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Vincent GA, Nunez J, Gill JR. A Series of 8 Illicit Fentanyl Intoxication Deaths in Infants and Toddlers. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2024; 45:167-171. [PMID: 38290004 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT We report 8 children younger than 2 years who died from acute illicit fentanyl intoxications in Connecticut between 2020 and 2022.The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CT OCME) investigates all unexpected, violent, and suspicious deaths in Connecticut. The CT OCME's electronic database was searched for fentanyl deaths by age. All underwent autopsies and toxicology testing.The ages ranged from 28 days to 2 years (mean age, 12 months). The causes of death involved acute fentanyl intoxications with 1 having xylazine, 1 having para-fluorofentanyl, and 1 having cocaine and morphine. All the manners of death were certified as homicide. The postmortem fentanyl blood concentrations ranged from 0.40 to 46 ng/mL. Most of the children were found unresponsive after being put to sleep. Three were co-sleeping with adults (2 in bed; 1 on a recliner). There was a known history of parental/caregiver drug abuse in 7 of 8 of the fatalities.We summarize the key investigative, autopsy, and toxicological findings. As illicit fentanyl use increases, there is a potential for infant exposure and death. The investigation and certification of these deaths and the role of intentional administration versus inadvertent exposure due to caregiver neglect in the context of the certification of the manner of death are described.
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2
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Sauer S. Public stigma against fentanyl overdose decedents in the United States: A conjoint vignette experiment. Soc Sci Med 2024; 350:116937. [PMID: 38710134 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The United States is facing a drug overdose crisis, and stigma against people who use drugs is a major roadblock to implementing solutions. Despite the public health importance of understanding and mitigating substance use stigma, prior research has focused mainly on perceptions of individuals with substance use disorders and a limited set of demographic traits. This leaves critical gaps in our understanding of stigma against fentanyl overdose decedents, who represent a much broader group, including people who use substances recreationally. This study develops a more robust understanding of these attitudes through an experimental vignette survey fielded to a national sample of American adults (n = 1432). Respondents were shown two fictional fentanyl overdose obituaries where a complex suite of decedent characteristics-including demographic traits and contexts of substance use-were randomly varied in a conjoint design. Respondents then endorsed one of the two decedents for each of several attitudinal outcomes, including blameworthiness and support for various interventions, and justified their choices in an open-ended format. Results indicate that the public assesses victims of fentanyl overdose meritocratically, making judgments based on personal history and life experience rather than traditional race, class, and gender status beliefs. While certainly a signal of progress on some fronts, this meritocratic lens conflicts with the public health model of addressing the overdose crisis and exposes the alarming persistence of explicit stigma against people who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Sauer
- Department of Sociology, The Ohio State University, 1885 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States.
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3
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Beland LP, Huh J, Kim D. The effect of opioid use on traffic fatalities. Health Econ 2024; 33:1123-1132. [PMID: 38498377 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
We use a difference-in-differences design to study the effect of opioid use on traffic fatalities. Following Alpert et al., we focus on the 1996 introduction and marketing of OxyContin, and we examine its long-term impacts on traffic fatalities involving Schedule II drugs or heroin. Based on the national fatal vehicle crash database, we find that the states heavily targeted by the initial marketing of OxyContin (i.e., non-triplicate states) experienced 2.4 times more traffic fatalities (1.6 additional deaths per million individuals) involving Schedule II drugs or heroin during 2011-2019, when overdose deaths from heroin and fentanyl became more prominent. We find no difference in traffic fatalities until after the mid-2000s between states with and without a triplicate prescription program. The effect is mainly concentrated in fatal crashes with drug involvement of drivers ages between 25 and 44. Our results highlight additional long-term detrimental consequences of the introduction and marketing of OxyContin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Huh
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Dongwoo Kim
- University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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4
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Friedman JR, Tiako MJN, Hansen H. Understanding and Addressing Widening Racial Inequalities in Drug Overdose. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:381-390. [PMID: 38706336 PMCID: PMC11076008 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The fourth wave of the United States overdose crisis-driven by the polysubstance use of fentanyl with stimulants and other synthetic substances-has driven sharply escalating racial/ethnic inequalities in drug overdose death rates. Here the authors present a detailed portrait of the latest overdose trends and synthesize the literature to describe where, how, and why these inequalities are worsening. By 2022 overdose deaths among Native and Black Americans rose to 1.8 and 1.4 times the rate seen among White Americans, respectively. This reflects that Black and Native Americans have been disproportionately affected by fentanyl and the combination of fentanyl and stimulants at the national level and in virtually every state. The highest overdose deaths rates are currently seen among Black Americans 55-64 years of age as well as younger cohorts of Native Americans 25-44 years of age. In 2022-the latest year of data available-deaths among White Americans decreased relative to 2021, whereas rates among all other groups assessed continued to rise. Moving forward, Fundamental Cause Theory shows us a relevant universal truth of implementation science: in socially unequal societies, new technologies typically end up favoring more privileged groups first, thereby widening inequalities unless underlying social inequalities are addressed. Therefore, interventions designed to reduce addiction and overdose death rates that are not explicitly designed to also improve racial/ethnic inequalities will often unintentionally end up worsening them. Well-funded community-based programs, with Black and Native leadership, providing harm reduction resources, naloxone, and medications for opioid use disorder in the context of comprehensive, culturally appropriate healthcare and other services, represent the highest priority interventions to decrease inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. Friedman
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles
| | | | - Helena Hansen
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
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5
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Zahan R, Osgood ND, Plouffe R, Orpana H. A Dynamic Model of Opioid Overdose Deaths in Canada during the Co-Occurring Opioid Overdose Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21:442. [PMID: 38673354 PMCID: PMC11050073 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
With over 40,000 opioid-related overdose deaths between January 2016 and June 2023, the opioid-overdose crisis is a significant public health concern for Canada. The opioid crisis arose from a complex system involving prescription opioid use, the use of prescription opioids not as prescribed, and non-medical opioid use. The increasing presence of fentanyl and its analogues in the illegal drugs supply has been an important driver of the crisis. In response to the overdose crisis, governments at the municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal levels have increased actions to address opioid-related harms. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns emerged over how the pandemic context may impact the opioid overdose crisis. Using evidence from a number of sources, we developed a dynamic mathematical model of opioid overdose death to simulate possible trajectories of overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. This model incorporates information on prescription opioid use, opioid use not as prescribed, non-medical opioid use, the level of fentanyl in the drug supply, and a measure of the proportion deaths preventable by new interventions. The simulated scenarios provided decision makers with insight into possible trajectories of the opioid crisis in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the potential of the crisis to take a turn for the worse under certain assumptions, and thus, informing planning during a period when surveillance data were not yet available. This model provides a starting point for future models, and through its development, we have identified important data and evidence gaps that need to be filled in order to inform future action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rifat Zahan
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, Canada; (R.Z.); (N.D.O.)
| | - Nathaniel D. Osgood
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, Canada; (R.Z.); (N.D.O.)
