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Pilarinos A, Fast D, Nosova E, Kwa Y, Joe R, Buxton JA, DeBeck K. Initiation of opioid agonist treatment and subsequent substance use and other patterns among adolescents and young adults in Vancouver, Canada. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 235:109441. [PMID: 35427979 PMCID: PMC9872979 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid agonist treatments (OAT) are effective interventions for reducing illicit opioid use; however, less is known about OAT among adolescents and young adults (AYA). This study sought to examine OAT retention and discontinuation among AYA. METHODS Data were derived from the At-Risk Youth Study, a prospective cohort of street-involved AYA in Vancouver, Canada, between September 2005 and December 2018. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was employed to identify sociodemographic, substance use, and other factors associated with time to first OAT. Substance use, homelessness, service utilization, and criminal justice patterns among AYA who did and did not initiate OAT were examined using before and after analysis. RESULTS Of 676 AYA who reported weekly illicit opioid use, 454 (67.2%) reported not being on OAT at some point over the study period and 217 (32.1%) initiated OAT over follow-up. In non-linear growth curve analysis, only participants retained in OAT demonstrated significant reductions in daily illicit opioid use when compared to 'no OAT' controls (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, reductions in homelessness (p = 0.070) and increases in difficulty accessing services (p = 0.078) were observed between participants retained in OAT vs. 'no OAT' controls, while reductions in homelessness (p = 0.085) and weekly non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) (p = 0.061) were observed between 'OAT discontinuers' vs. 'no OAT' controls. CONCLUSIONS Despite finding that OAT retention was associated with significant reductions in daily illicit opioid use, no significant improvements in other key indicators were observed. This underscores the importance of providing supports alongside OAT to improve treatment outcomes among AYA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pilarinos
- 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, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Danya Fast
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2914 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Nosova
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2914 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada
| | - Yandi Kwa
- Vancouver Coastal Health, 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1A1, Canada
| | - Ronald Joe
- Vancouver Coastal Health, 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1A1, Canada
| | - Jane A. Buxton
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Suite 3271, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada.
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, acceptability and potential stigma among medical and non-medical clinic staff in methadone treatment settings in northern New Jersey: The key role of non-medical staff in enhancing HIV prevention. J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 129:108371. [PMID: 34080542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV prevention is needed among people who use drugs (PWUD) due to mixing sex and drugs, selling/trading sex, and/or injecting drugs. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an extremely effective biomedical HIV prevention strategy, but uptake remains low among communities most in need of HIV prevention, including PWUD. Previous studies have found that providers are less willing to prescribe PrEP to PWUD, yet PWUD express high levels of PrEP acceptance. More research is needed to understand how people who provide substance use treatment services think about PrEP to maximize this biomedical prevention strategy. METHODS The study conducted semistructured interviews with 29 staff members in two methadone clinic settings in urban northern New Jersey. Staff members included medical providers, methadone counselors, intake coordinators, front desk staff, lab technicians, security guards, and administrative/leadership personnel. RESULTS All staff recognized the need for HIV prevention among their patient populations, but most were either unaware of PrEP or unfamiliar with its purpose and how it works. Medical providers were more likely to have some PrEP knowledge in comparison to counselors and other staff, but the former largely did not have in-depth knowledge. Among those familiar with PrEP, many confused PrEP with HIV medication, as Truvada was the only FDA-approved PrEP at the time of the study. About half of participants expressed clear support for PrEP, while the other half expressed mixed or negative attitudes related to HIV, sexual behavior, and mistrust of the medication. Both the positive and negative perceptions entailed stigmatizing elements. RECOMMENDATIONS Due to patients' frequent interactions with non-medical staff (e.g., front desk staff, lab technicians, etc.), all staff, not only medical personnel, should be aware of PrEP and comfortable discussing it to foster well-informed, nonjudgmental conversations about HIV prevention with patients. PrEP education should specifically address HIV and sexual-related stigma, as even positive perceptions of PrEP may entail stigmatizing elements.
