using drugs. Some societies do not tolerate the existence of ODSs. In contrast, many countries have adopted harm reduction programs to manage DRCIs. Identified DRCI indicators were drug using and dealing in public, drug-related litter, crime, drug-related loitering, street-based income generation activities, noise, and unsafety feelings in inhabitants. To solve the problems associated with DRCIs and to make a major change in ODSs, it is necessary to pay attention to the improvement of the economic conditions (e.g., employment opportunities), amendment (e.g., determine the limits of criminalization in drug use), and adoption of social policies (e.g., providing low-threshold and supportive services for homeless drug users).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bagher Saberi Zafarghandi
- Addiction Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Eshrati
- Addiction Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Rashedi
- School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meroe Vameghi
- Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Arezoomandan
- Addiction Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Thomas Clausen
- Norwegian Center for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institution of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Waal
- Norwegian Center for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institution of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sondhi A, Leidi A, Gilbert E. A Small Area Estimation Method for Investigating the Relationship between Public Perception of Drug Problems with Neighborhood Prognostics: Trends in London between 2012 and 2019. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18179016. [PMID: 34501603 PMCID: PMC8430465 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The correlation of the public’s perception of drug problems with neighborhood characteristics has rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that correlate with public perceptions in London boroughs using the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) Public Attitude Survey between 2012 and 2019. A subject-specific random effect deploying a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) using an Adaptive Gaussian Quadrature method with 10 integration points was applied. To obtain time trends across inner and outer London areas, the GLMM was fitted using a Restricted Marginal Pseudo Likelihood method. The perception of drug problems increased with statistical significance in 17 out of 32 London boroughs between 2012 and 2019. These boroughs were geographically clustered across the north of London. Levels of deprivation, as measured by the English Index of Multiple Deprivation, as well as the percentage of local population who were non-UK-born and recorded vehicle crime rates were shown to be positively associated with the public’s perception of drug problems. Conversely, recorded burglary rate was negatively associated with the public’s perception of drug problems in their area. The public are influenced in their perception of drug problems by neighborhood factors including deprivation and visible manifestations of antisocial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Sondhi
- Therapeutic Solutions (Addictions), London W1K 1QW, UK
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Emily Gilbert
- Evidence and Insight, London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, London SE1 2AA, UK;
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Marks C, Bouck Z, Jain S, Sun X, Strathdee SA, Vickerman P, DeBeck K, Milloy MJ, Hayashi K, Werb D. The impact of recent homelessness on the provision of injection drug use initiation assistance among persons who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico and Vancouver, Canada. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 225:108829. [PMID: 34237582 PMCID: PMC8827172 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between experiencing homelessness and assisting injection drug use (IDU) initiation among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tijuana, Mexico and Vancouver, Canada. METHODS We used self-reported questionnaire data collected semi-annually on PWID from Tijuana (n = 703) and Vancouver (n = 1551) between 2014 and 2017. Within each setting, the effect of recent (i.e., past six months) homelessness on recent provision of injection initiation assistance (i.e., helping anybody inject for the first time in the past six months) was estimated using inverse-probability-of-treatment (IPT)-weighted estimation of a marginal structural model. RESULTS Across follow-up, the prevalence of recent homelessness at a given visit ranged from 11.6%-16.5% among Tijuana-based participants and 9.4%-18.9% among Vancouver-based participants; the prevalence of recent provision of injection initiation at a given follow-up visit was lower, ranging from 3.3%-5.4% in Tijuana and 2.5%-4.1% in Vancouver. Based on the IPT-weighted estimates, recent homelessness was associated with 66% greater odds among Tijuana-based PWID (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.01-2.73) and 47% greater odds among Vancouver-based PWID (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.02-2.13) of providing injection initiation assistance over the same six-month period. CONCLUSION We found that recently experiencing homelessness was associated with an increased likelihood of PWID reporting IDU initiation assistance over time in both Tijuana and Vancouver. Addressing homelessness may decrease the initiation of IDU via multiple pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Marks
- Joint Doctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Research on Substance Use, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Zachary Bouck
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sonia Jain
- Biostatistics Research Center, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Xiaoying Sun
- Biostatistics Research Center, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Steffanie A. Strathdee
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kora DeBeck
- School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Dan Werb
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, United States; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Armoon B, SoleimanvandiAzar N, Rostami M, Higgs P, Bayani A, Bayat AH, Mohammadi R, Ahounbar E, Fattah Moghaddam L. Drug type and risk behaviors associated with non-fatal overdose among people who use drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Addict Dis 2021; 40:114-125. [PMID: 34286664 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2021.1950262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the association between drug type, risk behaviors and non-fatal overdose among people who use drugs (PWUD). We searched for studies in English published before February 1, 2021, on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science to identify primary studies on the factors associated with non-fatal overdose among PWUD. After reviewing for study duplicates, the full-text of selected articles were assessed for eligibility using Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes (PICO) criteria. After a detailed assessment of over 13,845 articles, a total of 49 studies met the eligibility criteria. We found that non-injection opioid use, heroin injection, cocaine use, concurrent use of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine use, incarceration, injecting drugs, and duration of injecting were associated with greater odds of non-fatal overdose among PWUD. The findings of the current meta-analysis support the requirement to improve suitable harm reduction strategies for drug users, such as peer-based overdose management, and further focusing on the need to balance the current emphasis on enforcement-based responses to illegal drug use with health-related interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Neda SoleimanvandiAzar
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rostami
- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Peter Higgs
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Amir-Hossein Bayat
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Elahe Ahounbar
- Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, The University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ladan Fattah Moghaddam
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Arum C, Fraser H, Artenie AA, Bivegete S, Trickey A, Alary M, Astemborski J, Iversen J, Lim AG, MacGregor L, Morris M, Ong JJ, Platt L, Sack-Davis R, van Santen DK, Solomon SS, Sypsa V, Valencia J, Van Den Boom W, Walker JG, Ward Z, Stone J, Vickerman P. Homelessness, unstable housing, and risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus acquisition among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health 2021; 6:e309-e323. [PMID: 33780656 PMCID: PMC8097637 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and also have high levels of homelessness and unstable housing. We assessed whether homelessness or unstable housing is associated with an increased risk of HIV or HCV acquisition among PWID compared with PWID who are not homeless or are stably housed. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we updated an existing database of HIV and HCV incidence studies published between Jan 1, 2000, and June 13, 2017. Using the same strategy as for this existing database, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO for studies, including conference abstracts, published between June 13, 2017, and Sept 14, 2020, that estimated HIV or HCV incidence, or both, among community-recruited PWID. We only included studies reporting original results without restrictions to study design or language. We contacted authors of studies that reported HIV or HCV incidence, or both, but did not report on an association with homelessness or unstable housing, to request crude data and, where possible, adjusted effect estimates. We extracted effect estimates and pooled data using random-effects meta-analyses to quantify the associations between recent (current or within the past year) homelessness or unstable housing compared with not recent homelessness or unstable housing, and risk of HIV or HCV acquisition. We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and between-study heterogeneity using the I2 statistic and p value for heterogeneity. FINDINGS We identified 14 351 references in our database search, of which 392 were subjected to full-text review alongside 277 studies from our existing database. Of these studies, 55 studies met inclusion criteria. We contacted the authors of 227 studies that reported HIV or HCV incidence in PWID but did not report association with the exposure of interest and obtained 48 unpublished estimates from 21 studies. After removal of duplicate data, we included 37 studies with 70 estimates (26 for HIV; 44 for HCV). Studies originated from 16 countries including in North America, Europe, Australia, east Africa, and Asia. Pooling unadjusted estimates, recent homelessness or unstable housing was associated with an increased risk of acquiring HIV (crude relative risk [cRR] 1·55 [95% CI 1·23-1·95; p=0·0002]; I2= 62·7%; n=17) and HCV (1·65 [1·44-1·90; p<0·0001]; I2= 44·8%; n=28]) among PWID compared with those who were not homeless or were stably housed. Associations for both HIV and HCV persisted when pooling adjusted estimates (adjusted relative risk for HIV: 1·39 [95% CI 1·06-1·84; p=0·019]; I2= 65·5%; n=9; and for HCV: 1·64 [1·43-1·89; p<0·0001]; I2= 9·6%; n=14). For risk of HIV acquisition, the association for unstable housing (cRR 1·82 [1·13-2·95; p=0·014]; n=5) was higher than for homelessness (1·44 [1·13-1·83; p=0·0036]; n=12), whereas no difference was seen between these outcomes for risk of HCV acquisition (1·72 [1·48-1·99; p<0·0001] for unstable housing, 1·66 [1·37-2·00; p<0·0001] for homelessness). INTERPRETATION Homelessness and unstable housing are associated with increased risk of HIV and HCV acquisition among PWID. Our findings support the development of interventions that simultaneously address homelessness and unstable housing and HIV and HCV transmission in this population. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiedozie Arum