| | - Rebecca Plouffe
- Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada;
| | - Heather Orpana
- Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada;
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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6
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Bazazi AR, Low P, Gomez BO, Snyder H, Hom JK, Soran CS, Zevin B, Mason M, Graterol J, Coffin PO. Overdose from Unintentional Fentanyl Use when Intending to Use a Non-opioid Substance: An Analysis of Medically Attended Opioid Overdose Events. J Urban Health 2024; 101:245-251. [PMID: 38568466 PMCID: PMC11052958 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Fentanyl-mixed and substituted heroin is well-documented, but less is known about unintentional fentanyl use among people using stimulants. To determine the prevalence of and racial and ethnic disparities in unintentional fentanyl use among people experiencing a medically attended opioid overdose, we reviewed 448 suspected non-fatal overdose cases attended by a community paramedic overdose response team in San Francisco from June to September 2022. We applied a case definition for opioid overdose to paramedic records and abstracted data on intended substance use prior to overdose. Among events meeting case criteria with data on intended substance use, intentional opioid use was reported by 57.3%, 98.0% of whom intended to use fentanyl. No intentional opioid use was reported by 42.7%, with most intending to use stimulants (72.6%), including methamphetamine and cocaine. No intentional opioid use was reported by 58.5% of Black, 52.4% of Latinx, and 28.8% of White individuals (p = 0.021), and by 57.6% of women and 39.5% of men (p = 0.061). These findings suggest that unintentional fentanyl use among people without opioid tolerance may cause a significant proportion of opioid overdoses in San Francisco. While intentional fentanyl use might be underreported, the magnitude of self-reported unintentional use merits further investigation to confirm this phenomenon, explore mechanisms of use and disparities by race and ethnicity, and deploy targeted overdose prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Bazazi
- Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
| | - Patrick Low
- Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Bryson O Gomez
- Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Hannah Snyder
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 995 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Hom
- Population Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Services Division, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA, 94102, USA
| | - Christine S Soran
- Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Barry Zevin
- Street Medicine and Shelter Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 555 Stevenson St, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA
| | - Michael Mason
- Community Paramedicine Division, San Francisco Fire Department, 698 2nd St, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
| | - Joseph Graterol
- Community Paramedicine Division, San Francisco Fire Department, 698 2nd St, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
| | - Phillip O Coffin
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Center On Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA, 94102, USA
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7
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Ondocsin J, Holm N, Mars SG, Ciccarone D. The motives and methods of methamphetamine and 'heroin' co-use in West Virginia. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:88. [PMID: 37438812 PMCID: PMC10339587 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00816-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid and methamphetamine co-use is increasing across the USA with overdoses involving these drugs also rising. West Virginia (WV) has led the US in opioid overdose death rates since at least 2013 and rising co-use of methamphetamine with opioids has played a greater role in deaths over the last 5 years. METHODS This study used rapid ethnography to examine methods and motivations behind opioids and methamphetamine co-use from the viewpoint of their consumers. Participants (n = 30) were people who injected heroin/fentanyl also using methamphetamine who participated in semi-structured interviews. RESULTS We found multiple methods of co-using opioids and methamphetamine, whether alternately or simultaneously and in varying order. Most prioritized opioids, with motives for using methamphetamine forming three thematic categories: 'intrinsic use', encompassing both inherent pleasure of combined use greater than using both drugs separately or for self-medication of particular conditions; 'opioid assisting use' in which methamphetamine helped people manage their existing heroin/fentanyl use; and 'reluctant or indifferent use' for social participation, reflecting methamphetamine's low cost and easy availability. CONCLUSIONS Methamphetamine serves multiple functions among people using opioids in WV. Beliefs persist that methamphetamine can play a role in preventing and reversing opioid overdose, including some arguments for sequential use being protective of overdose. 'Reluctant' uptake attests to methamphetamine's social use and the influence of supply. The impact on overdose risk of the many varied co-use patterns needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Ondocsin
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU3E, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Nicole Holm
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU3E, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Sarah G Mars
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU3E, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU3E, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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8
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9
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Kuehn BM. Fentanyl Drives Startling Increases in Adolescent Overdose Deaths. JAMA 2023; 329:280-281. [PMID: 36692551 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.23563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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10
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Abstract
This JAMA Patient Page describes fentanyl and illicit fentanyl analogues, and the common signs and symptoms of fentanyl overdose, its treatment, and overdose prevention measures.
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Trecki J, Gerona RR, Ellison R, Thomas C, Mileusnic-Polchan D. Notes from the Field: Increased Incidence of Fentanyl-Related Deaths Involving Para-fluorofentanyl or Metonitazene - Knox County, Tennessee, November 2020-August 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022; 71:153-155. [PMID: 35085219 PMCID: PMC9351528 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7104a3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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12
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O’Donnell J, Tanz LJ, Gladden RM, Davis NL, Bitting J. Trends in and Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyls - United States, 2019-2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021; 70:1740-1746. [PMID: 34914673 PMCID: PMC8675656 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7050e3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
During May 2020-April 2021, the estimated number of drug overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 over a 12-month period for the first time, with 64.0% of deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (mainly illicitly manufactured fentanyls [IMFs], which include both fentanyl and illicit fentanyl analogs).* Introduced primarily as adulterants in or replacements for white powder heroin east of the Mississippi River (1), IMFs are now widespread in white powder heroin markets, increasingly pressed into counterfeit pills resembling oxycodone, alprazolam, or other prescription drugs, and are expanding into new markets, including in the western United States† (2). This report describes trends in overdose deaths involving IMFs (IMF-involved deaths) during July 2019-December 2020 (29 states and the District of Columbia [DC]), and characteristics of IMF-involved deaths during 2020 (39 states and DC) using data from CDC's State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). During July 2019-December 2020, IMF-involved deaths increased sharply in midwestern (33.1%), southern (64.7%), and western (93.9%) jurisdictions participating in SUDORS. Approximately four in 10 IMF-involved deaths also involved a stimulant. Highlighting the need for timely overdose response, 56.1% of decedents had no pulse when first responders arrived. Injection drug use was the most frequently reported individual route of drug use (24.5%), but evidence of snorting, smoking, or ingestion, but not injection drug use was found among 27.1% of decedents. Adapting and expanding overdose prevention, harm reduction, and response efforts is urgently needed to address the high potency (3), and various routes of use for IMFs. Enhanced treatment for substance use disorders is also needed to address the increased risk for overdose (4) and treatment complications (5) associated with using IMFs with stimulants.
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Marks C, Abramovitz D, Donnelly CA, Carrasco-Escobar G, Carrasco-Hernández R, Ciccarone D, González-Izquierdo A, Martin NK, Strathdee SA, Smith DM, Bórquez A. Identifying counties at risk of high overdose mortality burden during the emerging fentanyl epidemic in the USA: a predictive statistical modelling study. Lancet Public Health 2021; 6:e720-e728. [PMID: 34118194 PMCID: PMC8565591 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00080-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of fentanyl around 2013 represented a new, deadly stage of the opioid epidemic in the USA. We aimed to develop a statistical regression approach to identify counties at the highest risk of high overdose mortality in the subsequent years by predicting annual county-level overdose death rates across the contiguous USA and to validate our approach against observed overdose mortality data collected between 2013 and 2018. METHODS We fit mixed-effects negative binomial regression models to predict overdose death rates in the subsequent year for 2013-18 for all contiguous state counties in the USA (ie, excluding Alaska and Hawaii). We used publicly available county-level data related to health-care access, drug markets, socio-demographics, and the geographical spread of opioid overdose as model predictors. The crude number of county-level overdose deaths was extracted from restricted US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mortality records. To predict county-level overdose rates for the year 201X: (1) a model was trained on county-level predictor data for the years 2010-201(X-2) paired with county-level overdose deaths for the year 2011-201(X-1); (2) county-level predictor data for the year 201(X-1) was fed into the model to predict the 201X county-level crude number of overdose deaths; and (3) the latter were converted to a population-adjusted rate. For comparison, we generated a benchmark set of predictions by applying the observed slope of change in overdose death rates in the previous year to 201(X-1) rates. To assess the predictive performance of the model, we compared predicted values (of both the model and benchmark) to observed values by (1) calculating the mean average error, root mean squared error, and Spearman's correlation coefficient and (2) assessing the proportion of counties in the top decile (10%) of overdose death rates that were correctly predicted as such. Finally, in a post-hoc analysis, we sought to identify variables with greatest predictive utility. FINDINGS Between 2013 and 2018, among the 3106 US counties included, our modelling approach outperformed the benchmark strategy across all metrics. The observed average county-level overdose death rate rose from 11·8 per 100 000 people in 2013 to 15·4 in 2017 before falling to 14·6 in 2018. Our negative binomal modelling approach similarly identified an increasing trend, predicting an average 11·8 deaths per 100 000 in 2013, up to 15·1 in 2017, and increasing further to 16·4 in 2018. The benchmark model over-predicted average death rates each year, ranging from 13·0 per 100 000 in 2013 to 18·3 in 2018. Our modelling approach successfully ranked counties by overdose death rate identifying between 42% and 57% of counties in the top decile of overdose mortality (compared with 29% and 43% using the benchmark) each year and identified 194 of the 808 counties with emergent overdose outbreaks (ie, newly entered the top decile) across the study period, versus 31 using the benchmark. In the post-hoc analysis, we identified geospatial proximity of overdose in nearby counties, opioid prescription rate, presence of an urgent care facility, and several economic indicators as the variables with the greatest predictive utility. INTERPRETATION Our model shows that a regression approach can effectively predict county-level overdose death rates and serve as a risk assessment tool to identify future high mortality counties throughout an emerging drug use epidemic. FUNDING National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Marks