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Reddon H, DeBeck K, Socias ME, Lake S, Dong H, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ. Frequent Cannabis Use Is Negatively Associated with Frequency of Injection Drug Use Among People Who Inject Drugs in a Canadian Setting. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2020; 6:435-445. [PMID: 33998862 DOI: 10.1089/can.2019.0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: High levels of morbidity and mortality associated with injection drug use continue to represent a significant public health challenge in many settings worldwide. Previous studies have shown an association between cannabis use and decreased risk of some drug-related harms. We sought to evaluate the association between high-intensity cannabis use and the frequency of injection drug use among people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods: The data for this analysis were collected from three prospective cohorts of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between September 2005 and May 2018. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the association between daily cannabis use and the frequency of injecting illegal drugs (i.e., self-reported average number of injections per month). Results: Among the 2,619 active PWID, the frequency of injection drug use was significantly lower among people who use cannabis daily compared with people who use it less than daily (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-0.95). Sub-analyses indicated that this effect was restricted to the frequency of illegal opioid injection (AOR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.68-0.90); the association between daily cannabis use and the frequency of illegal stimulant injection was not significant (AOR=1.08, 95% CI 0.93-1.25). Discussion: The findings from these prospective cohorts suggest that people who use cannabis daily were less likely to report daily injection of illegal drugs compared with people who use it less than daily. These results suggest the potential value of conducting experimental research to test whether controlled administration of cannabinoids impacts the frequency of illegal opioid injection among PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hudson Reddon
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Maria-Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stephanie Lake
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Huiru Dong
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health & Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Michael-John Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Townsend EA, Banks ML. Preclinical Evaluation of Vaccines to Treat Opioid Use Disorders: How Close are We to a Clinically Viable Therapeutic? CNS Drugs 2020; 34:449-461. [PMID: 32248427 PMCID: PMC7223115 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-020-00722-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing opioid crisis, now into its second decade, represents a global public health challenge. Moreover, the opioid crisis has manifested despite clinical access to three approved opioid use disorder medications: the full opioid agonist methadone, the partial opioid agonist buprenorphine, and the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Although current opioid use disorder medications are underutilized, the ongoing opioid crisis has also identified the need for basic research to develop both safer and more effective opioid use disorder medications. Emerging preclinical evidence suggests that opioid-targeted vaccines or immunopharmacotherapies may be promising opioid use disorder therapeutics. One premise for this article is to critically examine whether vaccine effectiveness evaluated using preclinical antinociceptive endpoints is predictive of vaccine effectiveness on abuse-related endpoints such as drug self-administration, drug discrimination, and conditioned place preference. A second premise is to apply decades of knowledge in the preclinical evaluation of candidate small-molecule therapeutics for opioid use disorder to the preclinical evaluation of candidate opioid use disorder immunopharmacotherapies. We conclude with preclinical experimental design attributes to enhance preclinical-to-clinical translatability and potential future directions for immunopharmacotherapies to address the dynamic illicit opioid environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th St, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th St, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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A decade of extreme oscillations in opioid control and availability: implications for public health in a Canadian setting. J Public Health Policy 2020; 41:214-220. [PMID: 32054979 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-019-00214-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We comment on developments in and impacts of medical opioid control and availability in the province of British Columbia (Canada). Population-level dispensing of (strong) prescription opioids doubled in 2005-2011, yet subsequently declined by half 2011-2018 following implementation of various opioid control measures. Notwithstanding this inversion, BC has featured the highest population rates of opioid-related mortality and morbidity in Canada. The erratic opioid availability patterns presumably facilitated major increases in opioid misuse, morbidity, and mortality. Tangible benefits for pain care from increased medical opioid availability remain un-evidenced. Rather, recent decreases in medical opioid dispensing have not been matched by equivalent reductions in demand for (non-)medical use yet have coincided with widespread proliferation of toxic, illicit opioid supply and related major increases in opioid-related mortality. These developments appear to have undermined rather than benefitted public health and offer a poignant case study in ineffective psychotropic drug control and public health policy towards preventing similar experiences elsewhere.
