1
|
Dunham K, Rivas C, Medina Blanco P, Kolod B, Salvati C, Clark K, Sue KL, Hagaman A, Weiss JJ. "It's Like A Partnership": Exploring the Primary Care Experiences and Patient-Defined Goals of People Who Use Drugs. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:1681-1689. [PMID: 38578536 PMCID: PMC11255174 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08743-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary care is an important yet underutilized resource in addressing the overdose crisis. Previous studies have identified important aspects of primary care for people who use drugs (PWUD) and have found patient involvement in healthcare decisions and goal-setting to be especially critical. However, there has been limited research describing the primary care goals of PWUD. In harm reduction settings, where it is imperative that PWUD set their own goals, this research gap becomes especially relevant. OBJECTIVE To explore how PWUD navigate primary care with a focus on understanding their primary care goals. DESIGN A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS PWUD currently engaged in primary care at the Respectful and Equitable Access to Comprehensive Healthcare (REACH) Program, a harm reduction-based primary care program in New York City. APPROACH Between June 2022 and August 2022, we conducted 17 semi-structured interviews. Informed by phenomenology, transcripts were coded using both inductive and deductive codes and themes were developed using thematic analysis approaches. KEY RESULTS Phenomenological analysis identified four core components that, together, created an experience that participants described as "a partnership" between patient and provider: (1) patient-provider collaboration around patient-defined healthcare goals; (2) support provided by harm reduction-based approaches to primary care anchored in incrementalism and flexibility; (3) care teams' ability to address healthcare system fragmentation; and (4) the creation of social connections through primary care. This holistic partnership fostered positive primary care experiences and supported participants' self-defined care goals, thereby facilitating meaningful care outcomes. CONCLUSIONS To best meet the primary care goals of PWUD, these findings underscore the importance of primary care providers and programs facilitating such partnerships through organizational-level support anchored in harm reduction. Future research should explore how these experiences in primary care affect patient health outcomes, ultimately shaping best practices in the provision of high-quality primary care for PWUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Dunham
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Catherine Rivas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Paula Medina Blanco
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Betty Kolod
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Carli Salvati
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Katie Clark
- Clark Health Education and Research Solutions, Branford, USA
| | - Kimberly L Sue
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Ashley Hagaman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Weiss
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee A, Jafri F, Viste D, Seo B, Skiber D, Medwid M, Ghosh SM. Perceptions of Overdose Response Hotlines and Phone Application Services Among Women and Gender-diverse Individuals Who Use Drugs in Canada: A Qualitative Study. J Addict Med 2024:01271255-990000000-00316. [PMID: 38785357 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2021, opioid-related deaths have increased by 96% and continue to be higher than prepandemic levels. In particular, women and gender-diverse individuals face numerous challenges when assessing harm reduction supports, including physical supervised consumption sites, compared with male counterparts. Mobile overdose response services (MORSs) including overdose response hotlines and phone-based overdose response applications are novel virtual overdose response technologies that may help mitigate this issue. This study aims to explore how women and gender-diverse individuals engage with and perceive these services. METHODS A qualitative study using grounded theory was conducted. Using existing peer networks and purposive and snowball sampling between March and July 2023, 19 semistructured interviews were conducted with women and gender-diverse individuals in Canada who have lived experience using substances. NVivo was used for thematic analysis, which continued until saturation was reached. RESULTS The interviews elucidated the following 5 themes: Overdose response hotlines and applications were generally preferred over supervised consumption sites due to (1) perceived gender-based safety; (2) better accommodation for mothers concerned with stigma, childcare, and child welfare systems; and (3) eased accessibility for those involved in sex work. It was also noted that (4) judgment-free spaces and trauma-informed care provided by staff with lived experiences were invaluable, and (5) decriminalization of illicit substances will encourage uptake of these harm reduction services. CONCLUSION This study found that women and gender-diverse individuals felt positively toward overdose response hotlines and applications with the potential to fill a need in providing harm reduction services that create feelings of safety, support roles of motherhood and sex work, and generate nonstigmatizing spaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lee
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (AL, FJ, SMG); Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (DV, BS, SMG); BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (DS); and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada (MM)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mitra S, Kerr T, Cui Z, Gilbert M, Fleury M, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ, Richardson L. Patterns of Socioeconomic Marginalization among People Who Use Drugs: A Gender-Stratified Repeated Measures Latent Class Analysis. J Urban Health 2024; 101:402-425. [PMID: 38472731 PMCID: PMC11052948 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00828-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Socioeconomic factors are important correlates of drug use behaviors and health-related outcomes in people who use drugs (PWUD) residing in urban areas. However, less is known about the complex overlapping nature of socioeconomic conditions and their association with a range of individual, drug use, and health-related factors in men and women who use drugs. Data were obtained from two community-recruited prospective cohorts of PWUD. Using a gender-stratified approach, we conducted repeated measures latent class analyses (RMLCA) to identify discrete latent socioeconomic subgroups. Multivariable generalized estimating equations were then used to identify correlates of class membership. Between June 2014 and December 2018, RMLCA of 9844 observations from 1654 participants revealed five distinct patterns of socioeconomic status for both men and women. These patterns were primarily distinguished by variations in income, material and housing security, income generation activity, exposure to violence, criminal justice involvement, and police contact. Across gender, progressive increases in exposure to multiple dimensions of socioeconomic disadvantage were found to be associated with frequent use of opioids and stimulants, accessing social services, and being hepatitis C virus antibody-positive. Similar but less congruent trends across gender were observed for age, binge drug use, engagement with opioid agonist therapy, and living with HIV. Gendered patterns of multiple and overlapping dimensions of socioeconomic adversity aligned with patterns of frequent drug use and health-related concerns, highlighting priority areas for gender-inclusive, multilevel responses to mitigate health disparities and meet the diverse socioeconomic needs of urban-dwelling men and women who use drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Mitra
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mark Gilbert
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Mathew Fleury
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lindsey Richardson
- British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
- Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harris MTH, Laks J, Hurstak E, Jain JP, Lambert AM, Maschke AD, Bagley SM, Farley J, Coffin PO, McMahan VM, Barrett C, Walley AY, Gunn CM. "If you're strung out and female, they will take advantage of you": A qualitative study exploring drug use and substance use service experiences among women in Boston and San Francisco. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 157:209190. [PMID: 37866442 PMCID: PMC11040599 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant disparities in substance use severity and treatment persist among women who use drugs compared to men. Thus, we explored how identifying as a woman was related to drug use and treatment experiences. METHODS The study recruited participants for a qualitative interview study in Boston and San Francisco from January-November 2020. Self-identified women, age ≥ 18 years, with nonprescribed opioid use in the past 14 days were eligible for inclusion. The study team developed deductive codes based on intersectionality theory and inductive codes generated from transcript review, and identified themes using grounded content analysis. RESULTS The study enrolled thirty-six participants. The median age was 46; 58 % were White, 16 % were Black, 14 % were Hispanic, and 39 % were unstably housed. Other drug use was common with 81 % reporting benzodiazepine, 50 % cocaine, and 31 % meth/amphetamine use respectively. We found that gender (i.e., identifying as a woman) intersected with drug use and sex work practices and exacerbated experiences of marginalization. Violence was ubiquitous in drug use environments. Some women reported experiences of gender-based violence in substance use service settings that perpetuated cycles of trauma and reinforced barriers to care. Substance use services that were women-led, safe, and responsive to women's needs were valued and sought after. CONCLUSION Women reported a cycle of trauma and drug use exacerbated by oppression in substance use services settings. In addition to increasing access to gender-responsive care, our study highlights the need for greater research and examination of practices within substance use service settings that may be contributing to gender-based violence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T H Harris
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Jordana Laks
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Emily Hurstak
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Jennifer P Jain
- School of Nursing and Department of Community Health Systems at the University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Audrey M Lambert
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Ariel D Maschke
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Sarah M Bagley
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - John Farley
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Phillip O Coffin
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Vanessa M McMahan
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Cynthia Barrett
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Alexander Y Walley
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Christine M Gunn
