Relational anonymity in reducing the harms of illicit drug use: accounts of users of dark web- and street-based services in Finland DOI Creative Commons
Johanna Ranta, Teemu Kaskela, Juha Nurmi

et al.

Harm Reduction Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Dec. 21, 2024

Abstract Background Protecting individual anonymity is a common practice in harm reduction (HR), as it can mitigate the fears that may prevent people from accessing services. usually means applying for services with pseudonym. However, protection practices have diversified current HR environments, example, on streets or Tor network, which relies technology to guarantee exceptionally strong anonymity. Despite its importance, individual’s need when seeking help reduce drug-related has been underexplored. Methods The research contexts included four street- and dark web-based Finland. data consisted of service user interviews naturally occurring conversations network. We focused users’ accounts their applied concept relational anonymity, acknowledging wider contextual relations intertwine situational needs asked: What kinds do users express discussing harm? How account such help? To are these attached? Results identified connections between various relations: (1) excusing by referring societal blaming Finnish society stigmatising attitudes exclusionary practices; (2) system risk negative consequences recording use illicit drugs; (3) justifying personal appealing situation, feelings experiences. Conclusions reflects problematic relations, stigma towards drug strong. were motivated rational actions avoid possible sanctions perceived abuse power services, deemed lives. Societies should promote cultural atmospheres information sharing where not needed, but protect crucial conditions.

Language: Английский

Resident and staff experiences of structural barriers to a housing-based overdose prevention site in Vancouver, Canada: “There is a double standard if you smoke” DOI Creative Commons
Benjamin D. Scher, Kelli L. Cain, David K. Humphreys

et al.

Can J Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 18, 2025

Abstract Objectives Most overdoses in British Columbia (BC), Canada, occur within housing settings. In response, the provincial government is increasingly implementing housing-based overdose prevention sites (HOPS). Within context of a contaminated drug supply, and changing consumption practices, there little research examining effectiveness HOPS. The aim this study was to explore qualitatively how residents staff experience HOPS, focusing on intervention fits into day-to-day operations low-barrier facility. Methods This undertaken at non-profit emergency shelter facility, with HOPS Vancouver, BC. We employed rapid-ethnographic methods including six weeks non-participant observation (> 200 h), three focus groups, 20 informal interviews residents, 10 semi-structured staff. Data were analyzed through an inductive thematic approach. Results Our results suggest that facility’s underutilized due variety structural factors, most prominent these being lack inhalation services. service provision exacerbates vulnerability stigma. Continued near building non-monitored areas inside creates challenges for identifying potential exposes who do not consume drugs use building. Conclusion Housing which provides safer environment include those smoke urgently needed support both individuals looking transition from injecting smoking.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Characteristics of supervised injection site clients and factors associated with requiring overdose intervention, Montreal, Canada, 2018–2022 DOI Creative Commons
Camille Zolopa, Thomas D. Brothers,

Pascale Leclerc

et al.

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 137, P. 104711 - 104711

Published: Jan. 21, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Safe consumption sites and crime: A staggered synthetic control evaluation of Toronto’s expanding safe consumption site network DOI

A. B. Frederick,

Nathan T. Connealy,

Timothy Cubitt

et al.

Journal of Experimental Criminology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 10, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
(Dealing with) Illegal Drugs and “Unwanted Land-Use”: A Socially Inclusive Future Planning Imagination for Drug Consumption Rooms DOI Creative Commons
Philip Boland, Tristan Sturm, Gillian W. Shorter

et al.

Journal of Planning Education and Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 17, 2025

This article discusses shifts in planning education. In particular, it highlights the future role of planners location Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs). The United Kingdom’s experiment with DCRs raises an important question for education and professional practice: are adequately equipped to deal “frontier politics,” stakeholder reactions, community views toward DCRs? reveals this is not case suggests practical, structural changes U.K. create a more socially inclusive imagination that engages effectively illegal drugs harm reduction interventions, how “illegal” should be planned for.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Four decades of overdose prevention centres: lessons for the future from a realist review DOI Creative Commons
Jolie R. Keemink, Alex Stevens, Sam Shirley‐Beavan

et al.

