Substance Use Stigma and Community Drug Checking: A Qualitative Study Examining Barriers and Possible Responses

Original research
par
Davis, Samantha et al

Date de publication

2022

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

Community drug checking is an emerging response to the overdose crisis. However, stigma has been identified as a potential barrier to service use that requires investigation.

Constatations/points à retenir

Criminalization and societal views on substance use can deter service use. Strategies to mitigate stigma include employment of people with lived and living experience from diverse backgrounds; public yet private locations that preserve anonymity; and normalization of drug checking while decriminalization could address the root causes of stigma.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

 A qualitative study explored how best to implement drug checking services to the wider population including those at risk of overdose. A secondary analysis of 26 interviews with potential service users examine how stigma may be a barrier to service use and strategies to address this.

Mots clés

Stigma
Illegal drugs
Drug checking
Barriers and enablers