- Interdisciplinary Research on Substance Use Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | | | - Christl A Donnelly
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gabriel Carrasco-Escobar
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Health Innovation Lab, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Natasha K Martin
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Davey M Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Annick Bórquez
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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14
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides an update on recently published literature on the rise of illicit fentanyls, risks for overdose, combinations with other substances, e.g. stimulants, consequences, and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS Overdose due to illicit synthetic opioids (e.g. fentanyl and fentanyl analogs) continues to rise in the US both preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fentanyl-related overdose is rising in new geographic areas e.g. the western USA. Stimulant-related overdose is also increasing nationwide driven by methamphetamine and cocaine. Polysubstance use, e.g. the use of a stimulant along with an opioid is driving stimulant-related overdose. Other medical consequences of injection drug use are rising including HIV and hepatitis C infections. Medication approaches to treating opioid use disorder remain the standard of care and there are new promising pharmacological approaches to treating methamphetamine use disorder. SUMMARY A 'fourth wave' of high mortality involving methamphetamine and cocaine use has been gathering force in the USA. Availability and use of illicit fentanyls are still the major drivers of overdose deaths and the current rise in stimulant-related deaths appears entwined with the ongoing opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ciccarone
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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15
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Abstract
As fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids continue to rise, we need to understand decision-making processes underlying heroin and synthetic opioid use. This study evaluated the influence of sample impurity and fatal overdose risk on hypothetical heroin use. Individuals who currently use heroin (n = 69) were recruited online. Participants completed two probability-discounting tasks evaluating the likelihood of using a sample of heroin based on the likelihood of sample impurity and likelihood of fatal overdose, where greater discounting represented reduced use likelihood. Prior to completing the probability-discounting tasks, participants were randomized to read one of four prompts varying by the presence of information on heroin effects and active (e.g., fentanyl) or inert impurities. Influence of prompts on discounting processes and associations among probability-discounting measures, opioid use behaviors, and dependence severity were evaluated. Heroin use likelihood decreased with increased impurity or overdose risk and in a generally orderly fashion. Discounting was greater (i.e., reduced heroin use likelihood) when overdose risk, compared to sample impurity, was manipulated. Less discounting was associated with more severe opioid dependence. Discounting did not differ among prompts for either task. Individuals might adjust their heroin-use behavior to reduce harm with risk-related information. Greater discounting elicited by overdose relative to impurity risk suggests that equating adulteration and overdose risk is essential for harm reduction. Expanded access to drug checking services, which inform impurity and overdose risk, can reduce fatal overdoses. Due to fear of legal sanctions for these services, legislation and judicial decisions should explicitly protect these services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean B Dolan
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Kelly E Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Andrew S Huhn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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Wu A, Phan C, Nguyen KC, Quindoy M, Lewis J, Apollonio DE. Trends in hydrocodone combination product exposures reported to California Poison Control System (CPCS) following DEA rescheduling. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021; 59:313-319. [PMID: 32840386 PMCID: PMC7996450 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2020.1803350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT On October 6, 2014, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) implemented a regulatory change for hydrocodone combination products (HCPs), moving them from Schedule III to II, in an effort to decrease drug overdoses. Existing research suggests this regulatory action reduced HCP prescribing and dispensing; however, there is limited research assessing its possible effects on overdoses and accidental exposures. OBJECTIVE To analyze the changes in opioid exposures reported to the California Poison Control System (CPCS) before and after DEA rescheduling of HCPs. METHODS We collected monthly exposure data reported to CPCS from 2012 to 2019 and conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess changes in exposures after rescheduling for HCPs, tramadol, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and heroin. Additional analyses were done to assess any changes in exposures resulting in severe outcomes (moderate or major health effects). For HCPs, we also conducted logistic regressions to identify characteristics of exposures resulting in severe outcomes before and after rescheduling. RESULTS Overall monthly opioid exposures reported to CPCS decreased after DEA rescheduling of HCPs. These decreases were significant for HCP, tramadol, and morphine (p < 0.001). Exposures significantly increased for heroin and fentanyl (p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in the share of severe outcomes attributed to HCP exposures after rescheduling. DISCUSSION The DEA rescheduling of HCPs was associated with a significant decrease in HCP exposures and prescription opioid exposures overall, but was associated with increased fentanyl and heroin exposures. While other initiatives may have contributed to this decrease, our findings suggest that rescheduling may be a useful regulatory strategy to reduce drug exposures. CONCLUSION DEA rescheduling of HCPs was associated with a significant reduction in prescription opioid exposures, suggesting that rescheduling high-risk drugs may be an effective strategy to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Wu
- Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christine Phan
- Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kim Chi Nguyen
- Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melvin Quindoy
- Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Justin Lewis
- California Poison Control System - Sacramento Division, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Dorie E. Apollonio
- Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant T Baldwin
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Puja Seth
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rita K Noonan
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Xylazine is an emerging adulterant with fentanyl in fatal drug intoxications, which has public health, safety, and criminal investigative implications. Xylazine is a nonnarcotic sedative used for analgesia and muscle relaxation exclusively in veterinary medicine. Its chemical structure is similar to clonidine and acts as a central α-2 agonist which may cause bradycardia and transient hypertension followed by hypotension. We report the detection of xylazine in 42 deaths in Connecticut from March to August 2019. Xylazine combined with an opioid or stimulant may affect the toxicity of these drugs. Detection of xylazine may help the forensic pathologist distinguish illicit from prescribed fentanyl, and law enforcement agents track the illicit drugs to a specific drug supplier. Because of its lack of response to naloxone, emergency medicine physicians need to be aware of its potential presence as it may affect therapy.
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Taylor J, Pardo B, Hulme S, Bouey J, Greenfield V, Zhang S, Kilmer B. Illicit synthetic opioid consumption in Asia and the Pacific: Assessing the risks of a potential outbreak. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 220:108500. [PMID: 33461149 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Illegally manufactured potent synthetic opioids (IMPSO) like fentanyl have contributed to rises in overdose deaths in parts of North America and Europe. While many of these substances are produced in Asia, there is little evidence they have entered markets there. We consider the susceptibility to IMPSO's encroachment in markets in the Asia-Pacific region. METHODS Our analysis focuses on Australia, China, India, and Myanmar. Using a mixed-methods approach comprising interviews, literature review, and secondary data analyses, we examine factors facilitating or impeding incursion of IMPSO. Finally, we illustrate the potential for IMPSO fatalities in Australia. RESULTS Australia reports some signs of three facilitating factors to IMPSO's emergence: 1) existing illicit opioid markets, 2) disruption of opioid supply, and 3) user preferences. The other three countries report only existing illicit opioid markets. While diverted pharmaceutical opioids are a noted problem in Australia and India, heroin is the dominant opioid in all four countries. There are divergent trends in heroin use, with use declining in China, increasing in India, and stable in Australia and Myanmar. If IMPSO diffused in Australia as in North America from 2014 to 2018, and our assumptions generally hold, deaths from IMPSO could range from 1500-5700 over a five-year period. CONCLUSIONS This analysis and illustrative calculations serve as an early indication for policymakers. With the exception of Australia, many countries in the region fail to properly record overdose deaths or monitor changes in local drug markets. Early assessment and monitoring can give officials a better understanding of these changing threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirka Taylor
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, 22202 VA, United States.
| | - Bryce Pardo
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, 22202 VA, United States.
| | - Shann Hulme
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom.
| | - Jennifer Bouey
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, 22202 VA, United States.
| | - Victoria Greenfield
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, 22202 VA, United States.
| | - Sheldon Zhang
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, 113 Wilder St, Health & Social Sciences Building, Suite 400, Lowell, MA, 01854, United States.
| | - Beau Kilmer
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, 22202 VA, United States.