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Pilarinos A, Barker B, Nosova E, Milloy MJ, Hayashi K, Wood E, Kerr T, DeBeck K. Coercion into addiction treatment and subsequent substance use patterns among people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Addiction 2020; 115:97-106. [PMID: 31379008 PMCID: PMC6933075 DOI: 10.1111/add.14769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Many people who use drugs (PWUD) are coerced into receiving treatment. This study aimed to assess changes in substance use and related outcomes before versus after treatment in people coerced into treatment, voluntarily attending treatment or not attending treatment. DESIGN Data from three linked prospective cohort studies of PWUD were used. McNemar's test and non-linear growth curve modeling were employed to: (a) assess changes in substance use patterns before and after coerced addiction treatment and (b) compare these changes with changes in PWUD who (1) voluntarily accessed and (2) did not access treatment. SETTING Vancouver, Canada. PARTICIPANTS A total of 3196 community-recruited PWUD. MEASUREMENTS The outcome variables were substance use and related outcomes assessed by self-reported questionnaire. The input variable was self-reported coerced addiction treatment (defined as being forced into addiction treatment by a doctor or the criminal justice system), voluntary treatment versus no treatment. FINDINGS Between September 2005 and June 2015, 399 (12.5%) participants reported being coerced into addiction treatment. In McNemar's test, there were no statistically significant reductions in within-group substance use outcomes for people coerced into treatment, voluntarily attending treatment or not attending treatment. In non-linear growth curve analyses, there were no statistically significant differences in the before and after substance use patterns between those coerced into treatment versus either of the two control groups (all P > 0.05). In subanalyses, we found no statistically significant differences in substance use patterns between people who reported formal coerced treatment through the criminal justice system and people who reported informal coerced treatment through a physician. CONCLUSIONS Among PWUD in Vancouver, Canada, there appear to be no statistically significant improvements in substance use outcomes among those reporting coerced addiction treatment, those voluntarily accessing treatment, and those not attending treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pilarinos
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, 270-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Brittany Barker
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- First Nations Health Authority, 100 Park Royal S, West Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V7T 1A2
| | - Ekaterina Nosova
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Tenth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V5Z 1M9
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Room 11300, Blusson Hall, Burnaby, B.C., Canada, V5A 1S6
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Tenth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V5Z 1M9
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Tenth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V5Z 1M9
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Fourth Floor, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6Z 2A9
- School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, 3277-515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6B 5K3
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Cochran G, Chen Q, Field C, Seybert AL, Hruschak V, Jaber A, Gordon AJ, Tarter R. A community pharmacy-led intervention for opioid medication misuse: A small-scale randomized clinical trial. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 205:107570. [PMID: 31689641 PMCID: PMC6933550 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stemming the opioid epidemic requires testing novel interventions. Toward this goal, feasibility and acceptability of a Brief Motivational Intervention-Medication Therapy Management (BMI-MTM) intervention was examined along with its impact on medication misuse and concomitant health conditions. METHODS We conducted a two-group randomized trial in 2 community pharmacies. We screened patients for prescription opioid misuse at point-of-service using the Prescription Opioid Misuse Index. Participants were assigned to standard medication counseling (SMC) or SMC + BMI-MTM (referred to as BMI-MTM herein). BMI-MTM consists of a pharmacist-led medication counseling/brief motivational session and 8-weekly patient navigation sessions. Assessments were at baseline, 2-, and 3-months. Primary outcomes included feasibility, acceptability, and mitigation of opioid medication misuse. Secondary outcomes included pain and depression. Outcomes were analyzed with descriptive and multivariable statistics (intent-to-treat [ITT] and adjusted for number of sessions completed [NUMSESS]). RESULTS Thirty-two participants provided informed consent (74.4% consent rate; SMC n = 17, BMI-MTM n = 15; 3-month assessment retention ≥93%). Feasibility was demonstrated by all BMI-MTM recipients completing the pharmacist session and an average of 7 navigation sessions. BMI-MTM recipients indicated ≥4.2 (5 maximum) level of satisfaction with the pharmacist-led session, and 92.4% were satisfied with navigation sessions. Compared to SMC at 3-months, BMI-MTM recipients reported greater improvements in misuse (ITT: Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.35, p < 0.001. NUMSESS AOR = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.25; p < 0.001), pain (ITT: В = 8.8, 95% CI=-0.95, 18.5, p = 0.08; NUMSESS: В = 14.0, 95% CI = 3.28, 24.8, p = 0.01), and depression (ITT: B= -0.44; 95% CI=-0.65, -0.22; p < 0.001. NUMSESS B= -0.64; 95% CI=-0.82, -0.46; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS BMI-MTM is a feasible misuse intervention associated with superior satisfaction and outcomes than SMC. Future research should test BMI-MTM in a large-scale, fully-powered trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Cochran
- University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, 30 N 1900 E, Room 4C104, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, USA; University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work 2117 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
| | - Qi Chen
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work 2117 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
| | - Craig Field
- University of Texas, El Paso, Department of Psychology, Psychology Building, Room 112 500 W University, El Paso, Texas, 79902, USA.