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Sandra Bivegete
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Adam Trickey
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michel Alary
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Iversen
- Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aaron G Lim
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Louis MacGregor
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Meghan Morris
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jason J Ong
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lucy Platt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rachel Sack-Davis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniela K van Santen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Disease Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sunil S Solomon
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Jorge Valencia
- Harm Reduction Unit "SMASD", Department of Addictions and Mental Health, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Zoe Ward
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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12
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Iversen J, Maher L. Commentary on Hamilton White et al. : Receptive syringe-sharing among people who inject drugs in rural settings. Addiction 2021; 116:337-338. [PMID: 33179307 DOI: 10.1111/add.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Iversen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa Maher
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, Sydney, Australia
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13
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Liu C, Ma YL, Liu XH, Duan YR, Liu PL, Wang X, Yin P. Sociodemographic Factors Associated With HIV/HCV High-Risk Behaviors Among People Who Use Drugs on Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A 10-Year Observational Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:707257. [PMID: 34594250 PMCID: PMC8477022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.707257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Sociodemographic factors have an impact worldwide on the behavior of people who use drugs (PWUD). This study attempts to clarify the sociodemographic factors related to HIV/HCV high-risk behaviors (injection drug use, syringe sharing, and multiple sex partners) among PWUD on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in the long term. Methods: The 13,300 PWUD recruited into the MMT program were followed during 2006-2015. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and HIV/HCV high-risk behaviors. Results: We found that male (vs. female), living alone (vs. living with family or relatives), temporary income, financial support from family/friends, and financial support from social welfare (vs. regular salary) were positively associated with injection drug use. Age of initial drug use was negatively associated with injection drug use and syringe sharing. For both genders, being unmarried (vs. married or in cohabitation), living with friends, living alone (vs. living with family or relatives), temporary income, financial supports from family/friends (vs. regular salary), being employed (vs. unemployed/between jobs) was positively associated. In contrast, age at baseline was negatively associated with having multiple sexual partners for both genders. Ethnic of non-Han (vs. Han) was positively associated with having multiple sexual partners simply for males. Being divorced or widowed (vs. married or cohabitated) was positively associated with having multiple sexual partners merely for females. Conclusion: HIV/HCV high-risk behaviors correlated with certain sociodemographic factors of PWUD receiving MMT. There is a need for improving the well-being, employment, and housing status of PWUD on MMT to reduce their HIV/HCV risk behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Lei Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xue-Han Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan-Ran Duan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pu-Lin Liu
- Wuhan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Wuhan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Yin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Fozouni L, Khan S, Bearnot B. Spatiotemporal Trends in Discarded Needle Reports in San Francisco Over a 10-year Period, 2010-2019. Int J Drug Policy 2020; 87:103018. [PMID: 33142160 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To describe the geographic and spatiotemporal distribution of needle reports in San Francisco, and examine spatial relationships between needle reports and needle disposal boxes, needle disposal kiosks, and homeless shelters. METHODS We conducted multiple geospatial analyses of a crowdsourced database of non-emergency service requests. We describe changes in discarded needle and bulky item reports across San Francisco between 2010 and 2019, and compared changes in the reporting patterns of these items, while 200-meter Euclidean buffers captured needle reports in close proximity to needle deposit boxes, needle deposit kiosks, and homeless shelters in 2019. RESULTS 34,912 needle reports were included. Yearly needle reports increased by 3827.1%, with a markedly different geospatial distribution from bulky item reports. 45.6% of needle reports originated in the five downtown neighborhoods with the highest needle report density, and 33.8% were identified within 200 meters of boxes, kiosks, or homeless shelters. CONCLUSIONS Reports of discarded needles in San Francisco increased dramatically over the last decade, and more than one third of 2019 reports were adjacent to harm reduction and homeless shelter locations. Needle reports provide an opportunity to understand changes in public injection drug use and target harm reduction services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Fozouni
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
| | - Saira Khan
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115 USA
| | - Benjamin Bearnot
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114 USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115 USA.
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15
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Elkhalifa S, Jozaghi E, Marsh S, Thomson E, Gregg D, Buxton J, Jolly A. Social network support and harm reduction activities in a peer researcher-led pilot study, British Columbia, Canada. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:57. [PMID: 32825836 PMCID: PMC7441606 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00401-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People who smoke drugs (PWSD) are at high risk of both infectious disease and overdose. Harm reduction activities organized by their peers in the community can reduce risk by providing education, safer smoking supplies, and facilitate access to other services. Peers also provide a network of people who provide social support to PWSD which may reinforce harm reducing behaviors. We evaluated the numbers of supportive network members and the relationships between received support and participants’ harm-reducing activities. Methods Initial peer-researchers with past or current lived drug use experience were employed from communities in Abbotsford and Vancouver to interview ten friends from their social networks who use illegal drugs mainly through smoking. Contacts completed a questionnaire about people in their own harm reduction networks and their relationships with each other. We categorized social support into informational, emotional, and tangible aspects, and harm reduction into being trained in the use of, or carrying naloxone, assisting peers with overdoses, using brass screens to smoke, obtaining pipes from service organizations and being trained in CPR. Results Fifteen initial peer researchers interviewed 149 participants who provided information on up to 10 people who were friends or contacts and the relationships between them. People who smoked drugs in public were 1.46 (95% CI, 1.13-1.78) more likely to assist others with possible overdoses if they received tangible support; women who received tangible support were 1.24 (95% CI; 1.02-1.45) more likely to carry and be trained in the use of naloxone. There was no relationship between number of supportive network members and harm reduction behaviors. Conclusions In this pilot study, PWSD who received tangible support were more likely to assist peers in possible overdoses and be trained in the use of and/or carry naloxone, than those who did not receive tangible support. Future work on the social relationships of PWSD may prove valuable in the search for credible and effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaf Elkhalifa
- School of Public Health, University of Ottawa, Room 101, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, KIH 8 M5, Canada
| | - Ehsan Jozaghi
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Samona Marsh
- Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1P4, Canada.,British Columbia/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1P4, Canada.,Sex Workers United Against Violence, 334 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1C3, Canada.,Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1P4, Canada
| | - Erica Thomson
- University of Fraser Valley, 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia, V2S 7 M8, Canada.,The Fraser Health Authority, Suite 400, Central City Tower, 13450 - 102nd Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 0H1, Canada
| | - Delilah Gregg
- Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1P4, Canada.,Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1P4, Canada
| | - Jane Buxton
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Ann Jolly
- School of Public Health, University of Ottawa, Room 101, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, KIH 8 M5, Canada.