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20
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Park JN, Rashidi E, Foti K, Zoorob M, Sherman S, Alexander GC. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in the illicit stimulant supply: Results from U.S. drug seizure data, 2011-2016. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 218:108416. [PMID: 33278761 PMCID: PMC7751390 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND U.S. research examining the illicit drug supply remains rare even though the information could help reduce overdoses. Relatively little is known regarding how often opioids are found in stimulants and whether temporal and geographic trends exist. We examined trends in fentanyl-cocaine and fentanyl-methamphetamine combinations in the national illicit drug supply. METHODS We analysed serial cross-sectional data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) collected between January 2011 and December 2016. We restricted the analysis to cocaine (N = 1,389,968) and methamphetamine (n = 1,407,474) samples and calculated proportions containing fentanyl (including 23 related analogs) over time. RESULTS The combined presence of fentanyl and cocaine steadily increased nationally between 2012-2016 (p = 0.01), and the number of such samples tripled from 2015 to 2016 (n = 423 to n = 1,325). Similarly, the combined presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine increased 179 % from 2015 to 2016 (n = 82-n = 272). Patterns varied widely by state; in 2016, fentanyl-cocaine samples were most common in New Hampshire (7.2 %), Connecticut (5.4 %), Ohio (2.6 %) and Massachusetts (2.1 %), whereas fentanyl-methamphetamine samples were most often in New Hampshire (6.1 %), Massachusetts (5.6 %), Vermont (2.4 %) and Maine (1.2 %). CONCLUSIONS Although relatively uncommon, the presence of fentanyl in the stimulant supply increased significantly between 2011 and 2016, with the greatest increases occuring between 2015-2016; the presence of these products was concentrated in the U.S. Northeast. Given these trends, strengthening community-based drug checking programs and surveillance within the public health infrastructure could help promote timely responses to novel threats posed by rapid shifts in the drug supply that may lead to inadvertent exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Nyeong Park
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
| | - Emaan Rashidi
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Kathryn Foti
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Michael Zoorob
- Department of Government, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, United States
| | - Susan Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - G Caleb Alexander
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States; Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States; Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, United States
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21
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Althoff KN, Leifheit KM, Park JN, Chandran A, Sherman SG. Opioid-related overdose mortality in the era of fentanyl: Monitoring a shifting epidemic by person, place, and time. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 216:108321. [PMID: 33007700 PMCID: PMC7606594 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the emergence of illicit fentanyl, fentanyl-involved overdose rates increased from 2013 to 2017 in the United States (US). We describe US trends in opioid-related overdose mortality rates by race, age, urbanicity, and opioid type before and after the emergence of fentanyl. METHODS Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database, we estimated crude and age-standardized opioid-related overdose mortality rates at the intersections of race (non-Hispanic [NH] Black and white), age (<55 and ≥55 years), sex (male and female) and urbanicity (urban and rural residence) from 2005 to 2017. We compare relative changes in mortality from 2013 to 17, and describe changes in the contributions of fentanyl, heroin, and other opioids to opioid-related overdose mortality. RESULTS From 2013 to 2017, the overall opioid overdose mortality rate was consistently higher in NH white Americans, however, the rate increase was greater among NH Black (174 %) compared to NH white (85 %) Americans. The steepest increases occurred in the overdose rates between 2013 and 2017 among younger (aged <55 years) urban NH Black Americans (178 % increase). Among older (≥55 years) adults, only urban NH Black Americans had an increase in overdose-related mortality rate (87 % increase). Urban NH Black Americans also experienced the greatest increase in the percent of fentanyl-involved deaths (65 % in younger, 61 % in older). CONCLUSIONS In the era of increased availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl (2013-2017), there has been a disproportionate increase in opioid-related overdose deaths among urban NH Black Americans. Interventions for urban NH Black Americans are urgently needed to halt the increase in overdose deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri N Althoff
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.
| | - Kathryn M Leifheit
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. S., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ju Nyeong Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Aruna Chandran
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
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Winograd RP, Phillips S, Wood CA, Green L, Costerison B, Goulka J, Beletsky L. Training to reduce emergency responders' perceived overdose risk from contact with fentanyl: early evidence of success. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:58. [PMID: 32831088 PMCID: PMC7443848 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00402-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel P Winograd
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
| | - Sarah Phillips
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Claire A Wood
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lauren Green
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | | | - Leo Beletsky
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Delcher C, Wang Y, Vega RS, Halpin J, Gladden RM, O’Donnell JK, Hvozdovich JA, Goldberger BA. Carfentanil Outbreak - Florida, 2016-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020; 69:125-129. [PMID: 32027630 PMCID: PMC7004395 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6905a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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24
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Maghsoudi N, McDonald K, Stefan C, Beriault DR, Mason K, Barnaby L, Altenberg J, MacDonald RD, Caldwell J, Nisenbaum R, Leece P, Watson TM, Tupper KW, Kufner L, Scheim AI, Werb D. Evaluating networked drug checking services in Toronto, Ontario: study protocol and rationale. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:9. [PMID: 32204713 PMCID: PMC7092475 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0336-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing incidence of fatal opioid overdose is a public health crisis in Canada. Given growing consensus that this crisis is related to the presence of highly potent opioid adulterants (e.g., fentanyl) in the unregulated drug supply, drug checking services (DCS) have emerged as part of a comprehensive approach to overdose prevention. In Canada's largest city, Toronto, a network of DCS launched in 2019 to prevent overdose and overdose-related risk behaviors. This network employs mass spectrometry technologies, with intake sites co-located with supervised consumption services (SCS) at three frontline harm reduction agencies. The protocol and rationale for assessing the impact of this multi-site DCS network in Toronto is described herein. The aims of this study are to (1) evaluate the impact of DCS access on changes in and factors influencing overdose and related risk behaviors, (2) investigate the perceived capacity of DCS to prevent overdose, and (3) identify composition (qualitative and quantitative) trends in Toronto's unregulated drug supply. METHODS We will use a parallel-mixed-methods design with complementary data sources (including data from chemical analysis of drug samples, quantitative intake and post-test surveys, SCS, coroners, paramedic services, and qualitative interviews), followed by a meta-inference process wherein results from analyses are synthesized. RESULTS Whereas most DCS globally target "recreational drug users," in Toronto, this networked DCS will primarily target marginalized people who use drugs accessing frontline services, many of whom use drugs regularly and by injection. This evolution in the application of DCS poses important questions that have not yet been explored, including optimal service delivery models and technologies, as well as unique barriers for this population. Increasing information on the unregulated drug supply may modify the risk environment for this population of people who use drugs. CONCLUSIONS This study addresses evidence gaps on the emerging continuum of overdose prevention responses and will generate critical evidence on a novel approach to reducing the ongoing high incidence of drug-related morbidity and mortality in Canada and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Maghsoudi
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1 W8, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - K McDonald
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1 W8, Canada
| | - C Stefan
- Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - D R Beriault
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - K Mason
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - L Barnaby
- Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Altenberg
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R D MacDonald
- Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Caldwell
- Toronto Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Nisenbaum
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions and Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - P Leece
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - T M Watson
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - K W Tupper
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - L Kufner
- Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A I Scheim
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1 W8, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - D Werb
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1 W8, Canada.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Andersson L, Håkansson A, Krantz P, Johnson B. Investigating opioid-related fatalities in southern Sweden: contact with care-providing authorities and comparison of substances. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:5. [PMID: 31918732 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0354-y.pmid:31918732;pmcid:pmc6953255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid-related deaths have increased in Western countries over recent decades. Despite numerous studies investigating opioid-related mortality, only a few have focused on the lives of the deceased individuals prior to their deaths, specifically regarding contact with care-providing authorities such as health, social and correctional services. Furthermore, a change has been noted in the last two decades as to which opioids cause most deaths, from heroin to prescription opioids. However, studies comparing fatalities caused by different substances are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate contact with care-providing authorities during the year prior to death among individuals who died as a result of opioid intoxication and to analyse differences relating to which opioids caused their deaths. METHODS The study is based on retrospective register data and includes 180 individuals with a history of illicit drug use, who died from opioid intoxication in Skåne, Sweden, between 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 and 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. Intoxications caused by heroin, methadone, buprenorphine and fentanyl were included. Data were collected from the National Board of Forensic Medicine, regional health care services, municipal social services and the Prison and Probation Service. Statistical testing was performed using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test to analyse group differences. RESULTS A total of 89% of the deceased individuals had been in contact with one or more of the care-providing authorities during the year prior to death; 75% had been in contact with health care, 69% with the social services, 28% with the Prison and Probation Service, and 23% had been enrolled in opioid substitution treatment at some point during their final year of life. Few differences appeared between the substance groups with regard to which opioid contributed to the death. In addition to opioids, sedatives were present in more than 80% of the cases. Individuals whose deaths were buprenorphine-related had been in contact with the social services to a significantly lesser extent during the year prior to death. CONCLUSIONS The studied population is characterised by extensive contact with care-providing authorities, thus providing numerous opportunities for authorities to reach this group with preventive and other interventions. Few differences emerged between groups with regard to which opioid had contributed to the death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Andersson