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Robinson K, Laing A, Choi J, Richardson L. Effect of modified income assistance payment schedules on substance use service access: Evidence from an experimental study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 124:104293. [PMID: 38183858 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite being critical to reducing the impacts of poverty internationally, synchronized monthly government income assistance payments are linked to intensified drug use and associated harms, including disrupted access to substance use-related services. This study evaluates whether alternative income assistance distribution schedules improve harm reduction (HR), pharmacotherapy and substance use service utilization. METHODS This exploratory, parallel group, unblinded, randomized controlled trial analyzed data from adults (n = 192) in Vancouver, Canada receiving income assistance, and reporting active, regular illicit drug use. Participants were randomly assigned on a 1:2:2 basis for six income assistance payment cycles to: (1) existing government schedules (control); (2) a "staggered" single monthly payment; or (3) "split & staggered" twice-monthly payments. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed secondary outcomes of HR, pharmacotherapy and substance use service utilization as well as barriers accessing these services. RESULTS Forty-five control, 71 staggered, and 76 split & staggered volunteers participated between 2015 and 2019. Multivariable modified per-protocol analyses demonstrate increased access to substance use services (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.64, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02-2.64) for split & staggered arm participants, and, conversely, increased barriers to HR for participants in the staggered (AOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.24-4.41) and split & staggered (AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.08-4.35) arms. Results also showed decreased barriers to pharmacotherapy around government payments (AOR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.90), pharmacotherapy around individual payments (AOR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.58), and HR around individual payments (AOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.63) for staggered arm participants. CONCLUSION Modifying payments schedules demonstrate improved access to overall substance use services, and reduced barriers to HR and pharmacotherapy around income assistance payments. However, increased overall barriers to HR access were also shown. These complex, predominantly beneficial findings support the exploration of offering alternative payment schedules to support service access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaye Robinson
- Providence Health Care, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Allison Laing
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Sociology, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - JinCheol Choi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Lindsey Richardson
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Sociology, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moreheart S, Shannon K, Krüsi A, McDermid J, Ettinger E, Braschel M, Goldenberg SM. Negative changes in illicit drug supply during COVID-19: Associations with use of overdose prevention and health services among women sex workers who use drugs (2020-2021). THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 121:104212. [PMID: 37797570 PMCID: PMC10798550 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women sex workers are a highly criminalized population who are over-represented amongst people who use drugs (PWUD) and face gaps in overdose prevention and harm reduction services. British Columbia, Canada continues to face a pronounced drug poisoning crisis of the illicit drug supply, which has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to examine the prevalence and structural correlates of experiencing negative changes in illicit drug supply (e.g., availability, quality, cost, or access to drugs) amongst women sex workers who use drugs during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Cross-sectional questionnaire data were drawn from a prospective, community-based cohort of women sex workers in Vancouver (AESHA) from April 2020 to 2021. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate structural correlates of negative changes in drug supply during COVID-19 among sex workers who use drugs. RESULTS Among 179 sex workers who use drugs, 68.2% reported experiencing negative changes to drug supply during COVID-19, 54.2% recently accessed overdose prevention sites, and 44.7% reported experiencing recent healthcare barriers. In multivariable analysis adjusted for injection drug use, women who reported negative changes in illicit drug supply had higher odds of experiencing recent healthcare barriers (AOR 2.28, 95%CI 1.12-4.62); those recently accessing overdose prevention sites (AOR 1.75, 95%CI 0.86-3.54) faced marginally higher odds also. CONCLUSIONS Over two-thirds of participants experienced negative changes to illicit drug supply during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The association between experiencing negative changes in the illicit drug supply and accessing overdose prevention services highlights the agency of women in taking measures to address overdose-related risks. Highly criminalized women who experience structural barriers to direct services are also vulnerable to fluctuations in the illicit drug supply. Attenuating health consequences requires interventions tailored to sex workers' needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Moreheart
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Kate Shannon
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Andrea Krüsi
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jennifer McDermid
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Emma Ettinger
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Melissa Braschel
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Shira Miriam Goldenberg
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-4162, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ghosh A, Jerkovic D, Ignjatova LA, Bruguera C, Ibrahim DI, Okulicz-Kozaryn K, Maphisa JM, Martinelli TF, Neto A, Canedo J, Gordon R. Drug policies' sensitivity towards women, pregnancy, and motherhood: a content analysis of national policy and programs from nine countries and their adherence to international guidelines. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2023; 18:53. [PMID: 37684636 PMCID: PMC10485932 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-023-00410-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Substance use in women is associated with unique psycho-social and physical vulnerabilities and poses complex challenges during pregnancy and motherhood. Gender-sensitive drug policy which considers the needs of women and their children could address these concerns. The objectives of this study were: (1) to systematically explore national-level drug policies' sensitivity and responsiveness to women, pregnant women, and children; and (2) to examine the adherence of drug policies with international guidelines for gender sensitivity in drug policy. METHODS The research team was diverse professional backgrounds and nine countries. A summative content analysis of national drug policy documents, action plans, and strategies was performed. Specific documents focusing on women, pregnancy, and children were analysed. Specific themes and how frequently they appeared in the documents were identified. This quantification was an attempt to explore usage indicating the relative focus of the policies. A thematic map was developed to understand how national-level drug policies conceive and address specific concerns related to women who use drugs. We adapted the UNODC checklist for gender mainstreaming to assess policies' adherence to international guidelines. RESULTS Twenty published documents from nine countries were reviewed. The common themes that emerged for women, pregnancy, and children were needs assessment, prevention, treatment, training, supply reduction, and collaboration and coordination. Custody of children was a unique theme for pregnant women. Specific psycho-social concerns and social reintegration were special themes for women, whereas legislation, harm reduction, research, and resource allocation were children-specific additional themes. For women-specific content analysis, special issues/concerns in women with drug misuse, need assessment, and prevention were the three most frequent themes; for the children-specific policies, prevention, training, and treatment comprised the three most occurring themes. For pregnant women/pregnancy, prevention, treatment, and child custody were the highest occurring themes. According to ratings of the countries' policies, there is limited adherence to international guidelines which ensure activities are in sync with the specific needs of women, pregnant women and their children. CONCLUSION Our analysis should help policymakers revise, update and adapt national policies to ensure they are gender-responsive and address the needs of women, pregnant women and their children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Ghosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Dijana Jerkovic
- Department of Criminology, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Carla Bruguera
- Program on Substance Abuse, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dalia I. Ibrahim
- Mental Health and Addiction Treatment-Ministry of Health and Population-Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | | | - Ana Neto
- Unidade de Alcoologia de Lisboa, DICAD, ARSLVT, IP, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Canedo
- Development Studies (ICS-IUL, FCT), EuroNPUD, GAT Manas, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rebecca Gordon
- Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mayer S, Boyd J, Fairbairn N, Chapman J, Brohman I, Jenkins E, McNeil R. Women's experiences in injectable opioid agonist treatment programs in Vancouver, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 117:104054. [PMID: 37192557 PMCID: PMC10330495 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) has recently been expanded in some geographical contexts in Canada as part of a response to the escalating overdose crisis. Complex gendered dynamics, including power differentials, violence, and social norms, shape the overdose crisis and drug treatment programs which can adversely impact women's experiences. This qualitative study examines how social (e.g., gender, income, housing) and structural factors (e.g., program policies) impact women's experiences of iOAT. METHODS Qualitative interviews were completed with 16 women enrolled in four iOAT programs in Vancouver, Canada. Approximately 50 hours of ethnographic observations were conducted. Interview transcripts and ethnographic fieldnotes were analyzed using a critical feminist lens by applying the concepts of embodiment, relationality, and social control to understand women's engagement and self-reported treatment outcomes. RESULTS Initial iOAT engagement was a relational process, including initiating treatment with a partner and engaging with iOAT to (re)build personal relationships. Relationships with iOAT providers, including flexibility and support with medication administration, were important to women, providing an affirming embodied experience and a greater sense of agency. However, program operations (e.g., mandated daily attendance, program crowding) incompatible with women's needs (e.g., employment) could undermine these positive experiences. Women's reported outcomes highlight a tension between achieving more agency and the constraints of intensive and stigmatized treatment. CONCLUSION This study highlights how iOAT is both a source of care and control for women from a relational and embodied perspective. Findings underscore the need for gender-attentive and flexible drug treatment services to meet the varied needs of women and the importance of providing relational care for women accessing iOAT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samara Mayer
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 717 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, 170-6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 717 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 717 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jules Chapman
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 717 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Isabella Brohman
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 717 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall. Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Ryan McNeil