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16
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Trayner KMA, McAuley A, Palmateer NE, Goldberg DJ, Shepherd SJ, Gunson RN, Tweed EJ, Priyadarshi S, Milosevic C, Hutchinson SJ. Increased risk of HIV and other drug-related harms associated with injecting in public places: national bio-behavioural survey of people who inject drugs. Int J Drug Policy 2020; 77:102663. [PMID: 31981949 PMCID: PMC8330401 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whilst injecting drugs in public places is considered a proxy for high risk behaviour among people who inject drugs (PWID), studies quantifying its relationship with multiple drug-related harms are lacking and none have examined this in the context of an ongoing HIV outbreak (located in Glasgow, Scotland). We aimed to: 1) estimate the prevalence of public injecting in Scotland and associated risk factors; and 2) estimate the association between public injecting and HIV, current HCV, overdose, and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). METHODS Cross-sectional, bio-behavioural survey (including dried blood spot testing to determine HIV and HCV infection) of 1469 current PWID (injected in last 6 months) recruited by independent interviewers from 139 harm reduction services across Scotland during 2017-18. Primary outcomes were: injecting in a public place (yes/no); HIV infection; current HCV infection; self-reported overdose in the last year (yes/no) and SSTI the last year (yes/no). Multi-variable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with public injecting and to estimate the association between public injecting and drug-related harms (HIV, current HCV, overdose and SSTI). RESULTS Prevalence of public injecting was 16% overall in Scotland and 47% in Glasgow city centre. Factors associated with increased odds of public injecting were: recruitment in Glasgow city centre (aOR=5.45, 95% CI 3.48-8.54, p<0.001), homelessness (aOR=3.68, 95% CI 2.61-5.19, p<0.001), high alcohol consumption (aOR=2.42, 95% CI 1.69-3.44, p<0.001), high injection frequency (≥4 per day) (aOR=3.16, 95% CI 1.93-5.18, p<0.001) and cocaine injecting (aOR=1.46, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.13, p = 0.046). Odds were lower for those receiving opiate substitution therapy (OST) (aOR=0.37, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.56, p<0.001) and older age (per year increase) (aOR=0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99, p = 0.013). Public injecting was associated with an increased risk of HIV infection (aOR=2.11, 95% CI 1.13-3.92, p = 0.019), current HCV infection (aOR=1.49, 95% CI 1.01-2.19, p = 0.043), overdose (aOR=1.59, 95% CI 1.27-2.01, p<0.001) and SSTI (aOR=1.42, 95% CI 1.17-1.73, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the need to address the additional harms observed among people who inject in public places and provide evidence to inform proposals in the UK and elsewhere to introduce facilities that offer safer drug consumption environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten M A Trayner
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Andrew McAuley
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Norah E Palmateer
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Goldberg
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Rory N Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - Emily J Tweed
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Catriona Milosevic
- Public Health Protection Unit, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
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17
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Kennedy MC, Klassen DC, Dong H, Milloy MJS, Hayashi K, Kerr TH. Supervised Injection Facility Utilization Patterns: A Prospective Cohort Study in Vancouver, Canada. Am J Prev Med 2019; 57:330-337. [PMID: 31377091 PMCID: PMC7056297 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although the health and community benefits of supervised injection facilities are well documented, little is known about long-term patterns of utilization of this form of health service. The present study seeks to longitudinally characterize discontinuation of use of a supervised injection facility in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Data were drawn from 2 community-recruited prospective cohorts of people who inject drugs between December 2005 and December 2016. In 2018, extended Cox regression for recurrent events was used to examine factors associated with time to cessation of supervised injection facility use during periods of active injection. RESULTS Of 1,336 people who inject drugs that were followed for a median of 50 months, 847 (63.4%) participants reported 1,663 6-month periods of supervised injection facility use cessation while actively injecting drugs (incidence density of 26.6 events per 100 person-years). An additional 2,282 (57.8%) of the total 3,945 6-month periods of supervised injection facility use cessation occurred during periods of injection cessation. In multivariable analyses, enrollment in methadone maintenance therapy (adjusted hazard ratio=1.41) and HIV seropositivity (adjusted hazard ratio=1.23) were positively associated with supervised injection facility use cessation during periods of active injection, whereas homelessness (adjusted hazard ratio=0.59), at least daily heroin injection (adjusted hazard ratio=0.70), binge injection (adjusted hazard ratio=0.68), public injection (adjusted hazard ratio=0.67), nonfatal overdose (adjusted hazard ratio=0.73), difficulty accessing addiction treatment (adjusted hazard ratio=0.69), and incarceration (adjusted hazard ratio=0.70) were inversely associated with this outcome (all p<0.05). The most commonly reported reasons for supervised injection facility use cessation were injection drug use cessation (42.3%) and a preference for injecting at home (30.7%). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that this supervised injection facility successfully retains people who inject drugs at elevated risk of drug-related harms and indicate that many supervised injection facility clients neither use this service nor inject drugs perpetually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David C Klassen
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Huiru Dong
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - M-J S Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Thomas H Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Fozouni
- Department of Quantitative Methods, Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bradley Buchheit
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexander Y. Walley
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcia Testa
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Avik Chatterjee
- Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Global Health Equity, Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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19
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Mittal ML, Jain S, Sun S, DeBeck K, Milloy MJ, Hayashi K, Hadland SE, Werb D. Opioid agonist treatment and the process of injection drug use initiation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 197:354-360. [PMID: 30922483 PMCID: PMC6719710 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is an effective biomedical intervention to manage opioid use disorder among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Preliminary evidence suggests that OAT may also disrupt the social communicability of injection drug use (IDU) practices by established PWID. We therefore aim to investigate the association between OAT enrollment and initiating others into IDU among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Preventing Injecting by Modifying Existing Responses (PRIMER; NIDA DP2-DA040256-01) is a prospective multi-cohort study seeking to identify structural interventions that reduce the risk that PWID initiate others into IDU. The present analysis was conducted using data from a participating cohort of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2014 and May 2017. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to assess the association between reporting active (i.e., within the past six months) OAT enrollment and assisting others in injection initiation. A final model was determined using a manual stepwise approach whereby covariates were excluded if their removal altered the coefficient of interest by <5%. RESULTS Participants (n = 1740) were predominantly male (62.3%); 35.1% reported daily injecting (n = 611); 860 (49.4%) reported active OAT enrollment, and 80 (4.6%) reported recently providing injection initiation assistance. In a multivariable model, participants who reported active OAT enrollment had significantly lower odds of recently providing injection initiation assistance (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.52, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.31-0.87, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Results suggest a protective association between OAT and the expansion of IDU practices among vulnerable populations, suggesting its potential use as 'addiction treatment as prevention.'
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luisa Mittal
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; School of Medicine, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Sonia Jain
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shelly Sun
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kora DeBeck
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M J Milloy
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Scott E Hadland
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dan Werb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Mitra S, Rachlis B, Krysowaty B, Marshall Z, Olsen C, Rourke S, Kerr T. Potential use of supervised injection services among people who inject drugs in a remote and mid-size Canadian setting. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:284. [PMID: 30849946 PMCID: PMC6408761 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6606-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While supervised injection services (SIS) feasibility research has been conducted in large urban centres across North America, it is unknown whether these services are acceptable among people who inject drugs (PWID) in remote, mid-size cities. We assessed willingness to use SIS and expected frequency of SIS use among PWID in Thunder Bay, a community in Northwestern, Ontario, Canada, serving people from suburban, rural and remote areas of the region. METHODS Between June and October 2016, peer research associates administered surveys to PWID. Sociodemographic characteristics, drug use and behavioural patterns associated with willingness to use SIS and expected frequency of SIS use were estimated using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Design preferences and amenities identified as important to provide alongside SIS were assessed descriptively. RESULTS Among 200 PWID (median age, IQR: 35, 28-43; 43% female), 137 (69%) reported willingness to use SIS. In multivariable analyses, public injecting was positively associated with willingness to use (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 4.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.08-8.29). Among those willing to use SIS, 87 (64%) said they would always/usually use SIS, while 48 (36%) said they would sometime/occasionally use SIS. In multivariable analyses, being female (AOR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.06-5.65) and reporting injecting alone was positively associated with higher expected frequency of use (AOR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.02-6.58). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that SIS could play a role in addressing the harms of injection drug use in remote and mid-sized settings particularly for those who inject in public, as well as women and those who inject alone, who report higher expected frequency of SIS use. Design preferences of local PWID, in addition to differences according to gender should be taken into consideration to maximize the uptake of SIS, alongside existing health and social service provisions available to PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Mitra
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.,Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, 270-2357 Main Mall, H.R. MacMillan Building, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Beth Rachlis
- Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences, 2075 Bayview Avenue, G172, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Bonnie Krysowaty
- Lakehead Social Planning Council, #38-125 Syndicate Avenue South, Thunder Bay, ON, P7E 6H8, Canada
| | - Zack Marshall
- School of Social Work, McGill University, 3506 University Street, Room 300, Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, Canada
| | - Cynthia Olsen
- Thunder Bay Drug Strategy, City of Thunder Bay, 500 Donald Street East, P.O. Box 800, Thunder Bay, ON, P7C 2K4, Canada
| | - Sean Rourke
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, 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, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
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21
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Provincial Health Officer declared drug-related overdose deaths a public health emergency. OBJECTIVES In this study, we examine factors associated with recent non-fatal overdose during a time of unprecedented rates of overdose and increasing involvement of fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives in overdose deaths. METHODS Between June and September 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with recent non-fatal overdose. RESULTS A total of 187 PWID were included in the present study, of whom 56 (29.9%) reported having overdosed in the previous 6 months. In multivariable analyses, fentanyl injection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: (1.08 - 6.27) and public injection (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.09 - 4.43) were positively associated with recent non-fatal overdose. CONCLUSIONS Fentanyl injection and public injection were associated with an increased likelihood of non-fatal overdose. These findings underscore the need for drug checking, safer sources of opioids and safer injecting interventions as part of overdose prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Wallace
- a Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia , University of Victoria , Victoria , BC , V8W 2Y2 , Canada.,b University of Victoria School of Social Work , Victoria , BC , V8W 2Y2 , Canada
| | - Mary Clare Kennedy
- c British Columbia Centre on Substance Use , St. Paul's Hospital , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada.,d School of Population and Public Health , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- c British Columbia Centre on Substance Use , St. Paul's Hospital , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada.,e Department of Medicine , University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Bernie Pauly
- a Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia , University of Victoria , Victoria , BC , V8W 2Y2 , Canada.,f Island Health Scholar in Residence and University of Victoria School of Nursing , Victoria , British Columbia , Canada
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22
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Wolfson-Stofko B, Elliott L, Bennett AS, Curtis R, Gwadz M. Perspectives on supervised injection facilities among service industry employees in New York City: A qualitative exploration. Int J Drug Policy 2018; 62:67-73. [PMID: 30359875 PMCID: PMC6279482 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 100 supervised injection facilities (SIFs) operate in 66 cities around the world to reduce overdose deaths, the spread of disease and public disorder, though none legally exist in the United States. Public bathrooms are among the most common public places for injection reported by people who inject drugs in New York City (NYC) and service industry employees (SIEs) inadvertently become first-responders when overdoses occur in business bathrooms. The goal of this study was to assess SIE acceptability of SIFs and the perceived effects that SIFs would have on them, their colleagues, their businesses and communities. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 SIEs recruited through convenience sampling throughout NYC. Participants were provided with peer-reviewed scientific evidence prior to discussing SIFs. Data were analysed using a hybrid deductive and inductive approach. RESULTS Most SIEs had encountered drug use (93%, n = 14/15) and syringes (73%, n = 11/15) in their business bathrooms and three had encountered unresponsive individuals. Nearly all workers (93%, n = 14/15) were supportive of SIFs and believed SIFs would reduce injection drug use in their business bathrooms. Participants also believed that 'not in my backyard' arguments from community boards may impede SIF operation. CONCLUSIONS Service industry employees are critical stakeholders due to their exposure to occupational health hazards related to public injection. Those interviewed were amenable to SIF operation as a form of occupational harm reduction and their experiences provide an important dimension to the political debate surrounding SIFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Wolfson-Stofko
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10010, United States; National Development & Research Institute, Center on Community and Health Disparities Research, 71 W. 23rd St, 4th Fl, New York, NY, 10010, United States.
