Interventions to enhance testing, linkage to care, and treatment initiation for hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

˜The œLancet. Gastroenterology & hepatology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(5), P. 426 - 445

Published: March 15, 2022

Language: Английский

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Pathways between COVID-19 public health responses and increasing overdose risks: A rapid review and conceptual framework

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 93, P. 103236 - 103236

Published: March 20, 2021

Language: Английский

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A Scoping Review on the Medical and Recreational Use of Cannabis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(5), P. 591 - 602

Published: Jan. 4, 2022

Background/Introduction: The shelter-in-place orders and social distancing regulations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted lifestyles, including use cannabis. purpose this scoping review is to summarize both gray academic literature cannabis during pandemic. Materials Methods: A total 11 databases, 2 medical 7 science databases were searched resulting in 316 titles abstracts which 76 met inclusion criteria. Results: Nine themes emerged: (a) prevalence trends COVID[1]19; (b) demographics; (c) profile mode consumption; (d) context using (i.e., solitary vs. groups); (e) factors contributing use; (f) inhibiting (g) adverse clinical psychiatric outcomes pandemic; (h) similarities between EVALI (E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury) symptoms; (i) implications for policy practice. Studies published until February 2, 2021 included review. Discussion: Findings highlighted that feelings boredom, depression, anxiety contributed an increase Furthermore, accessibility was noted affect Adverse associated with increased Conclusion: Practitioners policymakers are called employ harm reduction strategies respond increasing use. There a need population-based studies further examination negative consequences.

Language: Английский

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The impact of COVID-19 on people who inject drugs in New York City: increased risk and decreased access to services

Harm Reduction Journal, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 18(1)

Published: Nov. 24, 2021

Abstract Background While people who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to the adverse outcomes of events like COVID-19, little is known regarding impact current pandemic on PWID. We examine how COVID-19 has affected PWID in New York City across four domains: substance use, risk behaviors, mental health, and service utilization. Methods As part a randomized trial improve access HCV treatment for PWID, we recruited 165 participants. Eligibility criteria included detectable RNA recent drug injection. The present cross-sectional analysis based subsample 106 compared responses between two separate samples: 60 participants interviewed prior (pre-COVID-19 sample) 46 during (COVID-19 sample). also assessed differences by study group [accessible care (AC) usual (UC)]. Results Compared pre-COVID-19 sample, those reported higher levels health issues, syringe reuse, alcohol consumption greater reductions syringe-service programs buprenorphine In conducted group, UC significantly injection behaviors lower while same period, AC use behaviors. Conclusion provides insight negatively Placing dispensing machines harm-reduction supplies communities where live increasing secondary exchange, mobile services, mail delivery may help maintain lifesaving big events, such as COVID-19. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03214679. Registered July 11 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03214679 .

Language: Английский

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Implementing an integrated multi‐technology platform for drug checking: Social, scientific, and technological considerations

Drug Testing and Analysis, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(4), P. 734 - 746

Published: March 1, 2021

Abstract The illicit drug overdose crisis in North America continues to devastate communities with fentanyl detected the majority of deaths. COVID‐19 pandemic has heightened concerns even greater unpredictability supplies and unprecedented rates overdoses. Portable drug‐checking technologies are increasingly being integrated within prevention strategies. These emerging responses raising new questions about which pursue what service models can respond current risks contexts. In been referred as epicenter Canada, a multi‐technology platform for checking is piloted community settings using suite chemical analytical methods provide real‐time harm reduction. include infrared absorption, Raman scattering, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, antibody‐based test strips. this Perspective, we illustrate some advantages challenges multiple techniques analysis same sample, an example data visualization that unify presentation results enable deeper results. We also highlight implementation various co‐exist research setting, particular emphasis on way technicians reduction workers interact users. Finally, description associated interpretation communication diverse audience.