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 717 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, 06510, United States; Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, 06510, United States; Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, 06510, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Harris MT, Goldenberg S, Cui Z, Fairbairn N, Milloy MJS, Hayashi K, Samet JH, Walley AY, Nolan S. Association of sex work and social-structural factors with non-fatal overdose among women who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 112:103950. [PMID: 36640591 PMCID: PMC9974922 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who use drugs (WWUD) and engage in sex work experience disproportionate sex- and drug-related harms, such as HIV, however comparatively little is known about their overdose risk. Therefore, we examined the association between sex work and overdose and secondarily explored the association of social-structural factors, such as policing and gendered violence, with overdose. METHODS Data were derived from two community cohort studies based in Vancouver, Canada between 2005 to 2018. We used logistic regression with GEE to examine the associations between a) sex work and nonfatal overdose and b) social-structural and individual variables with overdose among WWUD who engaged in sex work during the study. Sex work, overdose, and other variables were time-updated, captured every six months. RESULTS Among 857 WWUD included, 56% engaged in sex work during the study. Forty-three percent of WWUD engaged in sex work had at least one overdose compared to 26% of WWUD who did not. Sex work was not significantly associated with an increased odds of overdose (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.93-1.40). In the exploratory analysis amongst 476 WWUD engaged in sex work, social-structural variables associated with overdose in the multivariable model included exposure to: punitive policing (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.30-2.96) and physical or sexual violence (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.88-3.46). CONCLUSIONS WWUD engaged in sex work had an increased overdose burden that may be driven by social-structural factors rather than sex work itself. Interventions that address policing and gendered violence represent potential targets for effective overdose prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Th Harris
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Shira Goldenberg
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA; Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 553B-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 553B-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 553B-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - M-J S Milloy
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 553B-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 553B-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Alexander Y Walley
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 553B-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bardwell G, Mansoor M, Van Zwietering A, Cleveland E, Snell D, Kerr T. The "goldfish bowl": a qualitative study of the effects of heightened surveillance on people who use drugs in a rural and coastal Canadian setting. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:136. [PMID: 36476225 PMCID: PMC9730691 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00725-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research has focused on contextual factors that shape health and well-being of people who use drugs (PWUD). However, most of this research focuses on large cities and less is known about the effects of social and structural contexts on drug use and associated risks in rural Canadian settings. Therefore, we undertook this study to examine rural-specific contextual factors that affect the day-to-day experiences of PWUD. METHODS Twenty-seven qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with PWUD in a rural and coastal setting in British Columbia, Canada. Participants had to be ≥ 19 years old, used illegal opioids and/or stimulants regularly, and lived in the qathet region. Interview transcripts were coded based on themes identified by the research team. RESULTS Participants described progressive shifts in politics and culture in the qathet region while also identifying resource scarcity, homelessness, and changes in the drug supply, where illicit drug contents have become highly toxic and unpredictable. Participants discussed the qualities of a small community where everyone knows each other and there is a lack of privacy and confidentiality around drug use, which resulted in experiences of stigma, discrimination, and surveillance. Participants also reported rural-specific policing issues and experiences of surveillance on ferries when traveling to larger cities to purchase drugs. This led to significantly higher drug prices for PWUD due to the time dedication and criminalized risks associated with drug possession and trafficking. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate the unique experiences faced by PWUD in a rural and coastal setting. The "goldfish bowl" effect in this rural community created heightened social and structural surveillance of PWUD, which led to a variety of negative consequences. There is a clear need for interventions to address the larger contextual drivers affecting people who use drugs in rural settings, including decriminalization and peer-led anti-stigma strategies, in order to improve the lives of PWUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Bardwell
- grid.46078.3d0000 0000 8644 1405School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Canada ,grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Manal Mansoor
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Ashley Van Zwietering
- qathet Community Action Team, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada
| | - Ellery Cleveland
- qathet Community Action Team, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada ,Lift Community Services of qathet Society, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada
| | - Dan Snell
- qathet Community Action Team, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada ,Lift Community Services of qathet Society, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada ,Substance Users Society Teaching Advocacy Instead of Neglect (SUSTAIN), 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hayes BT, Favaro J, Behrends CN, Coello D, Jakubowski A, Fox AD. NEXT: description, rationale, and evaluation of a novel internet-based mail-delivered syringe service program. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2022; 29:129-135. [PMID: 38577252 PMCID: PMC10994146 DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2022.2144500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Despite proven health benefits, harm reduction services provided through in-person syringe services programs (SSPs) and pharmacies are largely unavailable to most people who inject drugs (PWID). Internet-based mail-delivered harm reduction services could overcome barriers to in-person SSPs. This manuscript describes Needle Exchange Technology (NEXT) Harm Reduction, the first formal internet-based mail delivery SSP in the US. Methods We examined the trajectory of NEXT's growth between February 2018 and August 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize program participants. All analysis were run using STATA statistical software. Results Over the course of 42 months, 1,669 unique participants enrolled in NEXT. The program distributed 1,648,162 total syringes with a median of 79,449 syringes per month. Most participants ordered multiple times (61%); 31% had more 5 or more orders (upper range = 48 orders). The total number of syringes per month and total number of first-time syringe orders per month increased steadily over time, particularly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions The online platform and mail-delivery model appears successful in reaching PWID at high risk for harms from IDU. Changes to state laws and additional funding support are needed to make mail-delivery harm reduction more widely available throughout the US.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin T. Hayes
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Jakubowski
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Aaron D. Fox
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Macmadu A, Frueh L, Collins AB, Newman R, Barnett NP, Rich JD, Clark MA, Marshall BDL. Drug use behaviors, trauma, and emotional affect following the overdose of a social network member: A qualitative investigation. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 107:103792. [PMID: 35816791 PMCID: PMC9462427 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scant research has examined the influence of overdoses occurring in social networks (i.e., knowing someone who has overdosed) on individual overdose risk. We sought to characterize drug use behaviors of individuals following the overdose of someone in their social network. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 people who use drugs and knew someone who overdosed in the prior 90 days. All interviews were conducted in person in Rhode Island from July to October 2021. Data were stratified by drug use behaviors following the overdose of a network member (i.e., risk behaviors, protective behaviors, no change; selected a priori) and analyzed using a thematic analysis variation to identify salient themes. RESULTS We identified variation in the effect of knowing someone who overdosed on subsequent drug use behaviors and emotional affect. Several participants described increasing their drug use or using more types of drugs than usual to manage feelings of bereavement and trauma, and a subset of these participants described increased drug use with suicidal intention and increased suicidal ideations following the overdose event. Other participants described reducing their drug use and engaging in protective behaviors in response to heightened perceived overdose risk, protection motivation (i.e., increased motivation to protect oneself), and concern for others. Additionally, some participants reported no change in drug use behaviors, and these participants described already engaging in harm reduction practices, feeling desensitized due to frequent or repeated exposure to overdose, and ambivalence about living. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest a need for enhanced investment in network-based overdose prevention interventions, as well as more robust integration of bereavement support and mental health services in settings that serve people who use drugs. The findings also suggest a need for future research to identify mediators of the effect of overdose occurring in social networks on individual overdose risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria Macmadu
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lisa Frueh
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra B Collins
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Roxxanne Newman
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nancy P Barnett
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Josiah D Rich
- The Center for Health + Justice Transformation, The Miriam Hospital, 1125 North Main Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Melissa A Clark
- Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
COVID-19 and the opportunity for gender-responsive virtual and remote substance use treatment and harm reduction services. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 108:103815. [PMID: 35969920 PMCID: PMC9359504 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the uptake of virtual and remote service delivery in the substance use field, which was previously uncommon. This swift uptake of virtual services provides an opportunity to improve service design to meet the diverse needs of women and gender-diverse people. Such services have the potential to better meet the needs of women and gender-diverse people by allowing for increased choice, control, and autonomy, enabling empowerment, facilitating greater considerations of power relations, violence, childcare responsibilities, and fostering greater inclusion of trans and non-binary people. This commentary aims to identify how virtual and remote delivery of substance use treatment and harm reduction services can be gender-responsive. We highlight the role gender transformative services play in meeting the unique needs of women and gender-diverse people who use drugs both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. By using the unique window of opportunity COVID-19 has created to develop and deliver gender-transformative programs, we can help address the detrimental gaps in service accessibility and effectiveness that have persistently been experienced by women and gender-diverse people who use drugs.