| | - Luther Elliott
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10010, United States; National Development & Research Institute, Center on Community and Health Disparities Research, 71 W. 23rd St, 4th Fl, New York, NY, 10010, United States
| | - Alex S Bennett
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10010, United States; National Development & Research Institute, Center on Community and Health Disparities Research, 71 W. 23rd St, 4th Fl, New York, NY, 10010, United States
| | - Ric Curtis
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10010, United States; John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration, Department of Anthropology, 524 W. 59th St, New York, NY, 10019, United States
| | - Marya Gwadz
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10010, United States
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23
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Bardwell G, Boyd J, Kerr T, McNeil R. Negotiating space & drug use in emergency shelters with peer witness injection programs within the context of an overdose crisis: A qualitative study. Health Place 2018; 53:86-93. [PMID: 30059897 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Vancouver, Canada is experiencing an overdose crisis due to the proliferation of fentanyl and related analogues and novel overdose response interventions are being implemented across multiple high overdose risk environments, including emergency shelters. We draw on ethnographic fieldwork and qualitative interviews to examine how social, structural, and physical contexts at two emergency shelters implementing a peer-based supervised injection intervention influenced injection drug use and overdose risks. Findings reveal that the implementation of this intervention reduced stigma and shame through the normalization of drug use in shelter spaces, and yet underlying social norms and material constraints led people to inject alone in non-designated injecting spaces. Whereas these spatial dynamics of injection drug use potentially increased overdose vulnerability, an emerging sense of collective responsibility in relation to the overdose crisis led to the routinization of peer witnessing practices across the shelter environment to extend the impact of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Bardwell
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9.
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9.
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9.
| | - Ryan McNeil
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A9.
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24
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Tweed EJ, Rodgers M, Priyadarshi S, Crighton E. "Taking away the chaos": a health needs assessment for people who inject drugs in public places in Glasgow, Scotland. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:829. [PMID: 29973179 PMCID: PMC6030790 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5718-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public injecting of recreational drugs has been documented in a number of cities worldwide and was a key risk factor in a HIV outbreak in Glasgow, Scotland during 2015. We investigated the characteristics and health needs of people involved in this practice and explored stakeholder attitudes to new harm reduction interventions. METHODS We used a tripartite health needs assessment framework, comprising epidemiological, comparative, and corporate approaches. We undertook an analysis of local and national secondary data sources on drug use; a series of rapid literature reviews; and an engagement exercise with people currently injecting in public places, people in recovery from injecting drug use, and staff from relevant health and social services. RESULTS Between 400 and 500 individuals are estimated to regularly inject in public places in Glasgow city centre: most experience a combination of profound social vulnerabilities. Priority health needs comprise addictions care; prevention and treatment of blood-borne viruses; other injecting-related infections and injuries; and overdose and drug-related death. Among people with lived experience and staff from relevant health and social care services, there was widespread - though not unanimous - support for the introduction of safer injecting facilities and heroin-assisted treatment services. CONCLUSIONS The environment and context in which drug consumption occurs is a key determinant of harm, and is inextricably linked to upstream social factors. Public injecting therefore requires a multifaceted response. Though evidence-based interventions exist, their implementation internationally is variable: understanding the attitudes of key stakeholders provides important insights into local facilitators and barriers. Following this study, Glasgow plans to establish the world's first co-located safer injecting facility and heroin-assisted treatment service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Tweed
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, West House, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G11 0SX, UK. .,MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3QB, UK.
| | - Mark Rodgers
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, JB Russell House, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G11 0SX, UK.,School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Saket Priyadarshi
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Addictions Services, Festival Business Centre, 150 Brand Street, Glasgow, G51 1DP, UK
| | - Emilia Crighton
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, West House, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G11 0SX, UK
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25
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Collins AB, Parashar S, Hogg RS, Fernando S, Worthington C, McDougall P, Turje RB, McNeil R. Integrated HIV care and service engagement among people living with HIV who use drugs in a setting with a community-wide treatment as prevention initiative: a qualitative study in Vancouver, Canada. J Int AIDS Soc 2017; 20:21407. [PMID: 28426185 DOI: 10.7448/IAS.20.1.21407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Social-structural inequities impede access to, and retention in, HIV care among structurally vulnerable people living with HIV (PLHIV) who use drugs. The resulting disparities in HIV-related outcomes among PLHIV who use drugs pose barriers to the optimization of HIV treatment as prevention (TasP) initiatives. We undertook this study to examine engagement with, and impacts of, an integrated HIV care services model tailored to the needs of PLHIV who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada – a setting with a community-wide TasP initiative. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 30 PLHIV who use drugs recruited from the Dr. Peter Centre, an HIV care facility operating under an integrated services model and harm reduction approach. We employed novel analytical techniques to analyse participants’ service trajectories within this facility to understand how this HIV service environment influences access to, and retention in, HIV care among structurally vulnerable PLHIV who use drugs. Results: Our findings demonstrate that participants’ structural vulnerability shaped their engagement with the HIV care facility that provided access to resources that facilitated retention in HIV care and antiretroviral treatment adherence. Additionally, the integrated service environment helped reduce burdens associated with living in extreme poverty by meeting participants’ subsistence (e.g. food, shelter) needs. Moreover, access to multiple supports created a structured environment in which participants could develop routine service use patterns and have prolonged engagement with supportive care services. Our findings demonstrate that low-barrier service models can mitigate social and structural barriers to HIV care and complement TasP initiatives for PLHIV who use drugs. Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical role of integrated service models in promoting access to health and support services for structurally vulnerable PLHIV. Complementing structural interventions with integrated service models that are tailored to the needs of structurally vulnerable PLHIV who use drugs will be pursuant to the goals of TasP.
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26
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Socías ME, Kerr T, Wood E, Dong H, Lake S, Hayashi K, DeBeck K, Jutras-Aswad D, Montaner J, Milloy MJ. Intentional cannabis use to reduce crack cocaine use in a Canadian setting: A longitudinal analysis. Addict Behav 2017; 72:138-143. [PMID: 28399488 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No effective pharmacotherapies exist for the treatment of crack cocaine use disorders. Emerging data suggests that cannabinoids may play a role in reducing cocaine-related craving symptoms. This study investigated the intentional use of cannabis to reduce crack use among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD). METHODS Data were drawn from three prospective cohorts of PWUD in Vancouver, Canada. Using data from participants reporting intentional cannabis use to control crack use, we used generalized linear mixed-effects modeling to estimate the independent effect of three pre-defined intentional cannabis use periods (i.e., before, during and after first reported intentional use to reduce crack use) on frequency of crack use. RESULTS Between 2012 and 2015, 122 participants reported using cannabis to reduce crack use, contributing a total of 620 observations. In adjusted analyses, compared to before periods, after periods were associated with reduced frequency of crack use (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=1.89, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.02-3.45), but not the intentional use periods (AOR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.51-1.41). Frequency of cannabis use in after periods was higher than in before periods (AOR=4.72, 95% CI: 2.47-8.99), and showed a tendency to lower frequency than in intentional cannabis use periods (AOR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-1.01). CONCLUSIONS A period of intentional cannabis use to reduce crack use was associated with decreased frequency of crack use in subsequent periods among PWUD. Further clinical research to assess the potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of crack use disorders is warranted.