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Anders Håkansson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Malmö Addiction Centre, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Peter Krantz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Forensic Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Johnson
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
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Nesoff ED, Branas CC, Martins SS. The Geographic Distribution of Fentanyl-Involved Overdose Deaths in Cook County, Illinois. Am J Public Health 2020; 110:98-105. [PMID: 31725315 PMCID: PMC6893352 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2019.305368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To contrast the geographic distribution of fentanyl-involved and non-fentanyl-involved fatal overdoses between 2014 and 2018 in Cook County, Illinois.Methods. We conducted a spatial analysis using locations of fentanyl-involved fatal overdoses (n = 1433) compared with nonfentanyl opioid and polydrug fatal overdoses (n = 1838) collected through the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office from 2014 to 2018. We also used logistic regression to test significant individual- and neighborhood-level covariates.Results. Fentanyl overdoses geographically clustered more than nonfentanyl overdoses, and this difference was statistically significant. One area in particular showed significantly elevated risk for fentanyl overdoses (P < .05) located in 2 specific neighborhoods of Chicago. The odds of a fentanyl-involved overdose were significantly increased for men, Blacks, Latinos/as, and younger individuals. Neighborhood deprivation score was the only significant neighborhood-level predictor (odds ratio = 1.11; 95% confidence interval = 1.07, 1.17).Conclusions. Fentanyl-involved fatal overdoses follow a distinct geographic distribution associated with resource deprivation in neighborhoods where they occur. This suggests an evolving bifurcated drug market, with drug markets in resource-deprived neighborhoods disproportionately likely to include fentanyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth D Nesoff
- The authors are with the Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Charles C Branas
- The authors are with the Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Silvia S Martins
- The authors are with the Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
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Bowen DA, O'Donnell J, Sumner SA. Increases in Online Posts About Synthetic Opioids Preceding Increases in Synthetic Opioid Death Rates: a Retrospective Observational Study. J Gen Intern Med 2019; 34:2702-2704. [PMID: 31468343 PMCID: PMC6854351 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05255-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Bowen
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julie O'Donnell
- Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steven A Sumner
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Wilde M, Sommer MJ, Auwärter V, Hermanns-Clausen M. Acute severe intoxication with cyclopropylfentanyl, a novel synthetic opioid. Toxicol Lett 2019; 320:109-112. [PMID: 31778775 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2016 an increase has been observed in the availability of new synthetic opioids (NSO) in Europe. Cyclopropylfentanyl is a very potent and selective μ-opioid agonist, which was reported for the first time in August 2017 in Europe. METHODS The case was included in a prospective observational study of patients treated in emergency departments after the intake of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Clinical features were acquired using a structured questionnaire for physicians. Serum and/or urine samples of ED patients were analyzed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) screening methods for NPS. CASE REPORT Within 10 min after intranasal intake of fentanyl, a 25-year-old male developed nausea, profuse sweating and dyspnoe. Because soon afterwards coma and respiratory insufficiency was noticed, the patient was admitted to hospital. After administration of naloxone (0.8 mg) breathing stabilized. However, the patient displayed recurrent decreases of oxygen saturation for 12 h. The intake of cyclopropylfentanyl was analytically confirmed. CONCLUSION The constantly growing diversity of NSO still poses a high risk for drug users and can be a challenging task for clinicians and forensic toxicologists. Clinicians treating opioid overdoses should be aware of the potentially long lasting respiratory depression induced by fentanyl analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice Wilde
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michaela J Sommer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maren Hermanns-Clausen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Poisons Information Center, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Hedegaard H, Bastian BA, Trinidad JP, Spencer MR, Warner M. Regional Differences in the Drugs Most Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths: United States, 2017. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2019; 68:1-16. [PMID: 32501207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective-This report describes regional differences in the specific drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2017. Methods-Data from the 2017 National Vital Statistics System-Mortality files were linked to electronic files containing literal text information from death certificates. Drug overdose deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision underlying cause-of-death codes X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, and Y10-Y14. Drug mentions were identified using established methods for searching the literal text from death certificates. Deaths were assigned to 1 of 10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regions based on the decedent's state of residence. The number and age-adjusted death rate was determined for the 10 drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths in 2017, both nationally and for each HHS region. Deaths involving more than one drug were counted in all relevant drug categories (i.e., the same death could be counted in more than one drug category). Results-Among drug overdose deaths in 2017 that mentioned at least 1 specific drug on the death certificate, the 10 drugs most frequently involved included fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, alprazolam, oxycodone, morphine, methadone, hydrocodone, and diphenhydramine. Regionally, 6 drugs (alprazolam, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methadone, and oxycodone) were found among the 10 most frequently involved drugs in all 10 HHS regions, although the relative ranking varied by region. Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl or deaths involving cocaine were higher in the regions east of the Mississippi River, while age-adjusted rates for drug overdose deaths involving methamphetamine were higher in the West. The regional patterns observed did not change after adjustment for differences in the specificity of drug reporting. Conclusions-The drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths in 2017 varied by HHS region. Understanding the regional differences can help inform local prevention and policy efforts.
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Chen CH, Mullen AJ, Hofstede D, Rizvi T. Malignant cerebellar edema in three-year-old girl following accidental opioid ingestion and fentanyl administration. Neuroradiol J 2019; 32:386-391. [PMID: 31328634 PMCID: PMC6728701 DOI: 10.1177/1971400919863713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A three-year-old girl was found altered with an unknown timeline. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry was positive for hydromorphone, dihydrocodeine, and hydrocodone. Initial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a malignant cerebellar edema not confined to a vascular distribution. She received fentanyl boluses on hospital days 0 and 1 before receiving a continuous infusion on day 1. On day 3, she had an episode of acute hypertension and bradycardia. Emergent computed tomography showed an evolving hydrocephalus and similar diffuse edema throughout both cerebellar hemispheres. External ventricular drain was placed to relieve the increased intracranial pressure. Following drain placement and fentanyl discontinuation, the patient recovered, though not without fine- and gross-motor deficits at the four-month follow-up. Our case adds to a handful of case reports of opioid toxicity in pediatric patients that present as toxic leukoencephalopathy. Though the mechanism is poorly understood, it has been suggested to be a consequence of the neurotoxic effects of the drug, which has particular affinity for µ opioid receptors-the primary opioid receptor found in the cerebellum. Clinicians would do well to recognize that this syndrome is primarily caused by direct toxicity rather than ischemia. This case adds insight by suggesting that lipophilic opioid analgesics may worsen this neurotoxicity. When intervening with mechanical ventilation, clinicians should consider avoiding lipophilic opioid drugs for analgesia until the pathogenesis of cerebellar edema is better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy H Chen
- School of Medicine, University of
Mississippi, USA
| | | | - Dustin Hofstede
- Department of Radiology,
University
of Mississippi Medical Center, USA
| | - Tanvir Rizvi
- Department of Radiology, University of
Virginia Health System, USA
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Bucerius SM, Haggerty KD. Fentanyl behind bars: The implications of synthetic opiates for prisoners and correctional officers. Int J Drug Policy 2019; 71:133-138. [PMID: 31349150 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Fentanyl and derivatives are lethal components of North America's opioid crisis. Prisons often house a disproportionate number of illicit opiate users. To date, no on-the-ground empirical research exists on how opioids are altering the health and risk profile of prisons. The objectives of this study were to examine (1) how fentanyl and its analogues have shaped the prison experience for prisoners; and (2) how these opioids have altered the occupation of correctional officers (CO's). METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 587 adult prisoners and 131 COs across four provincial prisons in Western Canada. Prisoners were recruited on their housing units and randomly selected. COs were recruited through non-probability, theoretical sampling. We employed a generalized prompt guide and asked a range of questions pertaining to how the presence of fentanyl and its analogues have changed the prison experience for prisoners and have impacted the work routine of COs. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, thematically coded and analyzed using Nvivo 11. RESULTS For prisoners, we identified four main results: (1) the presence of fentanyl leads to an increased number of overdoses; (2) prisons are nonetheless perceived as a comparatively safe place to use drugs; (3) fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs, making it hard for drug users to avoid fentanyl; and (4) prisoners fear fentanyl is being weaponized. For officers, we identified: (1) increased fears about inadvertent personal exposure or widespread institutional opioid contamination; (2) fear of targeted poisonings; (3) changing attitudes towards opioid-using prisoners; and (4) a declining commitment to correctional careers. CONCLUSION The presence of fentanyl in prisons has significantly influenced how prisoners experience prison and relate to each other and how COs perceive their job. COs now identify fentanyl as the greatest risk to their safety in prisons.
