Objectives:
The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health, substance use, and overdose concerns among people who use drugs (PWUDs) in rural communities to explore reasons for changes and ways to mitigate COVID-19 impact in the future.
Methods:
We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with PWUDs in 5 rural Oregon counties with high overdose rates. Participants were identified through participant-driven sampling along with flyer and text advertising (n = 36). Research staff conducted audio-recorded in-depth interviews via telephone, assessing COVID-19 effects on substance use, mental health, and overdose risk. Transcribed interviewers were coded for themes using a semantic approach.
Results:
Participants reported various mental health symptoms and experiences due to COVID-19, including increased feelings of boredom, loneliness, and depression; increased worry and stress; and increased suicidal ideation. Participants described varying impacts of COVID-19 on substance use. Overall, participants who used only methamphetamine reported decreased use and people who used only heroin or heroin with methamphetamine reported increased use. Most participants reported that they were not concerned about overdose and that COVID-19 did not impact their concerns about overdose, despite increases in risky use and suicidal ideations.
Conclusions:
As rural communities respond to the evolving impacts of COVID-19, there is increasing need to identify strategies to address PWUD's mental, physical, and social health needs during COVID-19.
Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) treatment in people who inject drugs (PWID) is a key component of elimination models but PWID face substantial barriers to treatment access. Despite data showing treatment outcomes among PWID on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are similar to non-PWID outcomes, few studies examine PWID treatment outcomes with only syringe services support. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of recruitment for HCV treatment with elbasvir/grazoprevir (E/G) in a syringe services program (SSP) as compared to an MOUD program for people with opioid use disorder. Methods: This real-world, multi-site prospective open-label pilot study compares treatment of PWID with aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APRI) < 0.7 and genotype 1a, 1b, and 4 HCV with E/G, engaged in MOUD (n = 25) or an SSP (n = 25). The MOUD arm was enrolled through a federally qualified community health center and SSP arm through a nearby SSP. Prospective arms were compared to an academic hepatology clinic group (n = 50). Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12), medication adherence, and treatment discontinuation were evaluated. Results: In the MOUD vs SSP arms, substance use throughout treatment was found in 36% (9/25) vs 100% (25/25); good adherence (> 90% pills taken) in 100% (25/25) vs 68% (17/25); treatment completion 100% (25/25) vs 64% (16/25); and SVR12 rates were 96% (24/25) vs 60% (15/25). In the community standard comparison group, SVR12 was achieved in 94% (47/50). There were two virologic failures or re-infections in the SSP group; all other non-responders were due to missing SVR12 data. Conclusions: While recruitment and follow-up are challenging in SSPs, preliminary data suggests adherence, treatment completion, and SVR12 are high in PWID treated with E/G engaging in SSP or MOUD. All metrics are comparable to community standards for non-PWID for treatment of HCV with direct-antiviral drugs.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may influence HIV/HCV transmission risk behaviors in rural communities. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with people who use drugs (PWUD) in five rural Oregon counties and asked about COVID-19 impact on substance use and harm reduction practices and their advice for improving public health responses. Participants (n = 36) reported using only methamphetamine (52.8%), only heroin (16.7%), or both (30.6%); 75% of participants reported recent injection. Three thematic categories emerged: SSP adaptations and accessibility, PWUD harm reduction practices, and policy suggestions. Participants noted the importance of SSPs to COVID-19 prevention and wellbeing, though some experienced increased barriers, leading to increased risky injection practices. Participants suggested need-based rather than one-for-one exchange, increasing syringe delivery services, encouraging secondary exchange by PWUD, and peers as trusted voices for information exchange. Rapid implementation of policy and practice changes are urgently required to improve SSP access, reinforce safer use, and prevent HIV/HCV and COVID-19 transmission.
Background
Illicit fentanyl has contributed to a drastic increase in overdose drug deaths. While fentanyl has subsumed the drug supply in the Northeastern and Midwestern USA, it has more recently reached the Western USA. For this study, we explored perspectives of people who use drugs (PWUD) on the changing drug supply in Oregon, experiences of and response to fentanyl-involved overdose, and recommendations from PWUD to reduce overdose risk within the context of illicit fentanyl’s dramatic increase in the recreational drug supply over the past decade.
Methods
We conducted in-depth interviews by phone with 34 PWUD in Oregon from May to June of 2021. We used thematic analysis to analyze transcripts and construct themes.
Results
PWUD knew about fentanyl, expressed concern about fentanyl pills, and were aware of other illicit drugs containing fentanyl. Participants were aware of the increased risk of an overdose but remained reluctant to engage with professional first responders due to fear of arrest. Participants had recommendations for reducing fentanyl overdose risk, including increasing access to information, harm reduction supplies (e.g., naloxone, fentanyl test strips), and medications for opioid use disorder; establishing drug checking services and overdose prevention sites; legalizing and regulating the drug supply; and reducing stigma enacted by healthcare providers.
Conclusion
PWUD in Oregon are aware of the rise of fentanyl and fentanyl pills and desire access to tools to reduce harm from fentanyl. As states in the Western USA face an inflection point of fentanyl in the drug supply, public health staff, behavioral health providers, and first responders can take action identified by the needs of PWUD.
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