| | - Amy L Seybert
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 3501 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| | - Valerie Hruschak
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work 2117 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
| | - Amanda Jaber
- Falk Pharmacy, UPMC 3601 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Adam J Gordon
- University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, 30 N 1900 E, Room 4C104, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, USA.
| | - Ralph Tarter
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3501 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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HIV Serostatus and Having Access to a Physician for Regular Hepatitis C Virus Care Among People Who Inject Drugs. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 78:93-98. [PMID: 29630030 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWIDs) and who are living with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are vulnerable to a range of health-related harms, including liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. There is limited evidence describing how HIV serostatus shapes access to a physician for regular HCV care among PWID. SETTING Data were collected through the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS), the AIDS Care Cohort to evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), and the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS), 3 prospective cohorts involving people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada, between 2005 and 2015. METHODS Using generalized estimating equations, we examined the relationship between HIV-seropositivity and having access to a physician for regular HCV care. We conducted a mediation analysis to examine whether this association was mediated by increased frequency of engagement in health care. RESULTS In total, 1627 HCV-positive PWID were eligible for analysis; 582 (35.8%) were HIV-positive at baseline; and 31 (1.9%) became HIV-positive during follow-up. In multivariable analyses, after adjusting for a range of confounders, HIV serostatus [adjusted odds ratio = 1.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.77 to 2.24] was significantly associated with having access to HCV care. Approximately 26% of the effect was due to mediation. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate a positive relationship between HIV-seropositivity and having access to a physician for regular HCV care, which is partially explained through increased frequency of engagement in health care. These findings highlight the need to address patterns of inequality in access to HCV care among PWID.
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Gicquelais RE, Foxman B, Coyle J, Eisenberg MC. Hepatitis C transmission in young people who inject drugs: Insights using a dynamic model informed by state public health surveillance. Epidemics 2019; 27:86-95. [PMID: 30930214 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing injection of heroin and prescription opioids have led to increases in the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in US young adults since the early 2000s. How best to interrupt transmission and decrease HCV prevalence in young people who inject drugs (PWID) is uncertain. We developed an age-stratified ordinary differential equation HCV transmission model of PWID aged 15-64, which we fit to Michigan HCV surveillance data among young PWID aged 15-29. We used Latin hypercube sampling to fit to data under 10,000 plausible model parameterizations. We used the best-fitting 10% of simulations to predict the potential impact of primary (reducing injection initiation), secondary (increasing cessation, reducing injection partners, or reducing injection drug use relapse), and tertiary (HCV treatment) interventions (over the period 2017-2030) on acute and chronic HCV cases by the year 2030. Treating 3 per 100 current and former PWID per year could reduce chronic HCV by 27.3% (range: 18.7-30.3%) and acute HCV by 23.6% (range: 6.7-29.5%) by 2030 among PWID aged 15-29 if 90% are cured (i.e. achieved sustained virologic response [SVR] to treatment). Reducing the number of syringe sharing partners per year by 10% was predicted to reduce chronic HCV by 15.7% (range: 9.4-23.8%) and acute cases by 21.4% (range: 14.2-32.3%) among PWID aged 15-29 by 2030. In simulations of combinations of interventions, reducing injection initiation, syringe sharing, and relapse rates each by 10% while increasing cessation rates by 10% predicted a 27.7% (range: 18.0-39.7%) reduction in chronic HCV and a 38.4% (range: 28.3-53.3%) reduction in acute HCV. Our results highlight the need for HCV treatment among both current and former PWID and the scale up of both primary and secondary interventions to concurrently reduce HCV prevalence and incidence in Michigan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Gicquelais
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Betsy Foxman
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - Joseph Coyle
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 320 S Walnut St, Lansing, MI 48933, United States.
