scholarly journals Helping Behavior among People Who Use Drugs: Altruism and Mutual Aid in a Harm Reduction Program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Bathje ◽  
Daniel Pillersdorf ◽  
Laura Kacere ◽  
Dan Bigg
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Helping Behavior ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Harm Reduction Program ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
Reduction Program ◽  
Shared Stories ◽  
Helping Behaviour

People who use drugs, and particularly people experiencing addiction, are rarely afforded the opportunity to have their voices heard when it comes to drug treatment or drug policy or even when attempting to define themselves and their life experiences. Of course, there is much more to a person than one area of their behaviour. The current study seeks to capture and understand the lived experiences of people who use drugs, with a focus on their relationships and helping behaviour. We interviewed 32 participants in a harm reduction program seeking to provide understanding beyond stigmatizing and criminalizing drug narratives, by exploring their motivation and context for helping behav- iours. Grounded theory methodology was used to under- stand the patterns of helping behaviour, along with the contexts in which help is or is not given. We particularly focus on participants' distribution of syringes and carrying medicine to reverse overdose (naloxone). Participants shared stories of altruism and mutual aid, along with barriers and disincentives to helping others. We situate these behaviours within contrasting environments of a free harm reduction program and the competitive market system of the U.S. society. Implications for practice and public pol- icy are discussed.

scholarly journals Naloxone Buyers Club: Overlooked Critical Public Health Infrastructure for Preventing Overdose Deaths

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Doe-Simkins ◽  
Eliza Jane Wheeler ◽  
Mary C. Figgatt ◽  
T. Stephen Jones ◽  
Alice Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Overdose Prevention ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
Compliance Officers ◽  
Critical Public Health ◽  
Overdose Deaths

Background Community-based naloxone distribution is an evidence-based pillar of overdose prevention. Since 2012, the naloxone Buyers Club facilitated purchase of low-cost naloxone by harm reduction and syringe service programs, the primary conduits for reaching people who use drugs. This innovative purchasing and mutual aid network has not been previously described. Methods We analyzed transactional records of naloxone orders (2017-2020, n=965), a survey of current Buyers Club members (2020, n=104), and mutual aid requests (2021, n=86). Results Between 2017 and 2020, annual orders for naloxone increased 2.6-fold. 114 unique harm reduction programs from 40 states placed orders for 3,714,110 vials of 0.4 mg/mL generic naloxone through the Buyers Club. States with most orders were: Arizona (600,000 vials), Illinois (576,800), Minnesota (347,450), California (317,200), North Carolina (315,040). Among programs that ordered naloxone in 2020, 52% (n=32) received no federal funding and ordered half as much as funded programs. During the 2021 shortage, mutual aid redistribution was common, with 80% participating as either a donor or recipient. Among 59 mutual aid requestors, 59% (n=35) were willing to accept expired naloxone; the clear preference was for generic injectable naloxone, 95% (n=56). Conclusions The naloxone Buyers Club is a critical element of overdose prevention infrastructure. Yet, barriers from corporate compliance officers and federal prescription-only status impede access. These barriers can be reduced by FDA removing the prescription requirement for naloxone and government funding for harm reduction programs.

scholarly journals HaRePo (Harm Reduction by Post): An innovative and effective harm reduction program for people who use drugs using email, telephone and post-service.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magally Torres Leguizamon ◽  
Emmanuel G. Reynaud ◽  
Thomas Néfau ◽  
Catherine Duplessy
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Postal Service ◽  
Harm Reduction Program ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Overseas Territories

Abstract Background: Despite multiple Harm Reduction (HR) programs worldwide, there are still an important number of people who use drugs (PWUD) who do not access those services. Their difficulties to obtain HR tools are due to their inability to reach such services (remoteness and/or limited customer service hours), costs, quantitative restrictions, fear of judgment, lack of confidentiality in pharmacy and unfamiliarity with HR programs. We tested an innovative approach using the power of remote online communication and the national postal distribution network to improve HR tools access and counselling. Methods: Based on these observations, SAFE association created HaRePo in 2011, a free and confidential program designed for people who have difficulties accessing HR tools and counselling. PWUD can access the program by phone and/or email. An HR professional delivers HR counselling, HR tools and connects PWUD to other HR services, medical, and social workers. HR tools are prepared and sent according to the person’s needs through the French postal service to consumers across Metropolitan France and overseas territories. Results: Since 2011, 1920 PWUD have benefited from HaRePo: 10,450 parcels were sent accounting for more than 1.7 million syringes and 6 million HR related items. HaRePo receives positive feedback from PWUD who have improved their practices through remote but trusted communication. The percentage of people that, after joining the program, never reuse and/or share HR tools have significantly increased. On average 71.5% of beneficiaries never reuse syringes and 81% do not reuse needles. And they are 98.5% consumers who never share syringes and 99% needles any longer. Between 44% and 80% HaRePo beneficiaries have reported that their drug-related practices (injection, inhalation and snorting) are now safer. Finally, between 39% and 53% HaRePo consumers declared that their overall physical state has improved (e.g., venous condition, the appearance of point of injection, swelling of arms, legs, and hands). Conclusion: HaRePo is an innovative HR program efficient for hard-to-reach PWUD. It shows evidence of a positive feedback loop for PWUD in improving their practices. Finally, HaRePo represents a clear benefit for health authorities in France, who decided to expand the program in 2016.

