'Diversion’ of methadone or buprenorphine: 'harm’ versus 'helping’

Original research
by
Haynes, Ingrid Amalia, Thomas Clausen & Anne-Lise Middelthon

Release Date

2013

Geography

Norway

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This article explores reported practices of, and motivations for, diversion of methadone and buprenorphine, in a group of imprisoned individuals in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT).

Findings/Key points

Their acquired norm of sharing with others in a drug using community was maintained when entering OMT. Giving one’s prescription opioids to an individual in withdrawal was indeed seen as an act of helping, something that takes on particular significance for couples in which only one partner is included in OMT and the other is using illicit heroin. As we see it, the need to sustain oneself as a decent person in one’s own eyes and those of others through practices such as sharing and helping should be recognized.

Design/methods

28 interviews of 12 participants

Keywords

Diversion
About PWUD
Legal system/law enforcement
Policy/Regulatory