| | - Marisa C Eisenberg
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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Sutter A, Curtis M, Frost T. Public drug use in eight U.S. cities: Health risks and other factors associated with place of drug use. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 64:62-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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11
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Bruneau J, Arruda N, Zang G, Jutras-Aswad D, Roy É. The evolving drug epidemic of prescription opioid injection and its association with HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Montréal, Canada. Addiction 2019; 114:366-373. [PMID: 30399197 DOI: 10.1111/add.14487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To examine temporal trends in prescription opioid (PO) injection and to assess its association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroconversion among people who inject drugs (PWID). DESIGN Prospective cohort study spanning 2004 to 2016. SETTING Montréal, Canada. PARTICIPANTS PWID reporting injection during the past 6 months. MEASUREMENTS PWID were recruited between 2004 and 2016. At each 3-6-month follow-up visit, participants completed interview-administered questionnaires and were tested for HCV-antibody. FINDINGS Among 1524 PWID [83% males, mean age 38 years, standard deviation (SD) = 10, 34% (31-36) prescription opioid (PO) injection past month] included in trends analyses, PO injection use expanded between 2004 and 2009, and plateaued between 2010 and 2016 (trend tests < 0.001 and 0.335, respectively). Of the 432 HCV-seronegative PWIDs followed at least once (81% males, mean age 34, SD 9.8, 38% injection PO), 153 became HCV-antibody-positive during 1230 years of follow-up, for an incidence of 12.4 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 10.6, 14.6]. PO injectors were 3.9 times more likely to seroconvert to HCV, relative to non-PO injectors. In a multivariate analysis, a stronger association between PO injection and HCV seroconversion was found post-2009 [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 5.4, 95% CI = 2.7, 10.8] than before (aHR = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.9, 2.4) (P-value for interaction = 0.001). CONCLUSION Prescription opioid injection increased among people who inject drugs in Montréal, Canada from 2004 to 2009, to reach a plateau between 2010 and 2016. The association between prescription opioid injection and HCV seroconversion was stronger during the second period than the first according to the epidemic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Bruneau
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nelson Arruda
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, QC, Canada
| | - Geng Zang
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Élise Roy
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, QC, Canada.,Institut National de Santé Publique, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Cheng T, Small W, Dong H, Nosova E, Hayashi K, DeBeck K. An age-based analysis of nonmedical prescription opioid use among people who use illegal drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2018; 13:41. [PMID: 30482215 PMCID: PMC6260714 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-018-0180-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is a serious public health problem in North America. At a population-level, previous research has identified differences in the prevalence and correlates of NMPOU among younger versus older age groups; however, less is known about age-related differences in NMPOU among people who use illegal drugs. METHODS Data were collected between 2013 and 2015 from two linked prospective cohort studies in Vancouver, Canada: the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS) and the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). Factors independently associated with NMPOU among younger (ARYS) and older (VIDUS) participants were examined separately using bivariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations. RESULTS A total of 1162 participants were included. Among 405 eligible younger participants (Median age = 25; Inter-Quartile Range [IQR]: 22-28), 40% (n = 160) reported engaging in NMPOU at baseline; among 757 older participants (Median age = 48, IQR: 40-55), 35% (n = 262) reported engaging in NMPOU at baseline. In separate multivariate analyses of younger and older participants, NMPOU was positively and independently associated with heroin use (younger: Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.12, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.08-4.68; older: AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 2.08-3.74), drug dealing (younger: AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.58-3.13; older: AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.40-2.49), and difficulty accessing services (younger: AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.04-2.09; older: AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.32-2.29). Among the youth cohort only, NMPOU was associated with younger age (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.19), crack use (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.06-2.30), and binge drug use (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.00-1.97); older participants who engaged in NMPOU were more likely to report crystal methamphetamine use (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.46-2.66), non-fatal overdose (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.20-2.60) and sex work (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.00-2.22). DISCUSSION The prevalence of NMPOU is similar among younger and older people who use drugs, and independently associated with markers of vulnerability among both age groups. Adults who engage in NMPOU are at risk for non-fatal overdose, which highlights the need for youth and adult-specific strategies to address NMPOU that include better access to health and social services, as well as a range of addiction treatment options for opioid use. Findings also underscore the importance of improving pain treatment strategies tailored for PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Cheng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Providence Health Care, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Will Small
