Effect of police action on low-barrier substance use disorder service utilization

Original research
par
Weisenthal, Karrin et al

Date de publication

2022

Géographie

USA

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

Increased police presence may increase or decrease treatment-seeking behavior. We examined the association between Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), a 2-week police action in Boston, MA, and visit volume in BMC’s low-barrier buprenorphine bridge clinic.

Constatations/points à retenir

The increased policing during OCS was associated with a significant decrease in bridge clinic visits. Following the completion of OCS, there was a significant increase in clinic visits, suggesting pent-up demand for medications for opioid use disorder, a life-saving treatment.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Retrospective cohort -- visits during the 6 weeks prior, 2 weeks during, and 4 weeks after OCS.

Mots clés

Legal system/law enforcement
Transitions in care/treatment
About PWUD
Barriers and enablers