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Rouhani S, Park JN, Morales KB, Green TC, Sherman SG. Harm reduction measures employed by people using opioids with suspected fentanyl exposure in Boston, Baltimore, and Providence. Harm Reduct J 2019; 16:39. [PMID: 31234942 PMCID: PMC6591810 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0311-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to potent synthetic opioids such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) has fueled the escalating overdose crisis in the USA, particularly in the east coast. Drug checking services, which allow people who use drugs (PWUD) to learn about the contents of their drugs, remain limited and even criminalized in many states. Further, there is a persistent belief that PWUD are not willing or able to change their behaviors despite being aware of their potential exposure to fentanyl through drug use. METHODS We conducted a multi-site cross-sectional study among PWUD to assess what behaviors, if any, were employed in the case of suspected fentanyl exposure, and the correlates of engaging in harm reduction behaviors (HRB). PWUD (N = 334) were recruited in Boston (n = 80), Providence (n = 79), and in Baltimore (n = 175). At the time of the survey, no legal drug checking services were available in these cities. RESULTS The majority of PWUD (84%) expressed concern about fentanyl. Among those who suspected fentanyl exposure prior to using their drugs (n = 196), 39% reported employing HRB including using less of the drug (12%) or abstaining altogether (10%), using more slowly (5%), and doing a tester shot (5%). In adjusted logistic regression models, the odds (aOR) of practicing HRB after suspecting fentanyl exposure were increased among PWUD who were non-White (aOR 2.1; p = 0.004) and older (aOR 1.52 per decade of age; p < 0.001). Daily injection (aOR 0.50; p < 0.001), using drugs in public (aOR 0.58; p = 0.001), using drugs alone (aOR 0.68; p < 0.001), and experiencing multiple recent overdoses (aOR 0.55; p < 0.001) were associated with decreased odds of practicing HRB. CONCLUSIONS These data illustrate that PWUD employ a number of practices to reduce overdose risk in a context of unknown drug purity and content. Results may also guide efforts to identify early adopters of drug checking services and engage them in peer-outreach to target the most socially and structurally vulnerable PWUD, who are not reporting behavior change, with harm reduction messaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Rouhani
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Ju Nyeong Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kenneth B Morales
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Traci C Green
- Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Rajesh R, Dasarathy J. Would you be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of this particular drug overdose? J Fam Pract 2019; 68:290-292. [PMID: 31287444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
These 2 cases offer insights to faster recognition of a common cause of drug overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Rajesh
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jaividhya Dasarathy
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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Spencer MR, Warner M, Bastian BA, Trinidad JP, Hedegaard H. Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Fentanyl, 2011-2016. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2019. [PMID: 31112123 DOI: 10.15620/cdc:105105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives-Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been increasingly identified in drug overdose deaths. This report describes trends in drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl by demographic characteristics and geographic regions from 2011 through 2016. Methods-Drug overdose deaths were identified from the National Vital Statistics System-Mortality (NVSS-M) multiple cause-of-death files (2011-2016) using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision underlying causes of death (codes X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, or Y10-Y14). NVSS-M records for drug overdose deaths were linked with literal text from death certificates. Drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl were identified using a methodology established collaboratively by the National Center for Health Statistics and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-referred to as the Drugs Mentioned with Involvement (DMI) methodology-supplemented with search terms identified using text analytics software. Fentanyl involvement was determined by the presence of any string term or phrase listing fentanyl, or any fentanyl metabolite, precursor, analog, or misspelling identified in the death certificate literal text fields (i.e., the causes of death from Part I, significant conditions contributing to death from Part II, and a description of how the injury occurred). Trends were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute's Joinpoint Regression Program. Results-The number of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl was stable in 2011 (1,663) and 2012 (1,615), and began to increase in 2013, rising to 18,335 deaths in 2016. The ageadjusted rate increased from 0.5 per 100,000 standard population in 2011 to 5.9 per 100,000 in 2016, with the increase starting in 2013 (0.6 in 2013 to 1.3 in 2014 and 2.6 in 2015). Numbers and rates increased for all sex, age, and racial and ethnic subgroups, and most public health regions. Adjustment for improved drug reporting over the study period did not change the trend patterns observed.
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Strike C, Watson TM. Losing the uphill battle? Emergent harm reduction interventions and barriers during the opioid overdose crisis in Canada. Int J Drug Policy 2019; 71:178-182. [PMID: 30975595 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Canada continues to experience an escalating opioid overdose crisis that has claimed more than 8000 lives in the country since 2016. The presence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its analogues is a central contributor to the increases in preventable opioid-related deaths. However, a number of converging social-structural factors (e.g., the continued criminalisation of drug use, political changes) and political barriers are also complicating and contributing to the current crisis. We briefly outline four harm reduction interventions (i.e., injectable opioid agonist treatment, naloxone distribution programs, overdose prevention sites, and drug checking services) as emerging and rapidly expanding responses to this crisis in Canada. These examples of innovation and expansion are encouraging but also occurring at the same time that the opioid overdose crisis shows few signs of abating. To truly address the crisis, Canada needs political environments at all government levels that are responsive and foster harm reduction innovation and drug policy experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Strike
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M7, Canada.
| | - Tara Marie Watson
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M7, Canada
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36
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Dai Z, Abate MA, Smith GS, Kraner JC, Mock AR. Fentanyl and fentanyl-analog involvement in drug-related deaths. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 196:1-8. [PMID: 30658219 PMCID: PMC6447047 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To describe and analyze the involvement of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (FAs) in drug-related deaths in West Virginia (WV), United States. METHODS Retrospective analyses of all WV drug-related deaths from 2005 to 2017 were performed, including comparisons of demographic and toxicological characteristics among total deaths, deaths in which fentanyl/FAs were present, deaths in which they were absent, heroin-related deaths, and prescription opioid-related deaths. RESULTS Most of the 8813 drug-related deaths were overdoses, with about 11% resulting from transportation/other injuries in which drugs were contributors. Prescription opioid presence (without fentanyl) decreased by 75% from 2005-14 to 2015-17 (3545 deaths to 859 deaths, respectively), while fentanyl involvement in the deaths increased by 122% between these periods (487 to 1082 deaths). Ten FAs were identified (427 instances) after 2015. Alprazolam and ethanol were among the top five most frequently identified substances across years. Fentanyl, heroin and cocaine replaced oxycodone, diazepam and hydrocodone in the top five beginning in 2015. Few decedents had a prescription for fentanyl after 2015, with fewer prescriptions also present for other controlled substances identified. CONCLUSIONS Fentanyl, rapidly emerging FAs, and other illicit drugs in recent years pose a serious health threat even though prescription opioid-related deaths decreased over the same time period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Dai
- School of Public Health, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States.
| | - Marie A Abate
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 1124 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States.
| | - Gordon S Smith
- School of Public Health, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States.
| | - James C Kraner
- West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 619 Virginia Street West, Charleston, WV 25302, United States.
| | - Allen R Mock
- West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 619 Virginia Street West, Charleston, WV 25302, United States.
