Motivators of and barriers to drug checking engagement in British Columbia, Canada: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Tobias, Samuel; Ferguson, Max; Palis, Heather; Burmeister, Charlene; McDougall, Jenny; Liu, Lisa; Graham, Brittany; Ti, Lianping; Buxton, Jane A.

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104290

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…The finding that most participants interviewed (16/22, 73%) report currently using both opioids and stimulants further highlights the importance of drug checking prior to consumption, as well as the complexity of efforts to increase consistent checking among the different populations who are now at risk. For example, increased rates of fentanyl overdose among people who use cocaine and other stimulants, including people without a history of intentional opioid use [35] who have not built up a physical tolerance to opioids [ 36 ], indicate the escalating danger faced by people who use drugs but may not understand how the drug supply has changed in recent years. Prior to fentanyl, opioid overdose was less of a concern for people who use stimulants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to fentanyl, opioid overdose was less of a concern for people who use stimulants. As a result, many people who use cocaine, such as the participant who reported 38 years of drug use and was adamant people do not put fentanyl in cocaine, remain unaware of their current risk and could especially benefit from drug-checking services [ 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Barriers to, and Facilitators of, Checking Drugs for Adulterants in the Era of Fentanyl and Xylazine: Qualitative Study

Aronson,

Ardouin-Guerrier,

Baus

et al. 2024

JMIR Form Res

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Background Overdose deaths continue to reach new records in New York City and nationwide, largely driven by adulterants such as fentanyl and xylazine in the illicit drug supply. Unknowingly consuming adulterated substances dramatically increases risks of overdose and other health problems, especially when individuals consume multiple adulterants and are exposed to a combination of drugs they did not intend to take. Although test strips and more sophisticated devices enable people to check drugs for adulterants including fentanyl and xylazine prior to consumption and are often available free of charge, many people who use drugs decline to use them. Objective We sought to better understand why people in the New York City area do or do not check drugs before use. We plan to use study findings to inform the development of technology-based interventions to encourage consistent drug checking. Methods In summer 2023, team members who have experience working with people who use drugs conducted 22 semistructured qualitative interviews with a convenience sample of people who reported illicit drug use within the past 90 days. An interview guide examined participants’ knowledge of and experience with adulterants including fentanyl, xylazine, and benzodiazepines; using drug testing strips; and whether they had ever received harm reduction services. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for emerging themes. Results Most participants lacked knowledge of adulterants, and only a few reported regularly checking drugs. Reasons for not checking included lacking convenient access to test supplies, or a place to check samples out of the public’s view, as well as time considerations. Some participants also reported a strong belief that they were not at risk from fentanyl, xylazine, or other adulterants because they exclusively used cocaine or crack, or that they were confident the people they bought drugs from would not sell them adulterated substances. Those who did report testing their drugs described positive interactions with harm reduction agency staff. Conclusions New forms of outreach are needed not only to increase people’s knowledge of adulterated substances and awareness of the increasing risks they pose but also to encourage people who use drugs to regularly check their substances prior to use. This includes new intervention messages that highlight the importance of drug checking in the context of a rapidly changing and volatile drug supply. This messaging can potentially help normalize drug checking as an easily enacted behavior that benefits public health. To increase effectiveness, messages can be developed with, and outreach can be conducted by, trusted community members including people who use drugs and, potentially, people who sell drugs. Pairing this messaging with access to no-cost drug-checking supplies and equipment may help address the ongoing spiral of increased overdose deaths nationwide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%