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27
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Vallance K, Pauly B, Wallace B, Chow C, Perkin K, Martin G, Zhao J, Stockwell T. Factors associated with public injection and nonfatal overdose among people who inject drugs in street-based settings. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2017.1351524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Vallance
- Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Bernie Pauly
- Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Bruce Wallace
- School of Social Work, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | | | - Kathleen Perkin
- Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Gina Martin
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Jinhui Zhao
- Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Tim Stockwell
- Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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28
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Mitra S, Rachlis B, Scheim A, Bardwell G, Rourke SB, Kerr T. Acceptability and design preferences of supervised injection services among people who inject drugs in a mid-sized Canadian City. Harm Reduct J 2017; 14:46. [PMID: 28709471 PMCID: PMC5513355 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0174-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Supervised injection services (SIS) have been shown to reduce the public- and individual-level harms associated with injection drug use. While SIS feasibility research has been conducted in large urban centres, little is known about the acceptability of these services among people who inject drugs (PWID) in mid-sized cities. We assessed the prevalence and correlates of willingness to use SIS as well as design and operational preferences among PWID in London, Canada. Methods Between March and April 2016, peer research associates administered a cross-sectional survey to PWID in London. Socio-demographic characteristics, drug-use patterns, and behaviours associated with willingness to use SIS were estimated using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics with expected frequency of SIS use among those willing to use SIS. Design and operational preferences are also described. Results Of 197 PWID included in this analysis (median age, 39; interquartile range (IQR), 33–50; 38% female), 170 (86%) reported willingness to use SIS. In multivariable analyses, being female (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11–0.75) was negatively associated with willingness to use, while public injecting in the last 6 months (AOR 2.76; 95% CI 1.00–7.62) was positively associated with willingness to use. Participants living in unstable housing, those injecting in public, and those injecting opioids and crystal methamphetamine daily reported higher expected frequency of SIS use (p < 0.05). A majority preferred private cubicles for injecting spaces and daytime operational hours, while just under half preferred PWID involved in service operations. Conclusions High levels of willingness to use SIS were found among PWID in this setting, suggesting that these services may play a role in addressing the harms associated with injection drug use. To maximize the uptake of SIS, programme planners and policy makers should consider the effects of gender and views of PWID regarding SIS design and operational preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Mitra
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, 1300 Yonge Street, Suite 600, Toronto, ON, M4T 1X3, Canada
| | - Beth Rachlis
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, 1300 Yonge Street, Suite 600, Toronto, ON, M4T 1X3, Canada.,Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Ayden Scheim
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, K201 Kresge Building, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Geoff Bardwell
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Sean B Rourke
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, 1300 Yonge Street, Suite 600, Toronto, ON, M4T 1X3, Canada.,Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada. .,BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1Y6, BC, 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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29
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Linton SL, Cooper HLF, Kelley ME, Karnes CC, Ross Z, Wolfe ME, Friedman SR, Jarlais DD, Semaan S, Tempalski B, Sionean C, DiNenno E, Wejnert C, Paz-Bailey G. Cross-sectional association between ZIP code-level gentrification and homelessness among a large community-based sample of people who inject drugs in 19 US cities. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e013823. [PMID: 28637724 PMCID: PMC5541298 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Housing instability has been associated with poor health outcomes among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study investigates the associations of local-level housing and economic conditions with homelessness among a large sample of PWID, which is an underexplored topic to date. METHODS PWID in this cross-sectional study were recruited from 19 large cities in the USA as part of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance. PWID provided self-reported information on demographics, behaviours and life events. Homelessness was defined as residing on the street, in a shelter, in a single room occupancy hotel, or in a car or temporarily residing with friends or relatives any time in the past year. Data on county-level rental housing unaffordability and demand for assisted housing units, and ZIP code-level gentrification (eg, index of percent increases in non-Hispanic white residents, household income, gross rent from 1990 to 2009) and economic deprivation were collected from the US Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development. Multilevel models evaluated the associations of local economic and housing characteristics with homelessness. RESULTS Sixty percent (5394/8992) of the participants reported homelessness in the past year. The multivariable model demonstrated that PWID living in ZIP codes with higher levels of gentrification had higher odds of homelessness in the past year (gentrification: adjusted OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.04 to 1.17). CONCLUSIONS Additional research is needed to determine the mechanisms through which gentrification increases homelessness among PWID to develop appropriate community-level interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabriya L Linton
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hannah LF Cooper
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mary E Kelley
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Conny C Karnes
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zev Ross
- ZevRoss Spatial Analysis, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Mary E Wolfe
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- Institute for Infectious Disease Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, New York, USA
| | - Don Des Jarlais
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, USA
| | - Salaam Semaan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Barbara Tempalski
- Institute for Infectious Disease Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, New York, USA
| | - Catlainn Sionean
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Cyprian Wejnert
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Irwin A, Jozaghi E, Weir BW, Allen ST, Lindsay A, Sherman SG. Mitigating the heroin crisis in Baltimore, MD, USA: a cost-benefit analysis of a hypothetical supervised injection facility. Harm Reduct J 2017; 14:29. [PMID: 28532488 PMCID: PMC5441005 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0153-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Baltimore, MD, as in many cities throughout the USA, overdose rates are on the rise due to both the increase of prescription opioid abuse and that of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in the drug market. Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) are a widely implemented public health intervention throughout the world, with 97 existing in 11 countries worldwide. Research has documented the public health, social, and economic benefits of SIFs, yet none exist in the USA. The purpose of this study is to model the health and financial costs and benefits of a hypothetical SIF in Baltimore. Methods We estimate the benefits by utilizing local health data and data on the impact of existing SIFs in models for six outcomes: prevented human immunodeficiency virus transmission, Hepatitis C virus transmission, skin and soft-tissue infection, overdose mortality, and overdose-related medical care and increased medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence. Results We predict that for an annual cost of $1.8 million, a single SIF would generate $7.8 million in savings, preventing 3.7 HIV infections, 21 Hepatitis C infections, 374 days in the hospital for skin and soft-tissue infection, 5.9 overdose deaths, 108 overdose-related ambulance calls, 78 emergency room visits, and 27 hospitalizations, while bringing 121 additional people into treatment. Conclusions We conclude that a SIF would be both extremely cost-effective and a significant public health and economic benefit to Baltimore City.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Irwin
- Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Silver Spring, MD, USA. .,Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Ehsan Jozaghi
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brian W Weir
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Lindsay
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, Amherst College, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Wolfson-Stofko B, Bennett AS, Elliott L, Curtis R. Drug use in business bathrooms: An exploratory study of manager encounters in New York City. Int J Drug Policy 2016; 39:69-77. [PMID: 27768996 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though public bathroom drug injection has been documented from the perspective of people who inject drugs, no research has explored the experiences of the business managers who oversee their business bathrooms and respond to drug use. These managers, by default, are first-responders in the event of a drug overdose and thus of intrinsic interest during the current epidemic of opioid-related overdoses in the United States. This exploratory study assists in elucidating the experiences that New York City business managers have with people who inject drugs, their paraphernalia, and their overdoses. METHODS A survey instrument was designed to collect data on manager encounters with drug use occurring in their business bathrooms. Recruitment was guided by convenience and purposive approaches. RESULTS More than half of managers interviewed (58%, n=50/86) encountered drug use in their business bathrooms, more than a third (34%) of these managers also found syringes, and the vast majority (90%) of managers had received no overdose recognition or naloxone training. Seven managers encountered unresponsive individuals who required emergency assistance. CONCLUSION The results from this study underscore the need for additional research on the experiences that community stakeholders have with public injection as well as educational outreach efforts among business managers. This research also suggests that there is need for a national dialogue about potential interventions, including expanded overdose recognition and naloxone training and supervised injection facilities (SIF)/drug consumption rooms (DCR), that could reduce public injection and its associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Wolfson-Stofko
- National Development & Research Institute, Institute for Special Populations Research, 71 W. 23rd St., 4th Fl., New York, NY 10100, United States of America; Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10100, United States of America.