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Scheuermeyer FX, Grafstein E, Buxton J, Ahamad K, Lysyshyn M, DeVlaming S, Prinsloo G, Van Veen C, Kestler A, Gustafson R. Safety of a Modified Community Trailer to Manage Patients with Presumed Fentanyl Overdose. J Urban Health 2019; 96:21-26. [PMID: 30324356 PMCID: PMC6391297 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0321-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Opioid overdoses (OD) cause substantial morbidity and mortality globally, and current emergency management is typically limited to supportive care, with variable emphasis on harm reduction and addictions treatment. Our urban setting has a high concentration of patients with presumed fentanyl OD, which places a burden on both pre-hospital and emergency department (ED) resources. From December 13, 2016, to March 1, 2017, we placed a modified trailer away from an ED but near the center of the expected area of high OD and accepted low-risk patients with presumed fentanyl OD. We provided OD treatment as well as on-site harm reduction, addictions care, and community resources. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients requiring transfer to an ED for clinical deterioration, while secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients initiated on opioid agonists and provided take-home naloxone kits. We treated 269 patients with opioid OD, transferred three (1.1%) to a local ED, started 43 (16.0%) on opioid agonists, and provided 220 (81.7%) with THN. Our program appears to be safe and may serve as a model for other settings dealing with a large numbers of opioid OD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Grafstein
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jane Buxton
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Keith Ahamad
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Mark Lysyshyn
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Stan DeVlaming
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gerrit Prinsloo
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Kestler
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Reka Gustafson
- St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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Lovrecic B, Lovrecic M, Gabrovec B, Carli M, Pacini M, Maremmani AGI, Maremmani I. Non-Medical Use of Novel Synthetic Opioids: A New Challenge to Public Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16020177. [PMID: 30634521 PMCID: PMC6352208 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16020177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Background: In the last decade there has been a progressive increase in the use of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) that are not yet under international control. In particular, novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) have reappeared on the recreational drug market in the last few years. As a result, the use of NSOs has increased rapidly. This poses an emerging and demanding challenge to public health. Aim: To raise awareness among clinicians and other professionals about NPSs, especially NSOs, to summarize current knowledge about pharmacological properties, forms of NSO on the market, pattern of use, effects and consequences of use. Methods: An electronic search was carried out on the Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar databases to find selected search terms. Results: Some NPSs are already controlled, while others can be legally sold directly on the drug market (mainly via internet, less so by drug dealers) or be used as precursors for the synthesis of other designer drugs that mimic the psychoactive effects of controlled substances. Potential side-effects of NSOs include miosis, sedation, respiratory depression, hypothermia, inhibition of gastrointestinal propulsion, death (from opioid overdose). Conclusions: The severity of the opioid crisis has intensified with the introduction of highly potent NSOs on the drug market. As long as addicts are dying from overdose or similar causes, there is something more constructive to do than waiting for addicts to overdose on heroin at a place located near a remedy, as if to say, within reach of naloxone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mercedes Lovrecic
- National Institute of Public Health, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Centre for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Izola Health Centre, 6310 Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Branko Gabrovec
- National Institute of Public Health, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Marco Carli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Matteo Pacini
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Angelo G I Maremmani
- Department of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Versilia Zone, 55049 Viareggio, Italy.
- Association for the Application of Neuroscientific Knowledge to Social Aims (AU-CNS), Pietrasanta, 55045 Lucca, Italy.
| | - Icro Maremmani
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
- Association for the Application of Neuroscientific Knowledge to Social Aims (AU-CNS), Pietrasanta, 55045 Lucca, Italy.
- Vincent P. Dole Dual Disorder Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
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Mayer S, Boyd J, Collins A, Kennedy MC, Fairbairn N, McNeil R. Characterizing fentanyl-related overdoses and implications for overdose response: Findings from a rapid ethnographic study in Vancouver, Canada. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 193:69-74. [PMID: 30343236 PMCID: PMC6447427 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND North America is experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic, fuelled by the proliferation of fentanyl, related analogues, and fentanyl-adulterated opioids. British Columbia, Canada has similarly experienced a rapid increase in the proportion of opioid overdose deaths associated with fentanyl. This study builds off of research characterizing fentanyl exposure to further explore the presentation of fentanyl use and related overdoses among people who use drugs. METHODS From December 2016 to April 2017, rapid ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Vancouver, Canada to examine the implementation of low-threshold overdose prevention sites, where people use drugs under the supervision of staff and peers trained to respond to overdose. Data collection included 185 h of ethnographic observation and in-depth interviews with 72 people who inject drugs, 44 of whom reported experiencing an overdose in the year prior to the interviews. RESULTS While most participants had experienced previous opioid-related overdose, they characterized how fentanyl was markedly distinct in terms of: potency, and rapid onset. Ethnographic observations and participant narratives highlighted how fentanyl use and related overdoses had implications for frontline response, including: rapid onset, multiple concurrent overdoses, body and chest rigidity, and the need to administer larger doses of naloxone. CONCLUSIONS Participant narratives and observational data documented distinct symptoms for fentanyl-attributed overdoses compared to other opioid related overdose events, which had implications for response. Findings may serve to inform best practices in responding to fentanyl-related overdoses including; the provision of oxygen and effective doses of naloxone, and also considerations regarding overdose identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara Mayer
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Level 4, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Level 4, 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.
| | - Alexandra Collins
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Level 4, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Level 4, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Level 4, 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.
| | - Ryan McNeil
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Level 4, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
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Fomin D, Baranauskaite V, Usaviciene E, Sumkovskaja A, Laima S, Jasulaitis A, Minkuviene ZN, Chmieliauskas S, Stasiuniene J. Human deaths from drug overdoses with carfentanyl involvement-new rising problem in forensic medicine: A STROBE-compliant retrospective study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e13449. [PMID: 30508965 PMCID: PMC6283219 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000013449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Carfentanyl, an ultra-potent synthetic opioid, is approved for use only in veterinary medicine as a tranquilizing agent. However, many cases of human poisoning with carfentanyl have recently appeared in the news with limited information given and scientific literature provides only 1 case of documented human exposure to carfentanyl.Fifteen cases of death from drug overdoses with carfentanyl involvement are being presented. Fifteen blood and urine samples have been taken for alcohol and drug testing. Headspace gas chromatography was used for alcohol detection. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/MS TOF) system was used for drug detection.Sixty-three cases of death from poisoning with drugs have been tested for carfentanyl in the State Forensic Medicine Service. Fifteen of them were positive for carfentanyl.The cases mentioned above show that carfentanyl exposure causes signs and symptoms similar to other opioid toxicity. Carfentanyl intoxication may even be fatal if appropriate treatment is not available. Therefore, nowadays it is very important to draw forensic medicine expert's attention to new substances in drug trade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrij Fomin
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University
- State Forensic Medicine Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | | | - Sigitas Laima
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University
- State Forensic Medicine Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Algimantas Jasulaitis
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University
| | - Zita Nijole Minkuviene
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University
- State Forensic Medicine Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Sigitas Chmieliauskas
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University
- State Forensic Medicine Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jurgita Stasiuniene
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University
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41
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Affiliation(s)
- Utsha G Khatri
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kendra Viner
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jeanmarie Perrone
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Phalen P, Ray B, Watson DP, Huynh P, Greene MS. Fentanyl related overdose in Indianapolis: Estimating trends using multilevel Bayesian models. Addict Behav 2018; 86:4-10. [PMID: 29631798 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The opioid epidemic has been largely attributed to changes in prescribing practices over the past 20 years. Although current overdose trends appear driven by the opioid fentanyl, heroin has remained the focus of overdose fatality assessments. We obtained full toxicology screens on lethal overdose cases in a major US city, allowing more accurate assessment of the time-course of fentanyl-related deaths. METHODS We used coroner data from Marion County, Indiana comprising 1583 overdose deaths recorded between January 1, 2010 and April 30, 2017. Bayesian multilevel models were fitted to predict likelihood of lethal fentanyl-related overdose using information about the victim's age, race, sex, zip code, and date of death. RESULTS Three hundred and seventy-seven (23.8%) overdose deaths contained fentanyl across the seven-year period. Rates rose exponentially over time, beginning well below 15% from 2010 through 2013 before rising to approximately 50% by 2017. At the beginning of the study period, rates of fentanyl overdose were lowest among Black persons but increased more rapidly, eventually surpassing Whites. Currently, White females are at particularly low risk of fentanyl overdose whereas Black females are at high risk. Rates were highest for younger and middle-aged groups. Over time, fentanyl was more likely detected without the presence of other opioids. CONCLUSIONS Fentanyl has increasingly been detected in fatal overdose deaths in Marion County. Policy and program responses must focus on education for those at highest risk of fentanyl exposure and death. These responses should also be tailored to meet the unique needs of high-risk demographics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Phalen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Bradley Ray
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, 801 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
| | - Dennis P Watson
- Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1050 Wishard Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Philip Huynh
- Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1050 Wishard Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Marion S Greene
- Center for Health Policy, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, 1050 Wishard Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
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McKnight C, Des Jarlais DC. Being "hooked up" during a sharp increase in the availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl: Adaptations of drug using practices among people who use drugs (PWUD) in New York City. Int J Drug Policy 2018; 60:82-88. [PMID: 30176422 PMCID: PMC6457118 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF), a category of synthetic opioids 50-100 times more potent than morphine, is increasingly being added to heroin and other drugs in the United States (US). Persons who use drugs (PWUD) are frequently unaware of the presence of fentanyl in drugs. Use of heroin and other drugs containing fentanyl has been linked to sharp increases in opioid mortality. In New York City (NYC), opioid-related mortality increased from 8.2 per 100,000 residents in 2010 to 19.9 per 100,000 residents in 2016; and, in 2016, fentanyl accounted for 44% of NYC overdose deaths. Little is known about how PWUD are adapting to the increase in fentanyl and overdose mortality. This study explores PWUDs' adaptations to drug using practices due to fentanyl. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 55 PWUD at three NYC syringe services programs (SSP) about perceptions of fentanyl, overdose experiences and adaptations of drug using practices. PWUD utilized test shots, a consistent drug dealer, fentanyl test strips, naloxone, getting high with or near others and reducing drug use to protect from overdose. Consistent application of these methods was often negated by structural level factors such as stigma, poverty and homelessness. To address these, multi-level overdose prevention approaches should be implemented in order to reduce the continuing increase in opioid mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- C McKnight
- New York University, College of Global Public Health, 665 Broadway, 8th floor, New York, NY 10012, United States.