Collapse
|
14
|
Scheidell JD, Hoff L, Khan MR, Bennett AS, Elliott L. Parenting and childcare responsibilities, harm reduction service engagement, and opioid overdose among women and men who use illicit opioids in New York City. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2022; 3. [PMID: 35757568 PMCID: PMC9224239 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Little is known regarding relationships among parenting, engagement in harm reduction services, and overdose risk among people who use illicit opioids (PWUIO), and whether associations differ by gender. Methods: Using baseline data from an ongoing study among PWUIO in New York City (n = 575), we measured childcare factors (i.e., residing with children, avoidance of drug treatment for fear of child welfare, difficulty accessing harm reduction due to childcare issues), and harm reduction services and overdose-related outcomes. Among those with children, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) using modified Poisson regression with a product-interaction term for gender differences. Results: In the total sample (n = 575), approximately 70% reported having children. Compared to men, women were more likely to reside with children (25% vs 36%; p-value = 0.04), avoid treatment for fear of child welfare (16% vs 26%; p-value = 0.04), and less likely to be trained in naloxone administration (68% vs 61%; p-value = 0.09). Among participants with children (n = 403), residing with children was associated with naloxone training among men (aPR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.62). Avoiding treatment for fear of child welfare was associated with carrying naloxone overall (aPR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.99), with a stronger association among women (aPR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.92). Difficulty accessing services due to childcare was associated with lifetime overdose (aPR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.23). Conclusion: Childcare responsibilities may be a barrier for accessing substance use services and treatment for men and women. Further qualitative and mixed-methods research is needed to understand how to make treatment and services accessible for parents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joy D Scheidell
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 E 30th Street, Sixth Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Lee Hoff
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 E 30th Street, Sixth Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maria R Khan
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 E 30th Street, Sixth Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alex S Bennett
- New York University School of Global Public Health, 708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Luther Elliott
- New York University School of Global Public Health, 708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kitson C, Haines M, O’Byrne P. Understanding the Perspectives of Women Who Use Intravenous Drugs and are Experiencing Homelessness in an Urban Centre in Canada: An Analysis of Ethnographic Data. Glob Qual Nurs Res 2022; 9:23333936221080935. [PMID: 35340820 PMCID: PMC8941687 DOI: 10.1177/23333936221080935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Injection drug use has long been a topic of investigation, whether through a health or
criminal justice lens. Whilst these bodies of literature offer important perspectives,
missing from the extant literature is evidence, particularly involving women who use
drugs, and more specifically evidence about the health beliefs of these women. To address
this knowledge gap, we undertook an ethnographic study of homeless women in downtown
Ottawa who inject drugs. This included interviews, observations, and artifact analyses. In
this paper, we report on these ethnographic data to show the context and nature of the
subjective lives of women who use injection drugs and their beliefs and perspectives on
health. We use these data to make recommendations for nursing and healthcare practice
moving forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrick O’Byrne
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Patrick O’Byrne, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth
Road, Ottawa K1H 8M5, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Collins AB, McNeil R, Czechaczek S, Boyd J. " That's what I'm supposed to do at work": Gendered labor, self-care, and overdose risk among women who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 32:382-391. [PMID: 35812810 PMCID: PMC9268005 DOI: 10.1080/09581596.2020.1844151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Through rapid ethnography undertaken in Vancouver, Canada's Downtown Eastside - one of Canada's overdose epicenters - this article examines how gendered expectations of labor shape overdose risk for structurally vulnerable women and gender diverse people who use drugs. Drawing on two participant narratives, we explore how structural, symbolic, and everyday violence frame the lives of women and gender diverse people who use drugs in ways that drive their overdose risk as they balance self-care with caretaking, paid work, and basic survival. This article underscores the need for structural reform of peer overdose response work and funding for gender-attentive harm reduction and ancillary supports to better mitigate overdose risk for these populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B. Collins
- School of Public Health, Brown University, 121 S Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
| | - Ryan McNeil
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, United States, General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Sandra Czechaczek
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Harris MTH, Laks J, Stahl N, Bagley SM, Saia K, Wechsberg WM. Gender Dynamics in Substance Use and Treatment: A Women's Focused Approach. Med Clin North Am 2022; 106:219-234. [PMID: 34823732 PMCID: PMC8881090 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Gender impacts substance use initiation, substance use disorder development, engagement with treatment, and harms related to drug and alcohol use. Using the biopsychosocial model of addiction, this review provides a broad summary of barriers and facilitators to addiction services among women. It also reviews substance use among pregnant and parenting women and approaches to care. Given the increasing rates of substance use among women, there is a need to implement and scale-up gender-responsive addiction programming and pursue advocacy at the policy level that addresses the root drivers of substance use inequities among women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T H Harris
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Jordana Laks
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Natalie Stahl
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, E.S. Harkness Memorial Building A, 367 Cedar Street, Suite 417A, New Haven, CT 06520-8023, USA
| | - Sarah M Bagley
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, 801 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Kelley Saia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center, 850 Harrison Avenue 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, USA; Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599-7400, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hayes BT, Favaro J, Coello D, Behrends CN, Jakubowski A, Fox AD. Participants of a mail delivery syringe services program are underserved by other safe sources for sterile injection supplies. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 99:103474. [PMID: 34619446 PMCID: PMC8755579 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103474] [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: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, accessing sterile injection supplies remains challenging for many people who inject drugs (PWID). Although women are less likely to inject drugs than men, women who do inject are disproportionately affected by IDU-related complications. Needle Exchange Technology (NEXT), the first formal online accessed mail delivery syringe services program (SSP) in the US, may overcome access barriers. We evaluated whether NEXT was reaching women participants and people without access to other safe sources of sterile injection supplies. METHODS This cross-sectional study examined NEXT participants who enrolled in the mail-delivery SSP from February 2018 through March 2021. All NEXT participants completed an online questionnaire during enrollment, which included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and injection-related risk factors (including prior sources of sterile injection supplies). Multivariable logistic regression (MVR) was used to examine associations between gender and prior use of safe sources of injection supplies (i.e., SSPs or pharmacies). RESULTS 1,032 participants received injection supplies. Median age was 34 and participants were mostly cis-gendered women (55%) and white (93%). 34% reported infection with HCV; women were more likely to report HCV infection than men (38% vs 28%; p < 0.01). 68% of participants acquired injection supplies from less safe sources. Few participants exclusively used safe sources for injection supplies (26%). In adjusted MVR analysis, women participants had significantly lower odds than men of having exclusively used safe sources for injection supplies (adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52, 0.98). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that NEXT services are utilized by women and people without prior access to sterile injection supplies. Women participants were less likely than men to have exclusively used safe sources for sterile injection supplies. Future research should explore women's preference for mail-delivery over in-person SSPs and determine whether online accessed mail delivery services can reach other underserved populations of PWID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin T Hayes
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical
Center, Bronx, NY, USA,Corresponding author at: Montefiore Medical
Center, 3300 Kossuth Ave., Bronx, NY, 10467 United States. Tel.: +1
718-920-7102; fax: +1 718-561-5165.