Harm Reduction Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: March 20, 2025

Abstract Background Overdose prevention centres (OPCs) are spaces where people can consume previously obtained illicit drugs under the supervision of staff who intervene to prevent and manage overdose. They have been provided in Europe elsewhere for nearly 40 years, initially response epidemic HIV/AIDS. We learn from their operation history inform future developments harm reduction services. Methods carried out a realist review 391 documents, reported according RAMESES I guidelines, synthesis these documents. Results present full programme theory OPCs, with diagrammatic logic model, how contexts mechanisms OPCs combine produce various outcomes service users communities different settings. Three specific causal pathways were evidenced through which particular groups housing status, gender identity ethnicity, local drug markets, frequency use, legal political contexts, stigma as overlapping contextual factors. Key OPC interventions include provision safe hygienic consumption space, education, timely overdose response, protection scene gender-based violence. These trigger underlying safety, trust, social inclusion, engagement, autonomy, empowerment when supported health care other services, including detoxification opioid agonist treatment. The combinations create important individual users, they live in, wider society. also describe that lead unintended, adverse outcomes. Conclusion This provides useful information policy makers, practitioners, researchers on implement evaluate maximise benefits; an task context ongoing public crises poisoning deaths North America UK, possibility increasing synthetic opioids elsewhere.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Exploring the need for overdose prevention centers in England: A qualitative community-based participatory study on the perspectives of people who use drugs in public and semi-public environments DOI Creative Commons
Benjamin D. Scher,

Mat Southwell,

Magdalena Harris

et al.

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 140, P. 104816 - 104816

Published: May 2, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Exploring drug consumption rooms as ‘inclusion health interventions’: policy implications for Europe DOI Creative Commons
Benjamin D. Scher, Benjamin W. Chrisinger, David K. Humphreys

et al.

Harm Reduction Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

People who use drugs are among the most socially excluded groups in Europe. Qualitative research on Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) has reported various benefits to clients, including increased feelings of well-being, safety and connection, however, few studies have explored in-depth client narratives belonging social inclusion. In this article, we explore literature describe ways which DCRs foster inclusion amongst their clients. With a view towards future DCR implementation Europe, argument positions as effective 'inclusion health interventions'. The shift analysis from purely harm reduction or overdose prevention response intervention one health' could work wider recognition effectiveness addressing broader inequities. At policy level, result political support for recognized interventions, through design, effectively promote

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Psychosocial Impact of Suspected Xylazine-Associated Skin Wounds Among People Using Fentanyl, Philadelphia, 2022 to 2023 DOI
Patrick J. Kelly, Amy B. Jessop,

Madison Scialanca

et al.

Substance Use &amp Addiction Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 46(2), P. 347 - 356

Published: Oct. 27, 2024

Background: The United States opioid crisis has been worsened by the emergence of fentanyl adulterated or associated with veterinary sedative xylazine. Designated White House as an “emerging threat to US” in 2023, xylazine use is severe skin wounds. Methods: This research explored beliefs, concerns, and treatment behaviors for wounds among 93 participants recruited outside a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania harm reduction agency who reported past-6-month history wound via cross-sectional survey administered August-September 2022 (group 1; n = 33). Following December Philadelphia Department Public Health Report that indicated was becoming more prevalent Philadelphian drug supply, additional data collected new from February-March 2023 2; 60) using same survey. Participants were ≥18 years old, past-year use, spoke English. Our 17-item tool measured wound-related behaviors, sources. An open-response item why self-treat Results: averaged 41 old (SD 9), slightly than half men ( 54, 58%), 31% 29) non-White, most 66, 71%) unhoused. Overall, 79% self-treated endorsed worry about limb loss 77; 83%), shame 76; 82%), appearance changes 80; 86%). Sixty (65%) waiting see severity before seeking care. Forty-one (44%) delayed care because withdrawal fears. Conclusions: People probable xylazine-associated have psychosocial concerns these Findings may be harbinger other regions internationally where increasing.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Relational anonymity in reducing the harms of illicit drug use: accounts of users of dark web- and street-based services in Finland DOI Creative Commons
Johanna Ranta, Teemu Kaskela, Juha Nurmi

et al.

Harm Reduction Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Dec. 21, 2024

Abstract Background Protecting individual anonymity is a common practice in harm reduction (HR), as it can mitigate the fears that may prevent people from accessing services. usually means applying for services with pseudonym. However, protection practices have diversified current HR environments, example, on streets or Tor network, which relies technology to guarantee exceptionally strong anonymity. Despite its importance, individual’s need when seeking help reduce drug-related has been underexplored. Methods The research contexts included four street- and dark web-based Finland. data consisted of service user interviews naturally occurring conversations network. We focused users’ accounts their applied concept relational anonymity, acknowledging wider contextual relations intertwine situational needs asked: What kinds do users express discussing harm? How account such help? To are these attached? Results identified connections between various relations: (1) excusing by referring societal blaming Finnish society stigmatising attitudes exclusionary practices; (2) system risk negative consequences recording use illicit drugs; (3) justifying personal appealing situation, feelings experiences. Conclusions reflects problematic relations, stigma towards drug strong. were motivated rational actions avoid possible sanctions perceived abuse power services, deemed lives. Societies should promote cultural atmospheres information sharing where not needed, but protect crucial conditions.

Language: Английский

Citations

0