Original research
by
Weisenthal, Karrin et al
Release Date
2022
Geography
USA
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Yes
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
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.
Findings/Key points
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.
Design/methods
Retrospective cohort -- visits during the 6 weeks prior, 2 weeks during, and 4 weeks after OCS.
Keywords
Legal system/law enforcement
Transitions in care/treatment
About PWUD
Barriers and enablers