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Jakubowski
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical
Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Aaron D. Fox
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical
Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Derndorfer J, Disslbacher F, Lechinger V, Mader K, Six E. Home, sweet home? The impact of working from home on the division of unpaid work during the COVID-19 lockdown. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259580. [PMID: 34748585 PMCID: PMC8575241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A lockdown implies a shift from the public to the private sphere, and from market to non-market production, thereby increasing the volume of unpaid work. Already before the pandemic, unpaid work was disproportionately borne by women. This paper studies the effect of working from home for pay (WFH), due to a lockdown, on the change in the division of housework and childcare within couple households. While previous studies on the effect of WFH on the reconciliation of work and family life and the division of labour within the household suffered from selection bias, we are able to identify this effect by drawing upon the shock of the first COVID-19 lockdown in Austria. The corresponding legal measures left little choice over WFH. In any case, WFH is exogenous, conditional on a small set of individual and household characteristics we control for. We employ data from a survey on the gendered aspects of the lockdown. The dataset includes detailed information on time use during the lockdown and on the quality and experience of WFH. Uniquely, this survey data also includes information on the division, and not only magnitude, of unpaid work within households. Austria is an interesting case in this respect as it is characterized by very conservative gender norms. The results reveal that the probability of men taking on a larger share of housework increases if men are WFH alone or together with their female partner. By contrast, the involvement of men in childcare increased only in the event that the female partner was not able to WFH. Overall, the burden of childcare, and particularly homeschooling, was disproportionately borne by women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Derndorfer
- Research Institute Economics of Inequality, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Disslbacher
- Research Institute Economics of Inequality, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Economics and Statistics, Chamber of Labor, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Economic Geography & GIScience, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa Lechinger
- Research Institute Economics of Inequality, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Mader
- Department of Economics and Statistics, Chamber of Labor, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Economics, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Six
- Research Institute Economics of Inequality, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bagley SM, Hadland SE. Addressing multiple overdoses: Opportunities for prevention and innovation. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103382. [PMID: 34330570 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Bagley
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Albany Street, Room 2055, Boston, MA, 02119, United States; Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, United States; Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, United States.
| | - Scott E Hadland
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Albany Street, Room 2055, Boston, MA, 02119, United States; Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Minoyan N, Høj SB, Jutras-Aswad D, Vlad D, Martel-Laferrière V, Sylvestre MP, Bruneau J. Gender-specific associations between psychological distress and injecting risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Montreal, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103319. [PMID: 34154905 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological distress is common among people who inject drugs (PWID) and may be associated with HCV-related risk behaviours. Previous studies have documented increased vulnerability to both psychological distress and HCV infection among female relative to male PWID. It is, however, unclear whether behavioural responses to distress differ by gender. This study estimated gender-specific associations between psychological distress and i) binge drug injection, and ii) sharing of injection materials. METHODS Data were drawn from HEPCO, a longitudinal cohort study involving three-monthly interviews with active PWID in Montreal, Canada. Past-month psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler (K10) scale, categorized for descriptive analyses as minimal (score 10-15), moderate (16-21), high (22-29), or severe (30-50). Binge was defined as injecting large quantities of drugs until participants could no longer continue (past 3 months). Sharing was defined as injection with previously-used needles or equipment (past 3 months). Generalized additive models were fit to estimate smooth, nonlinear associations between K10 scores and risk behaviours, by gender. Models were adjusted for known determinants of drug-related harms and included random intercepts to model within-subject correlation. RESULTS 805 individuals (82% male) provided 8158 observations (2011-2020). High to severe levels of distress were common and more frequent among women (55% vs 37%). Among men, the odds of binge and sharing monotonically and non-linearly increased with increasing scores of psychological distress. Associations for binge among women were attenuated relative to men but nevertheless increased with distress, albeit in a linear fashion. Sharing was not associated with distress among women. CONCLUSION Psychological distress was differentially associated with injecting risk behaviours among men and women who inject drugs. Assessment of distress may provide novel prevention opportunities for select PWID. Further investigation into gender differences is warranted to inform development and tailoring of interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanor Minoyan
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9; Department of social and preventive medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal. 7101 Ave Parc, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3N 1X9
| | - Stine Bordier Høj
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9; Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal. 2900 boul. Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Dragos Vlad
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9; Department of social and preventive medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal. 7101 Ave Parc, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3N 1X9
| | - Valérie Martel-Laferrière
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9; Department of microbiology, infectiology and immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. 2900 boul. Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Marie-Pierre Sylvestre
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9; Department of social and preventive medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal. 7101 Ave Parc, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3N 1X9
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2X 0A9; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. 2900 boul. Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3C 3J7.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
May T, Buhociu M, Holloway K. Addressing fentanyl-related harms: maximizing the efficiency of innovative interventions. Addiction 2021; 116:1313-1314. [PMID: 33263198 DOI: 10.1111/add.15323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tom May
- Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marian Buhociu
- Substance Use Research Group (SURG), Centre for Criminology, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, UK
| | - Katy Holloway
- Substance Use Research Group (SURG), Centre for Criminology, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Harris MTH, Bagley SM, Maschke A, Schoenberger SF, Sampath S, Walley AY, Gunn CM. Competing risks of women and men who use fentanyl: "The number one thing I worry about would be my safety and number two would be overdose". J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 125:108313. [PMID: 34016300 PMCID: PMC8140193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standard public health approaches to risk communication do not address the gendered dynamics of drug use. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of fentanyl-related risks among women and men to inform future risk communication approaches. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study, purposively sampling English-speaking women and men, aged 18-25 or 35+ years, with past 12-month illicitly manufactured fentanyl use. In-depth individual interviews explored experiences of women and men related to overdose and fentanyl use. We conducted a grounded content analysis examining specific codes related to overdose and other health or social risks attributed to drug use. Using a constant comparison technique, we explored commonalities and differences in themes between women and men. RESULTS The study enrolled twenty-one participants, 10 women and 11 men. All participants had personal overdose experiences. Both women and men described overdosing as a "chronic" condition and expressed de-sensitization to the risk of overdose. Women and men described other risks around health, safety, and state services that often superseded their fear of overdose. Women feared physical and sexual violence and prioritized caring for children and maintaining relations with child protective services, while men feared violence arising from obtaining and using street drugs and incarceration. Only women reported that fear of violence prevented their utilization of harm reduction services. CONCLUSIONS Experiences with overdose and risk communication among people who use fentanyl-containing opioids varied by gender. The development of gender-responsive programs that address targeted concerns may be an avenue to enhance engagement with harm reduction and treatment services and create safe spaces for women not currently accessing available services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T H Harris
- Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Grayken Center for Addiction, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| | - Sarah M Bagley
- Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Grayken Center for Addiction, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| | - Ariel Maschke
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Women's Health Unit, 801 Massachusetts Ave, First Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| | - Samantha F Schoenberger
- Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| | - Spoorthi Sampath
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Women's Health Unit, 801 Massachusetts Ave, First Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| | - Alexander Y Walley
- Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Grayken Center for Addiction, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| | - Christine M Gunn
