Department of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 603 East Daniel St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
Harm Reduct J. 2024 Jun 19;21(1):119. doi: 10.1186/s12954-024-01038-2.
The current fourth wave of the United States opioid overdose epidemic is characterized by the co-use of opioids and stimulants, including illicit opioids and methamphetamine. The co-use of these two drugs, known as "goofballing," is associated with higher risk for several adverse outcomes, including more frequent injections, greater health risks, and higher morbidity. Considering these differences, this unique subpopulation of people who inject drugs (PWID) may also have unique unmet needs and harm reduction preferences.
We collected self-reported data from participants (N = 50) of a syringe services program (SSP), including basic needs and harm reduction preferences. Using bivariate analyses, we examined differences between SSP participants who do and do not co-use illicit opioids and methamphetamine. Co-use was defined as reporting the use of both drugs, which may or may not have been used simultaneously.
In the overall sample, the mean level of need was highest for bus passes or other transportation, a person who can help you get the services you need, medication for opioid use disorder, and a job or job training. Additionally, all participants reported being either interested or very interested in fentanyl test strips, safe consumption sites, delivery of syringe service supplies, and delivery of naloxone. Those who endorsed co-use had a greater need for food, healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, a support person to help them access needed services, and bus passes or transportation.
Unmet needs were prevalent, and the desire for more harm reduction services was high among these PWID. Results also suggest people who co-use illicit opioids and methamphetamine may have the greatest unmet needs and desire for additional harm reduction services.
目前美国阿片类药物过量流行的第四波以阿片类药物和兴奋剂（包括非法阿片类药物和冰毒）的共同使用为特征。这两种药物的共同使用，被称为“goofballing”，与几种不良后果的风险增加有关，包括更频繁的注射、更大的健康风险和更高的发病率。考虑到这些差异，这种独特的注射吸毒者（PWID）亚群可能也有独特的未满足需求和减少伤害的偏好。
我们从一个注射器服务项目（SSP）的参与者（N=50）中收集了自我报告的数据，包括基本需求和减少伤害的偏好。使用双变量分析，我们检查了 SSP 参与者中同时使用非法阿片类药物和冰毒与不使用的参与者之间的差异。共同使用的定义是报告同时使用这两种药物，也可能不是同时使用。
在整个样本中，对公共汽车票或其他交通工具、可以帮助你获得所需服务的人、治疗阿片类药物使用障碍的药物以及工作或工作培训的需求程度最高。此外，所有参与者都报告对芬太尼检测条、安全消费场所、注射器服务用品的配送以及纳洛酮的配送感兴趣或非常感兴趣。那些同时使用这两种药物的人对食物、医疗保健、药物滥用障碍治疗、帮助他们获得所需服务的支持人员以及公共汽车票或交通工具的需求更大。
未满足的需求普遍存在，这些注射吸毒者对更多减少伤害服务的需求很高。结果还表明，同时使用非法阿片类药物和冰毒的人可能有最大的未满足需求和对额外减少伤害服务的需求。