| | - D C Des Jarlais
- New York University, College of Global Public Health, 665 Broadway, 8th floor, New York, NY 10012, United States
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Karamouzian M, Dohoo C, Forsting S, McNeil R, Kerr T, Lysyshyn M. Evaluation of a fentanyl drug checking service for clients of a supervised injection facility, Vancouver, Canada. Harm Reduct J 2018; 15:46. [PMID: 30200991 PMCID: PMC6131768 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-018-0252-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND British Columbia, Canada, is experiencing a public health emergency related to opioid overdoses driven by consumption of street drugs contaminated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This cross-sectional study evaluates a drug checking intervention for the clients of a supervised injection facility (SIF) in Vancouver. METHODS Insite is a facility offering supervised injection services in Vancouver's Downtown East Side, a community with high levels of injection drug use and associated harms, including overdose deaths. During July 7, 2016, to June 21, 2017, Insite clients were offered an opportunity to check their drugs for fentanyl using a test strip designed to test urine for fentanyl. Results of the drug check were recorded along with information including the substance checked, whether the client intended to dispose of the drug or reduce the dose and whether they experienced an overdose. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the associations between drug checking results and dose reduction or drug disposal. Crude odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. RESULTS About 1% of the visits to Insite during the study resulted in a drug check. Out of 1411 drug checks conducted by clients, 1121 (79.8%) were positive for fentanyl. Although most tests were conducted post-consumption, following a positive pre-consumption drug check, 36.3% (n = 142) of participants reported planning to reduce their drug dose while only 11.4% (n = 50) planned to dispose of their drug. While the odds of intended dose reduction among those with a positive drug check was significantly higher than those with a negative result (OR = 9.36; 95% CI 4.25-20.65), no association was observed between drug check results and intended drug disposal (OR = 1.60; 95% CI 0.79-3.26). Among all participants, intended dose reduction was associated with significantly lower odds of overdose (OR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.18-0.89). CONCLUSIONS Although only a small proportion of visits resulted in a drug check, a high proportion (~ 80%) of the drugs checked were contaminated with fentanyl. Drug checking at harm reduction facilities such as SIFs might be a feasible intervention that could contribute to preventing overdoses in the context of the current overdose emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Karamouzian
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616913555 Iran
| | - Carolyn Dohoo
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9 Canada
| | - Sara Forsting
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2 Canada
| | - Ryan McNeil
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Mark Lysyshyn
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2 Canada
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Mardal M, Johansen SS, Davidsen AB, Telving R, Jornil JR, Dalsgaard PW, Hasselstrøm JB, Øiestad ÅM, Linnet K, Andreasen MF. Postmortem analysis of three methoxyacetylfentanyl-related deaths in Denmark and in vitro metabolite profiling in pooled human hepatocytes. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 290:310-317. [PMID: 30107329 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Methoxyacetylfentanyl belongs to the group of fentanyl analogues and has been associated with several deaths in recent years. We present three case reports of deceased individuals that tested positive for methoxyacetylfentanyl consumption, as well as in vitro and in vivo metabolite profiles. Methoxyacetylfentanyl was quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in femoral blood, as well as in urine and brain tissue when these were available. Metabolite profiling was performed by incubating methoxyacetylfentanyl with pooled human hepatocytes (pHH) in Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum. Metabolites were identified in vivo and in vitro using UHPLC-high resolution (HR)-MS/MS. The measured methoxyacetylfentanyl concentration was 0.022-0.056mg/kg (N=3) in femoral blood, 0.12mg/kg (N=1) in urine, and 0.074mg/kg (N=1) in brain tissue homogenate. A total of 10 metabolites were identified. The observed metabolic pathways were: hydroxylation(s), N-dealkylation, O-demethylation, deamination, glucuronidation, and combinations thereof. Major analytical targets in vitro and across measured biological samples in vivo were methoxyacetylfentanyl, the O-demethyl- metabolite, and the deamide-metabolite. Intoxication with methoxyacetylfentanyl was judged as the cause of death or a major contributing factor in all three presented cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mardal
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - S S Johansen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A B Davidsen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R Telving
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J R Jornil
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - P W Dalsgaard
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J B Hasselstrøm
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Å M Øiestad
- Section of Forensic Toxicological Analysis, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - K Linnet
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M F Andreasen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Abstract
This study uses National Vital Statistics System data to describe trends in synthetic opioid involvement in drug overdose deaths in the United States from 2010 to 2016.
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47
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Wood
- From the Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, and the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use - both in Vancouver, Canada
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48
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Baldwin N, Gray R, Goel A, Wood E, Buxton JA, Rieb LM. Fentanyl and heroin contained in seized illicit drugs and overdose-related deaths in British Columbia, Canada: An observational analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 185:322-327. [PMID: 29486421 PMCID: PMC5889734 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the alarming rise in opioid-related overdose deaths, a public health emergency was declared in British Columbia (BC). In this study, we examined the relationship between illicit fentanyl and heroin found in seized drugs and illicit overdose deaths in BC. METHODS An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted using BC data from Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service, which analyzes drug samples seized by law enforcement agencies, and non-intentional illicit overdoses from the BC Coroner's Service, from 2000 to 2016. Initial scatter plots and subsequent multivariate regression analysis were performed to describe the potential relationship between seized illicit fentanyl samples and overdose deaths and to determine if this differed from seized heroin and overdose deaths. Fentanyl samples were analyzed for other drug content. RESULTS Fentanyl is increasingly being found combined with other opioid and non-opioid illicit drugs. Strong positive relationships were found between the number of seized fentanyl samples and total overdose deaths (R2 = 0.97) as well as between seized fentanyl and fentanyl-detected overdose deaths (R2 = 0.99). A positive association was found between the number of seized heroin samples and total overdose deaths (R2 = 0.78). CONCLUSION This research contributes to the expanding body of evidence implicating illicit fentanyl use (often combined with heroin or other substances) in overdose deaths in BC. Policy makers and healthcare providers are urged to implement drug treatment and harm reduction strategies for people at risk of overdose associated with current trends in illicit opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Baldwin
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
| | - Roger Gray
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
| | - Anirudh Goel
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
| | - Evan Wood
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, and B.C. Centre on Substance Use, 2312 Pandosy St., Kelowna, B.C., Canada.
| | - Jane A Buxton
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, and B.C. Centre for Disease Control, 655 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
| | - Launette Marie Rieb
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vinod Raman
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | - Alfred DeMaria
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Jamaica Plain, MA
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50
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Dowell
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rita K Noonan
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Debra Houry
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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