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Women's Health Unit, 801 Massachusetts Ave, First Floor, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Goss KD, Abramson N, Ioerger M, Reyes AC, Turk MA. A systematic scoping study exploring opioid use across a variety of disability conditions. Disabil Health J 2021; 14:101106. [PMID: 33888430 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101106] [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] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid use experiences among people with disability (PWD) as a group has not been clearly articulated in the current literature, despite links between pain and measures of disability. OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic search and scoping study examining the characteristics of current literature focused on opioid use among PWD. METHODS Four databases were queried (i.e., Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL) for peer-reviewed, empirical, English-language, journal articles focused on long-term opioid use among PWD. Collected data points included: disability details (specific condition, onset of disability), opioid details (category of opioid use, and specified substance), study details, and design. RESULTS A total of 196 articles were included, with 83.7% published since 2000 largely from the US. The majority of articles (70.4%) focused on the use of opioids as medical treatment, with fewer articles focusing on recreational opioid use or substance use disorders. The majority of included sources (73%) focused on opioid use in acquired conditions; neuropathic pain (21.9%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (20.4%) were the most commonly studied. Differences were observed in the distribution of disability conditions across category of opioid use and study design classification; 73.5% were considered observational in design. CONCLUSIONS The varied representation of disability conditions, and differences across opioid use category and study design classification point to a complicated relationship between opioid use and disability. The present research portfolio would benefit from research matching informational needs of a specific disability area or opioid use category to provide the evidence necessary to advance current knowledge and promote inclusion in national agendas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine D Goss
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
| | - Nicholas Abramson
- College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Michael Ioerger
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Alicia C Reyes
- College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Margaret A Turk
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Barnhart KJ, Dodge B, Sayegh MA, Herbenick D, Reece M. Shared injection experiences: Interpersonal involvement in injection drug practices among women. Subst Abus 2021; 42:912-918. [PMID: 33798019 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1903650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many women who inject drugs are aware of the associated risks, however social influences play a part in their behavioral decisions. Incorporation of others in drug use behaviors may be common practice among women who use drugs. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of women's injection drug use experiences with a focus on interpersonal involvement. Methods: Venue-based recruitment was conducted in collaboration with a harm reduction program. A group of 30 women, ages 18 and older, who reported injecting drugs within the past 30 days took part in a demographic survey and semi-structured interview to gain an understanding of their injection practices. In vivo coding and thematic analysis were conducted. Results: Three main themes that relate to incorporating others into injection drug behaviors surfaced, including: (1) injection practices described as we and not I, (2) partnered purchase and drug preparation, and (3) assisted injection. This group of women most often incorporated sexual and/or romantic partners (same and other-gender), friends, or family members into their injection drug use behaviors. Some women described a lack of ability to inject themselves and require assistance every time they use. Women also reported helping other women during drug use behaviors. Conclusions: Our primary themes indicate that a variety of relationship partners are important conceptual links in theoretical frameworks explaining drug use behaviors among women. Findings suggest same gender assistance during drug use behaviors, including injection, that may reduce harm. The interpersonal nature of injection drug use among women may indicate the expansion of treatment options designed for couples or other relationship partners, such as family, together.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Barnhart
- Department of Public Health, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Brian Dodge
- School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - M Aaron Sayegh
- School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Debby Herbenick
- School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Michael Reece
- Department of Social and Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sa M, C R, Ml M, Lr S, J TM, S J, X S, Rs G, Sa S, K D, K H, R M, Mj M, M O, A G, D W, Ai S. Examining the gender composition of drug injecting initiation events: A mixed methods investigation of three North American contexts. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 90:103056. [PMID: 33310638 PMCID: PMC8046711 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gender influences the health and social risks faced by individuals initiating drug injecting. Using mixed methods across three settings in North America, we investigated the gender composition of injection initiation events and the gendered risk environments in which they occurred. METHODS The PReventing Injecting by Modifying Existing Responses (PRIMER) study pooled data from three prospective community-recruited cohorts of people who inject drugs (PWID) in San Diego, USA, Vancouver, Canada, and Tijuana, Mexico. A qualitative subsample provided narrative data on their experiences of, and the contexts for, injection initiation events. Guided by Rhodes' risk environment framework, we examined the gender composition of initiation events stratified by city, and analyzed qualitative data using abductive thematic analyses. RESULTS Among 2,622 PWID (Tijuana: n = 531; San Diego: n = 352; Vancouver: n = 1,739), 112 (4.3%) reported providing initiation assistance to injection-naïve individuals in the previous six months. The proportion of gender concordant (e.g., male-male) initiation pairs varied, (χ2 = 10.32, p <0.001) with greater than expected concordance among pairs in Tijuana compared with those in Vancouver or San Diego. Sixty-one interviews provided context for the discrepancy across sites by highlighting the gendered injection initiation risk environments of prison/jail detention in Tijuana, intimate partnerships in San Diego, and overdose risk in Vancouver. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight how gender influences injection initiation events within spatial, social, and economic risk environments, and how this influence varies across settings. These findings can inform interventions to reduce the risk of injection initiation and related harms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meyers Sa
- School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Rafful C
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, University City, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mittal Ml
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Xochicalco, Rampa Yumalinda 4850, Colonia Chapultepec Alamar C.P. 22540, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Smith Lr
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Tirado-Muñoz J
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Jain S
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Sun X
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Garfein Rs
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Strathdee Sa
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - DeBeck K
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9 Canada; School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Hayashi K
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9 Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - McNeil R
- School of Medicine, Yale, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, United States
| | - Milloy Mj
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9 Canada
| | - Olding M
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Guise A
- Addison House, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Werb D
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Scheim Ai
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8 Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
St-Jean M, Dong X, Tafessu H, Moore D, Honer WG, Vila-Rodriguez F, Sereda P, Hogg RS, Patterson TL, Salters K, Barrios R, Montaner JSG, Lima VD. Overdose mortality is reducing the gains in life expectancy of antiretroviral-treated people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103195. [PMID: 33773878 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103195] [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] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A remarkable reduction in AIDS-related mortality has been achieved through the widespread use of triple combination antiretroviral therapy, considerably increasing the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH). However, these survival gains are now at risk in North America due to an unprecedented public health emergency: the deadly drug overdose epidemic. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of unintentional death in British Columbia (BC), Canada and the United States due to synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl) in illegal markets. This manuscript aimed to estimate the effect of overdose mortality on life expectancy and identify covariates associated with the hazard for overdose mortality in the presence of competing risk among PLWH in BC. METHODS Those eligible were aged ≥20 years, initiated antiretroviral therapy from 1-Apr-1996 to 30-Dec-2017, and were followed until 31-Dec-2017, last contact or death date. We estimated the potential gains in life expectancy from abridged life tables. We modelled the association between covariates and the cause-specific hazard for overdose mortality, accounting for mortality of other causes as a competing risk. RESULTS Among the 10,362 PLWH, 3% experienced overdose mortality. The life expectancy at age 20 increased by 8.7 years from 2002-2007 to 2008-2013 compared to only 3.0 years from 2008-2013 to 2014-2017. The potential gain in life expectancy was 3.3 years at age 20 during the ongoing overdose epidemic (2014-2017). There were gender differences in life expectancies throughout the study period. People who have ever injected drugs, women and viral load monitoring non-compliance were key covariates associated with an increased hazard of overdose mortality. CONCLUSION Survival gains among PLWH have been considerably reduced due to the ongoing overdose epidemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin St-Jean
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Xinzhe Dong
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hiwot Tafessu
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Paul Sereda
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Robert S Hogg
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | | | - Kate Salters
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rolando Barrios
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Julio S G Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Viviane D Lima