| | - Alex S Bennett
- National Development & Research Institute, Institute for Special Populations Research, 71 W. 23rd St., 4th Fl., New York, NY 10100, United States of America; Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10100, United States of America
| | - Luther Elliott
- National Development & Research Institute, Institute for Special Populations Research, 71 W. 23rd St., 4th Fl., New York, NY 10100, United States of America; Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10100, United States of America
| | - Ric Curtis
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration, and Department of Anthropology, 524 W. 59th St., New York, NY 10019, United States of America; Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10100, United States of America
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Maragh-Bass AC, Powell C, Park J, Flynn C, German D. Sociodemographic and access-related correlates of health-care utilization among African American injection drug users: The BESURE study. J Ethn Subst Abuse 2016; 16:344-362. [PMID: 27404977 DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2016.1196629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Persons who inject drugs (PWID) may have less access to, and utilization of, health-care services, and African American PWID may be less likely than other racial groups to utilize health care in the United States. The present study evaluated the prevalence of health-care utilization (HCU) among a cohort of African American PWID in Baltimore. Data were from the 2012 Baltimore National HIV Behavioral Surveillance study. Participants were adult PWID and recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). They completed a comprehensive sociobehavioral survey and voluntary HIV test with trained study interviewers. Analyses included descriptive and bivariate statistics to examine the prevalence of HCU, defined as seeing a health-care provider in the past year. Poisson regression assessed correlates of HCU. Participants were 61% male; 23% self-reported HIV seropositivity. Nearly 90% reported unemployment and/or disability; HCU prevalence was 85%. Significant negative correlates of HCU included age and higher injection frequency; positive correlates included previous incarceration and moderate financial stability. Interaction analyses showed unemployed publicly insured individuals had 30% higher HCU than unemployed and uninsured individuals (χ2 = 2.52; p < .05). There is a need to improve health-care utilization among PWID. High prevalence of disability was still found, despite insurance coverage and access to care in this population. While the recent Affordable Care Act has increased health-care coverage and access, our results suggest that is only a first step to improving health outcomes among PWID; targeted intervention to integrate these individuals is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ju Park
- b Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland
| | - Colin Flynn
- c Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene , Baltimore , Maryland
| | - Danielle German
- d Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland
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Werb D, Strathdee SA, Vera A, Arredondo J, Beletsky L, Gonzalez-Zuniga P, Gaines T. Spatial patterns of arrests, police assault and addiction treatment center locations in Tijuana, Mexico. Addiction 2016; 111:1246-56. [PMID: 26879179 PMCID: PMC4899159 DOI: 10.1111/add.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In the context of a public health-oriented drug policy reform in Mexico, we assessed the spatial distribution of police encounters among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tijuana, determined the association between these encounters and the location of addiction treatment centers and explored the association between police encounters and treatment access. DESIGN Geographically weighted regression (GWR) and logistic regression analysis using prospective spatial data from a community-recruited cohort of PWID in Tijuana and official geographical arrest data from the Tijuana Municipal Police Department. SETTING Tijuana, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS A total of 608 participants (median age 37; 28.4% female) in the prospective Proyecto El Cuete cohort study recruited between January and December 2011. MEASUREMENTS We compared the mean distance of police encounters and a randomly distributed set of events to treatment centers. GWR was undertaken to model the spatial relationship between police interactions and treatment centers. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with reporting police interactions. FINDINGS During the study period, 27.5% of police encounters occurred within 500 m of treatment centers. The GWR model suggested spatial correlation between encounters and treatment centers (global R(2) = 0.53). Reporting a need for addiction treatment was associated with reporting arrest and police assault [adjusted odds ratio = 2.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25-6.02, P = 0.012]. CONCLUSIONS A geospatial analysis suggests that, in Mexico, people who inject drugs are at greater risk of being a victim of police violence if they consider themselves in need of addiction treatment, and their interactions with police appear to be more frequent around treatment centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Werb
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego,BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - SA Strathdee
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - A Vera
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - J Arredondo
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - L Beletsky
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego,Northeastern University School of Law & Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Boston
| | - P Gonzalez-Zuniga
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - T Gaines
- Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
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Voon P, Ti L, Dong H, Milloy MJ, Wood E, Kerr T, Hayashi K. Risky and rushed public crack cocaine smoking: the potential for supervised inhalation facilities. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:476. [PMID: 27266703 PMCID: PMC4895970 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3137-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the multitude of public health and community harms associated with crack cocaine use, little is known about factors associated with smoking crack in public and related risks such as rushed public crack smoking. METHODS Data were derived from two prospective cohort studies of people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada between 2010 and 2014. Multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to identify the prevalence and correlates of public crack smoking and rushed public crack smoking. RESULTS In total, 1085 participants who had smoked crack in the prior six months were eligible for the analysis, of which 379 (34.9 %) reported always or usually smoking crack in public in the previous six months at some point during the study period. Factors positively and independently associated with public crack smoking included public injection drug use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.42, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 3.76-7.82), homelessness (AOR: 3.48, 95 % CI: 2.77-4.36), at least daily crack use (AOR: 2.69, 95 % CI: 2.19-3.31), crack pipe sharing (AOR: 1.98, 95 % CI: 1.60-2.46), drug dealing (AOR: 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.30-1.94), recent incarceration (AOR: 1.47, 95 % CI: 1.09-1.98), noticing police presence when buying or using drugs (AOR: 1.30, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.60), and younger age (AOR: 1.03, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.04). Rushed public crack smoking, which was reported by 216 (28.8 %) of 751 participants who had smoked crack in public at least once during the study period, was positively and independently associated with homelessness (AOR: 2.61, 95 % CI: 1.96-3.49), at least daily crack use (AOR: 1.48, 95 % CI: 1.11-1.98), crack pipe sharing (AOR: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.89), drug dealing (AOR: 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.86), and younger age (AOR: 1.02, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.04). CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of public crack smoking and rushed public crack smoking was observed in this setting. These findings point to the need for implementing and evaluating evidence-based public health interventions, such as supervised inhalation facilities, to reduce the risks and harms associated with smoking crack in public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Voon
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lianping Ti
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Huiru Dong
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1080 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, 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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35
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Treloar C, Mao L, Wilson H. Beyond equipment distribution in Needle and Syringe Programmes: an exploratory analysis of blood-borne virus risk and other measures of client need. Harm Reduct J 2016; 13:18. [PMID: 27246345 PMCID: PMC4886397 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-016-0107-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite high levels of equipment distribution through Needle and Syringe Programmes (NSPs) in Australia, the levels of reuse of equipment among people who inject drugs remain concerning. This paper used an exploratory analysis to examine the needs of NSP client that could be addressed by NSPs to enhance service impact and blood-borne virus risk practices. Methods People who inject drugs were recruited from six NSP sites in Sydney, Australia, to undertake a self-completed survey. Results Using the responses of 236 NSP client participants, three factors were identified in an exploratory factor analysis: recent risky injection (Eigenvalue 3.63, 20.2 % of variance); disadvantage and disability (Eigenvalue 2.26, 12.5 % of variance); and drug use milieu (Eigenvalue 1.50, 8.4 % of variance). To understand the distribution of these factors, the standardised factor scores were dichotomised to explore those participants with ‘above average’ vulnerability on each factor. A small group of NSP clients reported a cluster of vulnerability measures. Most participants (55.5 %) reported vulnerability on none or only one factor, indicating that 45.5 % could be considered as having double (35.6 %) or triple (8.9 %) vulnerability. Conclusions These results challenge NSPs to understand the heterogeneity among their client group and develop programmes that respond to their clients’ range of needs beyond those immediately associated with blood-borne virus (BBV) risk. This paper contributes to the growing evidence base regarding the need for BBV prevention efforts to examine strategies beyond equipment distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia.
| | - Limin Mao
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Hannah Wilson
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
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Richardson LA, Long C, DeBeck K, Nguyen P, Milloy MJS, Wood E, Kerr TH. Socioeconomic marginalisation in the structural production of vulnerability to violence among people who use illicit drugs. J Epidemiol Community Health 2015; 69:686-92. [PMID: 25691275 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-205079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many people who use illicit drugs (PWUD) face challenges to their financial stability. Resulting activities that PWUD undertake to generate income may increase their vulnerability to violence. We therefore examined the relationship between income generation and exposure to violence across a wide range of income generating activities among HIV-positive and HIV-negative PWUD living in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Data were derived from cohorts of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative PWUD (n=1876) between December 2005 and November 2012. We estimated the relationship between different types of income generation and suffering physical or sexual violence using bivariate and multivariate generalised estimating equations, as well as the characteristics of violent interactions. RESULTS Exposure to violence was reported among 977 (52%) study participants over the study period. In multivariate models controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, mental health status, and drug use patterns, violence was independently and positively associated with participation in street-based income generation activities (ie, recycling, squeegeeing and panhandling; adjusted OR (AOR)=1.39, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.57), sex work (AOR=1.23, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.50), drug dealing (AOR=1.63, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.84), and theft and other acquisitive criminal activity (AOR=1.51, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.80). Engagement in regular, self-employment or temporary employment was not associated with being exposed to violence. Strangers were the most common perpetrators of violence (46.7%) and beatings the most common type of exposure (70.8%). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that economic activities expose individuals to contexts associated with social and structural vulnerability to violence. The creation of safe economic opportunities which can minimise vulnerability to violence among PWUD is therefore urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Richardson
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cathy Long
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul Nguyen
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - M-J S Milloy
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Faculty of Medicine (Division of AIDS), University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Faculty of Medicine (Division of AIDS), University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Thomas H Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Faculty of Medicine (Division of AIDS), University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
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Wilson H, Brener L, Mao L, Treloar C. Perceived discrimination and injecting risk among people who inject drugs attending Needle and Syringe Programmes in Sydney, Australia. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014; 144:274-8. [PMID: 25236889 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research indicates that stigma and discrimination have negative consequences for both healthcare delivery and for health outcomes of people who inject drugs (PWID). Also important but not as well researched is the association between perceived discrimination and increased engagement in risky behaviours. This research aimed to explore whether perceived discrimination from workers in Needle and Syringe programmes (NSPs) is associated with increased engagement in injecting risk practices such as the sharing of injecting equipment. METHOD Convenience sampling was used across eight NSP sites within Western Sydney, Australia. All clients who attended one of the NSPs were eligible to participate. RESULTS A total of 236 clients completed the survey. Perceived discrimination from NSP staff was found to be significantly associated with some injecting risk practices. Respondents who reported greater perceived discrimination from NSP staff were significantly more likely to report being injected by someone else after they had injected themselves (OR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.3) and reusing a needle or syringe (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.0-1.3) in the last month. Although clients reported perceiving more discrimination from general health workers than from NSP workers (12.8 vs. 10.2, t=7.739, df=226, p<0.001), perceived discrimination from general health workers was not associated with increased injecting risk practices. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that NSP workers need to be aware that although they work in a model that is usually non-judgemental, their clients may still have a heightened sensitivity to discrimination which can then have consequences for on-going engagement in risk practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wilson
- Centre for Social Research in Health, Level 3 Goodsell Building, UNSW, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, Level 3 Goodsell Building, UNSW, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia.