Language: Английский

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Opioid Treatment Programs, Telemedicine and COVID-19: A Scoping Review

Substance Abuse, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 43(1), P. 539 - 546

Published: Sept. 14, 2021

Background: Methadone and buprenorphine are effective medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) that highly regulated in the United States. The on-going crisis, more recently COVID-19, has prompted reconsideration of these restrictions order to sustain improve treatment access, with renewed interest telemedicine. We reviewed evidence on telemedicine interventions applicability MOUD policy changes post-COVID-19 landscape. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews databases were searched from inception April 2021 reference lists identify additional studies. Studies eligible if they examined reported outcomes (e.g. initiation, retention care). Randomized trials controlled observational studies prioritized; other included when stronger was unavailable. One investigator abstracted key information a second verified data. described results qualitatively. Results: identified nine studies: three (two randomized), six Three evaluated patients treated methadone buprenorphine, including one study pregnant women OUD. All showed approaches associated similar (treatment retention, positive urine toxicology) compared as usual. Trials limited by small samples sizes, lack reporting harms, most conducted prior COVID-19 pandemic; failure control confounding. Conclusions: Limited suggests may enhance access effectiveness face-to-face treatment. Few have been published since it is unclear potential impact existing racial/ethnic disparities pandemic need social distancing led temporary prescribing could inform research this area support comprehensive reforms.

Language: Английский

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Living Under Coronavirus and Injecting Drugs in Bristol (LUCID-B): A qualitative study of experiences of COVID-19 among people who inject drugs

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 98, P. 103391 - 103391

Published: July 20, 2021

People who inject drugs (PWID) are a high-risk group for COVID-19 transmission and serious health consequences. Restrictions imposed in the UK response to pandemic led rapid housing service alterations. We aimed examine PWID experiences of: 1) challenges relating public measures; 2) changes opioid substitution therapy (OST) harm reduction services; 3) perceived effects of on drug use patterns risk behaviour.Telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 Bristol, Southwest England. Analysis followed reflexive thematic analysis.Concern about adherence guidance varied. Efforts made by services continue providing support during appreciated some preferred, such as less frequent OST collection, relaxation supervised consumption needle syringe programmes (NSP) home delivery. However, remote forms contact highlighted beneficial more difficult engage than in-person contact. Public advising people 'stay home' increased isolation, boredom, time ruminate which impacted negatively mental health. Lockdown restrictions directly sources income routine. Changes explained consequence isolation fewer interactions peers, problems accessing drugs, reduced purity financial resources.This study captures significant impacts lives PWID. While adaptations delivery help mitigate risks daily viewed positively, barriers access need further attention. Going forwards there may be opportunities harness positive aspects services.

Language: Английский

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A Qualitative Study of Patient Experiences with Telemedicine Opioid use Disorder Treatment during COVID-19

Substance Abuse, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 43(1), P. 1155 - 1162

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Background: The drug-related overdose crisis worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent drug policy changes to increase access medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) shifted some outpatient MOUD treatment into virtual settings reduce demand in-person care. objective of this study was qualitatively explore what is gained and lost in patient encounters patients with at a low-threshold, addiction clinic that offers buprenorphine harm reduction services. Methods: Patients were included if they received care Harm Reduction BRidges Care (HRBR) utilized visits between November 2019 March 2021. conceptualized using health framework prior studies telemedicine acceptability. Semi-structured interviews completed April Interviews dual-coded analyzed directed content analysis. Results: Nineteen conducted. sample predominantly White (84%) stably housed (79%) comparable gender (male, 53%) employment status (employed, 42%). majority (63%) preferred compared (16%) or combination both (21%). Two overarching tandem domains emerged: availability-accommodation acceptability-appropriateness. Availability-accommodation reflected participants’ desires immediate services reduced transportation work caregiving scheduling barriers, which facilitated by visits. acceptable-appropriate domain articulated how participants felt connected their providers, whether through interactions mutual trust experienced Conclusions: Virtual perceived as valuable critical option accessing OUD. While many visits, favored face-to-face due relational physical providers. Participants desired flexibility ability have choice modality depending on needs.

Language: Английский

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Increased solitary drug use during COVID-19: An unintended consequence of social distancing

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 111, P. 103923 - 103923

Published: Nov. 22, 2022

Language: Английский

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Big data and predictive modelling for the opioid crisis: existing research and future potential

The Lancet Digital Health, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 3(6), P. e397 - e407

Published: May 24, 2021

Language: Английский

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