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bardwell G, Austin T, Maher L, Boyd J. Hoots and harm reduction: a qualitative study identifying gaps in overdose prevention among women who smoke drugs. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:29. [PMID: 33678163 PMCID: PMC7937364 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00479-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smoking or inhaling illicit drugs can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes, including overdose. However, most overdose prevention interventions, such as supervised consumption services (SCS), prohibit inhalation. In addition, women are underrepresented at SCS and are disproportionately impacted by socio-structural violence. This study examines women's experiences smoking illicit drugs during an overdose epidemic, including their utilization of a women-only supervised inhalation site. METHODS Qualitative research methods included on-site ethnographic observation and semi-structured interviews with 32 participants purposively recruited from the women-only site. Data were coded and analyzed using NVivo 12 and thematic analysis was informed by gendered and socio-structural understandings of violence. RESULTS Participants had preferences for smoking drugs and these were shaped by their limited income, inability to inject, and perceptions of overdose risk. Participants expressed the need for services that attend to women's specific experiences of gendered, race-based, and structural violence faced within and outside mixed-gender social service settings. Results indicate a need for sanctioned spaces that recognize polysubstance use and drug smoking, accommodated by the women-only SCS. The smoking environment further fostered a sociability where participants could engage in perceived harm reduction through sharing drugs with other women/those in need and were able to respond in the event of an overdose. CONCLUSIONS Findings demonstrate the ways in which gendered social and structural environments shape women's daily experiences using drugs and the need for culturally appropriate interventions that recognize diverse modes of consumption while attending to overdose and violence. Women-only smoking spaces can provide temporary reprieve from some socio-structural harms and build collective capacity to practice harm reduction strategies, including overdose prevention. Women-specific SCS with attention to polysubstance use are needed as well as continued efforts to address the socio-structural harms experienced by women who smoke illicit drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Bardwell
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Tamar Austin
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Lisa Maher
- Faculty of Medicine, Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bardwell G, Fleming T, McNeil R, Boyd J. Women's multiple uses of an overdose prevention technology to mitigate risks and harms within a supportive housing environment: a qualitative study. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:51. [PMID: 33530987 PMCID: PMC7856712 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01196-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background North America is amidst an opioid overdose epidemic. In many settings, particularly Canada, the majority of overdose deaths occur indoors and impact structurally vulnerable people who use drugs alone, making targeted housing-based interventions a priority. Mobile applications have been developed that allow individuals to solicit help to prevent overdose death. We examine the experiences of women residents utilizing an overdose response button technology within a supportive housing environment. Methods In October 2019, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 14 residents of a women-only supportive housing building in an urban setting where the overdose response button technology was installed. Data was analyzed thematically and framed by theories of structural vulnerability. Results While participants described the utility and disadvantages of the technology for overdose response, most participants, unexpectedly described alternate adoptions of the technology. Participants used the technology for other emergency situations (e.g., gender-based violence), rather than its intended purpose of overdose response. Conclusions Our findings highlight the limitations of current technologies while also demonstrating the clear need for housing-based emergency response interventions that address not just overdose risk but also gender-based violence. These need to be implemented alongside larger strategies to address structural vulnerabilities and provide greater agency to marginalized women who use drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Bardwell
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Taylor Fleming
- 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
| | - Ryan McNeil
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.,Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Eydt E, Glegg S, Sutherland C, Meador K, Trew M, Perreault M, Goyer MÈ, Le Foll B, Turnbull J, Fairbairn N. Service delivery models for injectable opioid agonist treatment in Canada: 2 sequential environmental scans. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E115-E124. [PMID: 33622764 PMCID: PMC8034381 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) is an emerging evidence-based option in the continuum of care for opioid use disorder in parts of Canada. Our study objective was to identify and describe iOAT programs operating during the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. METHODS We conducted 2 sequential environmental scans. Programs were eligible to participate if they were in operation as of Sept. 1, 2018, and Mar. 1, 2019. Information was collected over 2-3 months for each scan (September-October 2018, March-May 2019). Programs that participated in the first scan and newly established programs were invited to participate in the second scan. The scans included questions about location, service delivery model, clinical and operational characteristics, numbers and demographic characteristics of clients, and program barriers and facilitators. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS We identified 14 unique programs across the 2 scans. Eleven programs located in urban centres in British Columbia and Ontario participated in the first scan. At the time of the second scan, 2 of these programs were on hold and 2 of 3 newly established programs were in Alberta. The total capacity of all participating programs was 420 clients at most. Four service delivery models were identified; iOAT was most commonly integrated within existing health and social services. All programs offered hydromorphone, and 1 program also offered diacetylmorphine. In the first scan, 73% of clients (133/183) were male; the mean age of clients was 47 years. Limited capacity, pharmacy operations and lack of diacetylmorphine access were among the most frequently reported barriers. The most commonly reported facilitators included client-centred care, client relationships and access to other health and social support. INTERPRETATION Evidence indicates that iOAT can be successfully implemented using diverse service delivery models. Future work should facilitate scale-up of this evidence-based treatment where gaps persist in high-risk communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Eydt
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Stephanie Glegg
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Christy Sutherland
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Karine Meador
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Michael Trew
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Michel Perreault
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Marie-Ève Goyer
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Jeffrey Turnbull
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (Eydt, Glegg, Sutherland, Fairbairn); Department of Medicine (Glegg, Fairbairn), University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Sutherland), University of British Columbia; PHS Community Services Society (Sutherland), Vancouver, BC; Alberta Health Services (Meador), Royal Alexandra Hospital; Department of Family Medicine (Meador), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services (Trew), Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Psychiatry (Trew), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Psychiatry (Perreault), McGill University; Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Perreault); Department of Family Medicine (Goyer), University of Montreal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Le Foll), Toronto, Ont.; Ottawa Inner City Health (Turnbull), Ottawa, Ont
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Thumath M, Humphreys D, Barlow J, Duff P, Braschel M, Bingham B, Pierre S, Shannon K. Overdose among mothers: The association between child removal and unintentional drug overdose in a longitudinal cohort of marginalised women in Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 91:102977. [PMID: 33129662 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accidental overdose is a major public health concern in North America with research primarily focused on cisgender men. Little is known about the burden of overdose among marginalised women, particularly in the context of child custody loss. This study aims to examine the prevalence of overdose and the association with child removal in a cohort of marginalised women. METHODS This study draws on a merged dataset (2010-2018) of two community-based longitudinal cohorts of over 1000 marginalised women in Canada recruited using time-location sampling. After restricting to women who had ever had a live birth, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression using generalised estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine the association between child removal and overdose. Joint effects of child removal and Indigeneity were also investigated. RESULTS Of the 696 women who reported ever having a live birth, 39.7% (n = 276) reported child removal at baseline. Unintended, non-fatal overdose rates were high, with 35.1% (n = 244) of women reporting ever having an overdose. Using bivariate GEE analyses, having a child apprehended and being Indigenous were positively correlated with overdose. Using multivariable GEE, child removal increased the odds of overdose by 55% (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI 1.01-2.39) after adjusting for education and Indigenous ancestry. Using multivariable joint-effects analysis, Indigenous women who had experienced child removal had over twice the odds of an unintended overdose than non-Indigenous women who had not lost custody after adjusting for education, food insecurity, and sex work (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI 1.15-3.79). CONCLUSION This analysis suggests that, after controlling for known confounders, women who have a child removed experience higher odds of overdose, and these odds are highest among Indigenous women. The high prevalence of overdose in this cohort suggests the need for further strategies to prevent overdose among pregnant and parenting women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan Thumath
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, Canada; Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Barnett House, 32 -37 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2ER; University of British Columbia, School of Nursing, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 2B5.
