BackgroundCrystal methamphetamine smoking is associated with many negative health consequences, including the potential for transmission of hepatitis. We examined whether or not a kit for crystal methamphetamine smoking might have some potential to reduce the negative health effects of crystal methamphetamine smoking.MethodsFive focus groups were conducted with crystal methamphetamine smokers recruited by community health agencies and youth shelters in Toronto, Canada. Target groups included homeless/street-involved youth, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and youth in the party scene. Participants (n = 32) were asked questions about motivations for crystal methamphetamine use, the process of smoking, health problems experienced, sharing behaviour, risky sexual practices, and the ideal contents of a harm reduction kit.ResultsPipe sharing was widespread among participants and was deemed integral to the social experience of smoking crystal methamphetamine. Heated pipes were unlikely to cause direct injuries, but participants mentioned having dry, cracked lips, which may be a vector for disease transmission. Many reported having sex with multiple partners and being less likely to use condoms while on the drug. Demand for harm reduction kits was mixed.ConclusionsChanging pipe sharing behaviours may be difficult because many participants considered sharing to be integral to the social experience of smoking crystal methamphetamine. Within the context of a broader health promotion and prevention program, pilot testing of safer smoking kits to initiate discussion and education on the risks associated with sharing pipes and unprotected sex for some communities (e.g., homeless/street-involved youth) is worth pursuing.
SETTING: A harm reduction program at a public health unit in Toronto, Ontario, between August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2013. INTERVENTION:We conducted a process evaluation of the first two years of an opioid overdose prevention and response program, Prevent Overdose in Toronto (POINT), including analysis of data from program documentation forms, as well as qualitative interviews with program staff, representatives from partner agencies, and program clients. OUTCOMES:In the first two years of the program, 662 individuals (52.4% male; mean age 38.3 years) were trained in opioid overdose prevention and given a naloxone kit. Among clients currently using opioids, the most frequently reported opioids were oxycodone (40.4%) and heroin (34.4%). Clients reported 98 administrations of naloxone, primarily to friends and acquaintances. Nearly all naloxone recipients reportedly survived; one did not survive, and one had an unknown outcome.Staff and partner agencies feel the program reaches the target population and that POINT training meets clients' needs. Clients would like to see the training offered more widely. Overall, staff, partner agencies and clients were pleased with the POINT program, and they offered suggestions on program recruitment and delivery.IMPLICATIONS: Individuals at risk of opioid overdose have participated in overdose prevention and response training, and reported using naloxone in overdose events. Results of this initial program evaluation are being used to improve the delivery of the POINT program and can inform broader public health practice in opioid overdose prevention.KEY WORDS: Drug overdose; naloxone; program evaluation La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.