Lower Injection–Related HIV–1 Risk Associated With Participation in a Harm Reduction Program in Kazan, Russia

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Badrieva ◽  
Eugeny Karchevsky ◽  
Kevin S. Irwin ◽  
Robert Heimer
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Harm Reduction Program ◽  
Reduction Program ◽  
Hiv 1

scholarly journals Harm reduction program and hepatitis C prevalence in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran: an updated systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdolhalim Rajabi ◽  
Heidar Sharafi ◽  
Seyed Moayed Alavian
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Harm Reduction Program ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Reduction Program ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Background Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran is high. Since 2005, the Iranian government has implemented a harm reduction program to control HCV. We aimed to describe the prevalence of HCV antibody (Ab) in Iranian PWID before and after the implementation of harm reduction with cumulative meta-analysis. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published on the seroprevalence of HCV among PWID. We systematically reviewed the literature to identify eligible studies up to December 2018 in international and national databases. Pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Der Simonian and Laird method, taking into account conceptual heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were performed by harm reduction implementation and studies’ characteristics to assess the sources of heterogeneity. We used Cochran–Armitage test for the linear trend of the prevalence of HCV Ab among PWID. Results We reviewed 5966 papers and reports and extracted data from 62 eligible records. The pooled HCV Ab prevalence among PWID in Iran was 46.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 41.1–52.0%). Overall, the Cochran–Armitage test for trend indicated a significant decreasing trend of HCV Ab prevalence (P = 0.04). The cumulative meta-analysis showed a slight decline in the prevalence of HCV Ab between the years 2005 and 2018. Conclusions The HCV Ab prevalence among PWID in Iran is high, with a considerable geographical variation. The prevalence of HCV Ab among PWID in Iran slightly decreased after 2005 which could be, at least to some extent, related to the implementation of extensive harm reduction programs in the country.

Possibilities of implementing harm reduction program for smokers. Current status and recommendations

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Bartosz Łoza ◽  
Karina Jahnz-Różyk ◽  
Dorota Karkowska ◽  
Wojciech Kozubski ◽  
Artur Mamcarz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Harm Reduction Program ◽  
Reduction Program

Harm reduction programs the opportunity for psychiatric and substance use treatment

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 79-79
Author(s):  
N. Martínez-Luna
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Substance Use Treatment ◽  
Harm Reduction Program ◽  
Reduction Program ◽  
Methadone Maintenance Program ◽  
Drug Problems ◽  
Outpatient Drug

IntroductionAt least one-half of patients in substance use treatment have been diagnosed with comorbid psychiatric disorders. High prevalence of severe mental disorders co-occurring with substance use have been described. Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce the harms associated with the use of illegal drugs in people unable or unwilling to stop.ObjectivesTo describe attendance and integration of patients with substance use disorders in a harm reduction program, to psychiatric treatment.AimsFind the importance and profitability of Harm Reduction Programs as an access door to psychiatric treatment in people with drug addiction.MethodsData was gathered from the first interview survey made to patients that contacted the Harm Reduction Program or attending the Outpatient Drug Clinic Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona between January 2005 until September 2010.ResultsA total of 348 patients (males = 71%, European community origin = 92%, mean age = 28,18 years). 63,8% of patients were under medical and psychiatric treatments, 55,4% attended the Methadone Maintenance Program, 7,4% other psychiatric treatments, and other treatments without specification 30,7%. The residential status was: 38% squatters, homeless 9,7%, hostel 3,4%, home 43%, lodging 2%, others 3%.ConclusionsMore than fifty percent of harm reduction program patient's were in a psychiatric treatment, it is an advantage that in the outpatient drug clinic of Vall d’Hebron both programs are included: harm reduction and psychiatric assessment. Access to integral treatment is important for people with drug problems, but many people with drug problems are unable or unwilling to get treatments.

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