| | - David Humphreys
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Barnett House, 32 -37 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2ER
| | - Jane Barlow
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Barnett House, 32 -37 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2ER
| | - Putu Duff
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Melissa Braschel
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Brittany Bingham
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, Canada; Vancouver Coastal Health, Aboriginal Health, 2750 E. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
| | - Sophie Pierre
- ʔAq̓am, St. Mary's Indian Band, Ktunaxa Nation, 7470 Mission road, Cranbrook, B.C., V1C 7E5
| | - Kate Shannon
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Meyers SA, Smith LR, Werb D. Preventing transitions into injection drug use: A call for gender-responsive upstream prevention. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 83:102836. [PMID: 32679459 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
In 2017, there were large increases (260-500%) in overdose deaths among women in the United States across age groups (30-64 years and 55-64 years). In addition, U.S. women who inject drugs (WWID) are at increased risk for substance use-related disease transmission, bacterial infections, as well as sexual and physical violence compared to men who inject drugs. Relatedly, women face unique access barriers to substance use-related services, such as stigma and low coverage of gender-specific drug use-related services. Despite these heightened risks experienced by WWID, interventions specifically tailored to preventing women from transitioning into injection drug use have not been developed to date. As such, we advocate for the development of gender-responsive programs to prevent injection drug use initiation. This is critical to ensuring a comprehensive approach to preventing injection drug use initiation among those populations at highest risk of injection-related morbidity and mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Meyers
- School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Laramie R Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dan Werb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bach P, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ, Nosova E, Kerr T, Wood E, Fairbairn N. Characterising the increasing prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use in Vancouver, Canada, from 2006-2017: A gender-based analysis. Drug Alcohol Rev 2020; 39:932-940. [PMID: 32666650 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Methamphetamine use is increasing in North America and is associated with numerous negative health effects and social harms. As drug-related harms are often gendered, this study sought to examine the differential impacts of gender on the trends, risk factors and health implications of crystal methamphetamine use among a Canadian cohort of people with high rates of injection polysubstance use. METHODS Data were collected from two prospective cohorts of people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada. We examined trends in reported crystal methamphetamine use from 2006-2017 using the Cochrane-Armitage test for trend. We used multivariable generalised estimating equations, stratified by gender, to determine independent risk factors and health outcomes associated with crystal methamphetamine use. RESULTS In total, 1984 participants were included in the study, including 694 (35%) women. The prevalence of reported crystal methamphetamine use within the previous 6 months rose from 19% in 2006 to 36% in 2017, with a rise seen in both genders (P < 0.001). Reported crystal methamphetamine use was associated with numerous risk behaviours and drug-related harms in both genders, and in women it was associated with an increase in experiences of sexual violence (adjusted odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.18, 2.27). CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the rising prevalence of reported crystal methamphetamine use in Vancouver in a cohort with high rates of polysubstance use. This work highlights drug and sex-related risk behaviours associated with crystal methamphetamine use for both genders, and underscores the need to develop strategies to address the growing use of crystal methamphetamine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Nosova
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Boyd J, Lavalley J, Czechaczek S, Mayer S, Kerr T, Maher L, McNeil R. "Bed Bugs and Beyond": An ethnographic analysis of North America's first women-only supervised drug consumption site. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 78:102733. [PMID: 32247720 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attention to how women are differentially impacted within harm reduction environments is salient amidst North America's overdose crisis. Harm reduction interventions are typically 'gender-neutral', thus failing to address the systemic and everyday racialized and gendered discrimination, stigma, and violence extending into service settings and limiting some women's access. Such dynamics highlight the significance of North America's first low-threshold supervised consumption site exclusively for women (transgender and non-binary inclusive), SisterSpace, in Vancouver, Canada. This study explores women's lived experiences of this unique harm reduction intervention. METHODS Ethnographic research was conducted from May 2017 to June 2018 to explore women's experiences with SisterSpace in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, an epicenter of Canada's overdose crisis. Data include more than 100 hours of ethnographic fieldwork, including unstructured conversations with structurally vulnerable women who use illegal drugs, and in-depth interviews with 45 women recruited from this site. Data were analyzed in NVivo by drawing on deductive and inductive approaches. FINDINGS The setting (non-institutional), operational policies (no men; inclusive), and environment (diversity of structurally vulnerable women who use illegal drugs), constituted a space affording participants a temporary reprieve from some forms of stigma and discrimination, gendered and social violence and drug-related harms, including overdose. SisterSpace fostered a sense of safety and subjective autonomy (though structurally constrained) among those often defined as 'deviant' and 'victims', enabling knowledge-sharing of experiences through a gendered lens. CONCLUSION SisterSpace demonstrates the value and effectiveness of initiatives that engage with socio-structural factors beyond the often narrow focus of overdose prevention and that account for the complex social relations that constitute such initiatives. In the context of structural inequities, criminalization, and an overdose crisis, SisterSpace represents an innovative approach to harm reduction that accounts for situations of gender inequality not being met by mixed-gender services, with relevance to other settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Jennifer Lavalley
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Sandra Czechaczek
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Samara Mayer
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400 - 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia and Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Ryan McNeil
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street New Haven CT 06510, USA; General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street New Haven CT 06510, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Goodyear T, Mniszak C, Jenkins E, Fast D, Knight R. "Am I gonna get in trouble for acknowledging my will to be safe?": Identifying the experiences of young sexual minority men and substance use in the context of an opioid overdose crisis. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:23. [PMID: 32228646 PMCID: PMC7106659 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00365-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND North America and other parts of the globe are in the midst of a public health emergency related to opioid overdoses and a highly contaminated illicit drug supply. Unfortunately, there is a substantial gap in our understandings about how this crisis affects key populations not conventionally identified within overdose-related surveillance data. This gap is particularly pronounced for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (sexual minority men)-a population that experiences substance use-related inequities across adolescence and young adulthood. METHODS We draw on in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in 2018 with a diverse sample (N = 50) of sexual minority men ages 15-30 who use substances and live in Vancouver, Canada, to identify how patterns and contexts of substance use are occurring in the context of the opioid overdose crisis. RESULTS Our analysis revealed three themes: awareness, perceptions, and experiences of risk; strategies to mitigate risk; and barriers to safer substance use. First, participants described how they are deeply impacted by the contaminated illicit drug supply, and how there is growing apprehension that fatal and non-fatal overdose risk is high and rising. Second, participants described how procuring substances from "trustworthy" drug suppliers and other harm reduction strategies (e.g., drug checking technologies, Naloxone kits, not using alone) could reduce overdose risk. Third, participants described how interpersonal, service-related, and socio-structural barriers (e.g., drug criminalization and the lack of a regulated drug supply) limit opportunities for safer substance use. CONCLUSIONS Equity-oriented policies and programming that can facilitate opportunities for safer substance use among young sexual minority men are critically needed, including community- and peer-led initiatives, access to low-barrier harm reduction services within commonly frequented social spaces (e.g., Pride, night clubs, bathhouses), nonjudgmental and inclusive substance use-related health services, the decriminalization of drug use, and the provision of a safe drug supply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Goodyear
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Caroline Mniszak
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Danya Fast
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rod Knight
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Factors Associated With the Use of Supervised Consumption Facilities Among Women Who Inject Drugs in a Canadian Setting. J Addict Med 2020; 14:e226-e232. [PMID: 32142059 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supervised consumption facilities (SCFs) are evidence-based harm reduction interventions that have been shown to reduce the risk of social and health-related harms associated with injection drug use. Previous qualitative studies have highlighted important motivations for SCF use among women who use drugs. However, factors associated with SCF use among women have not previously been evaluated. METHODS Data were obtained from 2 longitudinal community-recruited cohorts of people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada between 2003 and 2017. Multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to calculate the odds of SCF use associated with social and structural risk factors for drug-related harm among women who reported injection drug use in the preceding 6-months. RESULTS A total of 795 participants were included in the study, contributing to 6302 interviews, with 602 participants (76%) reporting SCF use in at least one interview. Multivariable analysis demonstrated daily heroin and crystal methamphetamine injection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.32 and 1.65, respectively), injecting in public (AOR = 1.77), binge injection (AOR = 1.22) and lack of housing (AOR = 1.74) to be associated with SCF use. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrates higher intensity patterns of drug use, including daily heroin and crystal methamphetamine injection, injecting in public and binge injection, as well as homelessness to be associated with SCF use among women. Future research should identify barriers to SCF use among women to minimize the risk of overdose and other drug-related harms.
Collapse
|
37
|
Women's utilization of housing-based overdose prevention sites in Vancouver, Canada: An ethnographic study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 76:102641. [PMID: 31887644 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to a fentanyl-driven overdose crisis, low-threshold supervised consumption sites, termed overdose prevention sites (OPS), have been rapidly implemented in Vancouver, Canada. Since approximately 88% of fatal overdoses in the province occur indoors, OPS have been integrated into select non-profit-operated single room accommodations (SRA) housing. We examined the social-structural features of these housing-based OPS (HOPS) on women's overdose risk. METHODS Ethnographic research was conducted from May 2017 to December 2018 in Vancouver. Data included 35 in-depth interviews with women who use drugs living in SRAs and approximately 100 h of observational fieldwork in SRAs and surrounding areas. Data were analyzed using an intersectional risk environment approach, with attention to equity and violence. FINDINGS Findings demonstrate that the social and structural environments of HOPS created barriers for women to access these interventions, resulting in an increased overdose risk. Primary barriers included uncertainty as to who else was accessing HOPS, rules prohibiting smoking, and a lack of trust in staff's abilities to effectively respond to an overdose. Most participants considered HOPS to be unsafe environments, and expressed fear of violence from residents and/or guests. The perceived risk of violence was informed by previous experiences of assault and the witnessing of violence. Many participants thus consumed drugs alone in their rooms to better control their safety, despite heightened overdose risk. Further, most participants did not perceive themselves to be at risk of an overdose due to drug use practices and tolerance levels, and viewed using alone as a safer option than HOPS. CONCLUSION Findings highlight how the low-barrier design and operation of HOPS can undermine women's engagement with HOPS. Overdose prevention strategies in SRAs should also include gender-specific models (e.g. women-only HOPS, women peer workers) to help mitigate barriers to these services within the context of the current overdose crisis.
Collapse
|