| | - Limin Mao
- Centre for Social Research in Health, Level 3 Goodsell Building, UNSW, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, Level 3 Goodsell Building, UNSW, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
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Smith ME, Robinowitz N, Chaulk P, Johnson KE. Self-care and risk reduction habits in older injection drug users with chronic wounds: a cross-sectional study. Harm Reduct J 2014; 11:28. [PMID: 25326686 PMCID: PMC4213493 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-11-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We surveyed a population of injection drug users (IDUs) frequenting the mobile Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (BNEP) to investigate self-care factors associated with chronic wounds, a significant cause of morbidity especially among older IDUs. Methods Participants ≥18 years old completed a survey regarding chronic wounds (duration ≥8 weeks), injection and hygiene practices. Study staff visually verified the presence of wounds. Participants were categorized into four groups by age and wound status. Factors associated with the presence of chronic wounds in participants ≥45 years were analyzed using logistic regression. Results Of the 152 participants, 19.7% had a chronic wound. Of those with chronic wounds, 18 were ≥45 years old (60.0%). Individuals ≥45 years old with chronic wounds were more likely to be enrolled in a drug treatment program (Odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.0–10.8) and less likely to use cigarette filters when drawing up prepared drug (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.03–0.7) compared to the same age group without chronic wounds. Compared to individuals <45 years old without chronic wounds, individuals ≥45 with a chronic wound were more likely to report cleaning reused needles with bleach (OR 10.7, 95% CI 1.2–93.9) and to use the clinic, rather than an emergency room, as a primary source of medical care (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–10.4). Conclusions Older IDUs with chronic wounds have different, and perhaps less risky, injection and hygiene behaviors than their peers and younger IDUs without wounds in Baltimore City. Because of these differences, older IDUs with wounds may be more receptive to community-based healthcare and substance abuse treatment messages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kristine E Johnson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Building, Center Tower, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Havinga P, van der Velden C, de Gee A, van der Poel A. Differences in sociodemographic, drug use and health characteristics between never, former and current injecting, problematic hard-drug users in the Netherlands. Harm Reduct J 2014; 11:6. [PMID: 24524263 PMCID: PMC3926265 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-11-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Injecting drug users are at increased risk for harmful effects compared to non-injecting drug users. Some studies have focused on differences in characteristics between these two groups (e.g., housing, overall health). However, no study has investigated the specific Dutch situation which in the last years has seen a decrease in homelessness among problematic hard-drug users and an increasing focus on physical health in low-threshold addiction care. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in sociodemographic, drug use and health characteristics between never-injecting (NIDUs), former-injecting (FIDUs) and current-injecting drug users (IDUs) and describe injecting practices. Methods A total of 202 problematic hard-drug users (NIDU = 64; FIDU = 76; IDU = 62) were recruited from 22 low-threshold care facilities, including drug consumption rooms, methadone maintenance treatment, heroin-assisted therapy, day shelter and/or night shelter, supported housing and day activity centres. Data were collected on-site through structured face-to-face interviews. Results Results indicate that IDUs represented a separate group of problematic hard-drug users, with distinct sociodemographic and drug use characteristics. Overall, IDUs appeared to be the group with least favourable characteristics (unstable housing/homelessness, illegal activities, polydrug use) and NIDUs appeared to have the most favourable characteristics (stable housing, help with debts, less polydrug use). The FIDU group lies somewhere in between. The three groups did not differ significantly in terms of health. Regarding injecting practices, results showed that majority of IDUs had injected drugs for over 10 years and IDUs injected heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and/or methadone in the past 6 months. Sharing syringes was not common. A quarter reported public injecting. Conclusions Unstable housing and homelessness are related to (former) injecting drug use, and stable housing is related to never-injecting drug use. Our study suggests that the number of ‘new’ IDUs is low. However, public injecting among IDUs is not uncommon and is associated with unstable housing. This emphasizes the potential of housing projects as a component of harm reduction measures. Therefore, prevention of (risks associated with) injecting drug use and supported housing programmes for problematic hard-drug users deserve the continuous attention of policymakers and professionals in low-threshold addiction care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Agnes van der Poel
- Network of Infectious Diseases and Harm Reduction, Trimbos Institute, P,O, Box 725, Utrecht 3500, AS, The Netherlands.
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Crabtree A, Mercer G, Horan R, Grant S, Tan T, Buxton JA. A qualitative study of the perceived effects of blue lights in washrooms on people who use injection drugs. Harm Reduct J 2013; 10:22. [PMID: 24099145 PMCID: PMC3853159 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blue lights are sometimes placed in public washrooms to discourage injection drug use. Their effectiveness has been questioned and concerns raised that they are harmful but formal research on the issue is limited to a single study. We gathered perceptions of people who use injection drugs on the effects of blue lights with the aim of informing harm reduction practice. Methods We interviewed 18 people in two Canadian cities who currently or previously used injection drugs to better understand their perceptions of the rationale for and consequences of blue lights in public washrooms. Results Participants described a preference for private places to use injection drugs, but explained that the need for an immediate solution would often override other considerations. While public washrooms were in many cases not preferred, their accessibility and relative privacy appear to make them reasonable compromises in situations involving urgent injecting. Participants understood the aim of blue lights to be to deter drug use. The majority had attempted to inject in a blue-lit washroom. While there was general agreement that blue lights do make injecting more difficult, a small number of participants were entirely undeterred by them, and half would use a blue-lit washroom if they needed somewhere to inject urgently. Participants perceived that, by making veins less visible, blue lights make injecting more dangerous. By dispersing public injection drug use to places where it is more visible, they also make it more stigmatizing. Despite recognizing these harms, more than half of the participants were not opposed to the continued use of blue lights. Conclusions Blue lights are unlikely to deter injection drugs use in public washrooms, and may increase drug use-related harms. Despite recognizing these negative effects, people who use injection drugs may be reluctant to advocate against their use. We attempt to reconcile this apparent contradiction by interpreting blue lights as a form of symbolic violence and suggest a parallel with other emancipatory movements for inspiration in advocating against this and other oppressive interventions.