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Providence Health Care, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, SFU Faculty of Health Sciences, 515 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Canada
| | - Huiru Dong
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Providence Health Care, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Ekaterina Nosova
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Providence Health Care, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Providence Health Care, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Providence Health Care, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
- School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Suite 3271, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Canada
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PET Imaging Reveals Brain Metabolic Changes in Adolescent Rats Following Chronic Escalating Morphine Administration. Mol Imaging Biol 2018; 20:993-1000. [DOI: 10.1007/s11307-018-1188-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Patterns of Non-injection Drug Use Associated with Injection Cessation among Street-Involved Youth in Vancouver, Canada. J Urban Health 2018; 95:267-277. [PMID: 29423896 PMCID: PMC5906385 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-017-0225-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Although abstinence from drug use is often a key goal of youth substance use treatment, transitioning to less harmful routes and types of drug use is desirable from both a clinical and public health perspective. Despite this, little is known about the trajectories of youth who inject drugs including changes in patterns of non-injection drug use. The At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS) is a longitudinal cohort of street-involved youth who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. We used linear growth curve modeling to compare changes in non-injection drug use among participants who ceased injecting drugs for at least one 6-month period between September 2005 and May 2015 to matched controls who continued injecting over the same period. Of 387 eligible participants, 173 (44.7%) reported ceasing drug injection at least once. Non-injection drug use occurred during 160 (79.6%) periods of injection cessation. In adjusted linear growth curve analyses, the only non-injection drug use pattern observed to decrease significantly more than controls following injection cessation was daily crack/cocaine use (p = 0.024). With the exception of frequent crack/cocaine use, transitions out of injection drug use did not appear to coincide with increased reductions in patterns of non-injection drug use. Our findings indicate that most (80%) of the observed injection cessation events occurred in the context of ongoing substance use. Given that transitioning out of drug injection represents a significant reduction in risk and harm, efforts supporting vulnerable youth to move away from injecting may benefit from approaches that allow for ongoing non-injection drug use.
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Labay LM, Catanese CA. Illicit Drug Delivery Via Administration of Human Blood. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:644-647. [PMID: 28580580 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The physiological, psychological, and social consequences associated with illicit drug use are well documented. In addition to the effects directly related to the drug(s), the delivery mechanism can precipitate other serious health conditions. A case is reported where an individual stopped by law enforcement was discovered to be in possession of a vial containing a red-colored fluid, which the person stated was blood and contained fentanyl. Analysis by headspace GC, ELISA, and LC-TOF/MS screening in with mass spectral confirmation revealed the presence of several substances, including ethanol, methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDA, 6-monoacetylmorphine, codeine, morphine, alprazolam, delta-9 THC, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine; serology testing verified the fluid was consistent with human blood. Methamphetamine was present at a dosage form amount (11 mg). The purpose of this study was to detail the analytical findings, interpret their meaning, and discuss the public health concerns associated with the drug delivery by the administration of human blood.
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Fischer B, Rehm J. Revisiting the ‘paradigm shift’ in opioid use: Developments and implications 10 years later. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017; 37 Suppl 1:S199-S202. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Fischer
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science; and Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Faculty of Health Sciences; Simon Fraser University; Vancouver Canada
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science; and Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
- Institute of Medical Science; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
- Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie; TU Dresden; Dresden Germany
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