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Leung LTF, Ti L, Hayashi K, Suwannawong P, Kaplan K, Wood E, Kerr T. Health and safety risks associated with public injecting among people who inject drugs in Bangkok, Thailand. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013; 32:582-7. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Tze Fung Leung
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS; St. Paul's Hospital; Vancouver Canada
- Faculty of Medicine; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Lianping Ti
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS; St. Paul's Hospital; Vancouver Canada
- School of Population & Public Health; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS; St. Paul's Hospital; Vancouver Canada
- Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Paisan Suwannawong
- Mitsampan Harm Reduction Center/Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group; Bangkok Thailand
| | - Karyn Kaplan
- Mitsampan Harm Reduction Center/Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group; Bangkok Thailand
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS; St. Paul's Hospital; Vancouver Canada
- Faculty of Medicine; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS; St. Paul's Hospital; Vancouver Canada
- Faculty of Medicine; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
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Callon C, Charles G, Alexander R, Small W, Kerr T. 'On the same level': facilitators' experiences running a drug user-led safer injecting education campaign. Harm Reduct J 2013; 10:4. [PMID: 23497293 PMCID: PMC3605366 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Unsafe injection practices play a major role in elevated rates of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (IDU). There is growing interest in the direct involvement of IDU in interventions that seek to address unsafe injecting. This study describes a drug user-led safer injecting education campaign, and explores facilitators’ experiences delivering educational workshops. Methods We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 8 members of the Injection Support (IS) Team who developed and facilitated a series of safer injecting education workshops. Interviews explored facilitator’s perceptions of the workshops, experiences being a facilitator, and perspectives on the educational campaign. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was conducted. Results IS Team facilitators described how the workshop’s structure and content enabled effective communication of information about safer injecting practices, while targeting the unsafe practices of workshop participants. Facilitators’ identity as IDU enhanced their ability to relate to workshop participants and communicate educational messages in language accessible to workshop participants. Facilitators reported gaining knowledge and skills from their involvement in the campaign, as well as positive feelings about themselves from the realization that they were helping people to protect their health. Overall, facilitators felt that this campaign provided IDU with valuable information, although facilitators also critiqued the campaign and suggested improvements for future efforts. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of involving IDU in educational initiatives targeting unsafe injecting. Findings illustrate how IDU involvement in prevention activities improves relevance and cultural appropriateness of interventions while providing individual, social, and professional benefits to those IDU delivering education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Callon
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St, Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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Abstract
We investigated whether drug-related behaviors predicted antiretroviral therapy (ART) discontinuation among a cohort of injection drug users (IDU) in a Canadian setting. Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of drug use patterns on rates of ART discontinuation among a sample of HIV-positive IDU in Vancouver, Canada between May 1996 and April 2008. In total, 408 HIV-positive IDU initiated ART during the study period, among whom 257 (63.0%) discontinued ART at least once. Rates of ART discontinuation were not significantly elevated among those who reported ongoing injection of heroin, cocaine, or other illicit drugs in comparison to those who reported not injecting drugs. However, public drug use was significantly predictive of ART discontinuation. Our findings may contribute to a reconsideration of the role of active drug use in determining retention in ART programs among IDU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Werb
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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Richardson L, Wood E, Kerr T. The impact of social, structural and physical environmental factors on transitions into employment among people who inject drugs. Soc Sci Med 2012; 76:126-33. [PMID: 23157930 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite growing awareness of the importance of context for the health of people who use drugs, studies examining labour market outcomes have rarely considered the role that physical, social and structural factors play in shaping labour market participation among drug users. Using discrete time event history analyses, we assessed associations between high-intensity substance use, individual drug use-related risk and features of inner-city drug use scenes with transitions into regular employment. Data were derived from a community-recruited cohort of people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada (n = 1579) spanning the period of May 1996-May 2005. Results demonstrate that systematic socio-demographic differences in labour market outcomes in this context generally correspond to dimensions of demographic disadvantage. Additionally, in initial analyses, high-intensity substance use is negatively associated with transitions into employment. However, this negative association loses significance when indicators measuring exposure to physical, social and structural features of the broader risk environment are considered. These findings indicate that interventions designed to improve employment outcomes among drug users should address these social, structural and physical components of the risk environment as well as promote the cessation of drug use.
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Small W, Moore D, Shoveller J, Wood E, Kerr T. Perceptions of risk and safety within injection settings: Injection drug users' reasons for attending a supervised injecting facility in Vancouver, Canada. Health, Risk & Society 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/13698575.2012.680950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Small W, Wood E, Tobin D, Rikley J, Lapushinsky D, Kerr T. The Injection Support Team: a peer-driven program to address unsafe injecting in a Canadian setting. Subst Use Misuse 2012; 47:491-501. [PMID: 22428817 DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2012.644107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In 2005, members of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) formed the Injection Support Team (IST). A community-based research project examined this drug-user-led intervention through observation of team activities, over 30 interviews with team members, and 9 interviews with people reached by the team. The IST is composed of recognized "hit doctors," who perform outreach in the open drug scene to provide safer injecting education and instruction regarding safer assisted-injection. The IST represents a unique drug-user-led response to the gaps in local harm reduction efforts including programmatic barriers to attending the local supervised injection facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Will Small
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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DeBeck K, Wood E, Qi J, Fu E, McArthur D, Montaner J, Kerr T. Socializing in an open drug scene: the relationship between access to private space and drug-related street disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 120:28-34. [PMID: 21764528 PMCID: PMC3202661 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2011] [Revised: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited attention has been given to the potential role that the structure of housing available to people who are entrenched in street-based drug scenes may play in influencing the amount of time injection drug users (IDU) spend on public streets. We sought to examine the relationship between time spent socializing in Vancouver's drug scene and access to private space. METHODS Using multivariate logistic regression we evaluated factors associated with socializing (three+ hours each day) in Vancouver's open drug scene among a prospective cohort of IDU. We also assessed attitudes towards relocating socializing activities if greater access to private indoor space was provided. RESULTS Among our sample of 1114 IDU, 43% fit our criteria for socializing in the open drug scene. In multivariate analysis, having limited access to private space was independently associated with socializing (adjusted odds ratio: 1.80, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.55). In further analysis, 65% of 'socializers' reported positive attitudes towards relocating socializing if they had greater access to private space. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that providing IDU with greater access to private indoor space may reduce one component of drug-related street disorder. Low-threshold supportive housing based on the 'housing first' model that include safeguards to manage behaviors associated with illicit drug use appear to offer important opportunities to create the types of private spaces that could support a reduction in street disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia
| | - Jiezhi Qi
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | - Eric Fu
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | | | - Julio Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia
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Deering KN, Shoveller J, Tyndall MW, Montaner JS, Shannon K. The street cost of drugs and drug use patterns: relationships with sex work income in an urban Canadian setting. Drug Alcohol Depend 2011; 118:430-6. [PMID: 21704461 PMCID: PMC3392208 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Revised: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the relationship between drug use and sex work patterns and sex work income earned among street-based female sex workers (FSWs) in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS We used data from a sample of 129 FSWs who used drugs in a prospective cohort (2007-2008), for a total of 210 observations. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression using generalized estimating equations was used to model the relationship between explanatory factors and sex work income. Sex work income was log-transformed to account for skewed data. RESULTS The median age of the sample at first visit was 37 years (interquartile range[IQR]: 30-43), with 46.5% identifying as Caucasian, 48.1% as Aboriginal and 5.4% as another visible minority. The median weekly sex work income and amount spent on drugs was $300 (IQR=$100-$560) and $400 (IQR=$150-$780), respectively. In multivariable analysis, for a 10% increase in money spent on drugs, sex work income increased by 1.9% (coeff: 0.20, 95% CIs: 0.04-0.36). FSWs who injected heroin, FSWs with higher numbers of clients and youth compared to older women (<25 versus 25+ years) also had significantly higher sex work income. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the important role that drug use plays in contributing to increased dependency on sex work for income among street-based FSWs in an urban Canadian setting, including a positive dose-response relationship between money spent on drugs and sex work income. These findings indicate a crucial need to scale up access and availability of evidence-based harm reduction and treatment approaches, including policy reforms, improved social support and economic choice for vulnerable women.
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Affiliation(s)
- KN Deering
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6T 1Z3
| | - J Shoveller
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6T 1Z3
| | - MW Tyndall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, CANADA K1H 8L6
| | - JS Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
| | - K Shannon
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6T 1Z3
,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V6Z 1Y6
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Reddon H, Wood E, Tyndall M, Lai C, Hogg R, Montaner J, Kerr T. Use of North America's first medically supervised safer injecting facility among HIV-positive injection drug users. AIDS Educ Prev 2011; 23:412-422. [PMID: 22010805 PMCID: PMC3799861 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2011.23.5.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine supervised injecting facility (SIF) use among a cohort of 395 HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) in Vancouver, Canada. The correlates of SIF use were identified using generalized estimating equation analyses. In multivariate analyses, frequent SIF use was associated with homelessness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.90), daily heroin injection (AOR = 1.56), and daily cocaine injection (AOR = 1.59). The reasons given for not using the SIF included a preference for injecting at home and already having a safe place to inject. The SIF services most commonly used were needle exchange and nursing services. The SIF appears to have attracted a high-risk subpopulation of HIV-positive IDUs; this coverage perhaps could be extended with the addition of HIV-specific services such as disease monitoring and the provision of antiretroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hudson Reddon
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Mark Tyndall
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Calvin Lai
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver
| | - Julio Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
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Parkin S, Coomber R. Injecting drug user views (and experiences) of drug-related litter bins in public places: a comparative study of qualitative research findings obtained from UK settings. Health Place 2011; 17:1218-27. [PMID: 21865072 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Revised: 07/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This paper provides a comparative study of qualitative research concerning drug-related litter in community settings (associated with illicit drug use/rs) and of the modes of intervention (noted by municipal authorities in two different UK settings) aimed at reducing harm associated with this contemporary public health issue. More specifically, the paper focuses upon the views and experiences of 51 injecting drug users regarding DRL-bin provision, service uptake and connected events in the relevant settings. Comparative analysis of these qualitative experiences appears to confirm Fitzpatrick and LaGory's concept of 'place matters' in any consideration of applied, low threshold, health intervention. Accordingly, street-based, drug-related intervention within public settings needs to be culturally, environmentally, spatially and geographically relevant to the intended target population in order to have any meaningful benefit (e.g. reduced opportunities for needlestick injury in community settings), impact (e.g. improved community safety) and related outcome (e.g. service uptake by injecting drug users).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Parkin
- Drug and Alcohol Research Unit, School of Social Science and Social Work, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
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