Isabella Benfer1, Renee Zahnow2, Monica J Barratt3, Larissa Maier4, Adam Winstock5, Jason Ferris6. 1. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4068, Australia. Electronic address: isabella.benfer@uqconnect.edu.au. 2. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4068, Australia. Electronic address: r.zahnow@uq.edu.au. 3. Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia; Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. Electronic address: m.barratt@unsw.edu.au. 4. University of Zurich, University of Zurich Rämistrasse 71, Zurich, CH-8006, Switzerland. Electronic address: larissa.maier@isgf.uzh.ch. 5. Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK; Global Drug Survey Ltd, Global Drug Survey Fergusson House, 124/128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NJ, UK. Electronic address: adam@globaldrugsurvey.com. 6. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4068, Australia. Electronic address: j.ferris@uq.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While the impact of changing drug policies on rates of drug use has been investigated, research into how help-seeking behaviour changes as drug policies become more public-health focused is limited. This paper investigates reported changes in confidence to utilise drug services following hypothetical changes in national drug policy among a sample of individuals who report recent illicit drug use. We predict that liberalising national drug policy will increase the propensity for people who take illegal drugs to utilise health services. METHODS: The data were drawn from a sample of self-reported responses to the 2014 Global Drug Survey. Respondents were asked if they would be more confident seeking help if each of the following policy changes were made in their country; a) drugs were legalised; b) penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs were reduced to a fine only; c) drugs were legally available through governments outlets. Multiple correspondence analysis and multinomial logistic regression with post-estimation linear hypothesis testing were conducted. RESULTS: Individuals residing in countries with relatively liberal drug policy regimes report their help-seeking behaviour is unlikely to change given the hypothetical policy amendments. Individuals from countries with prohibition-based drug policies reported a far greater propensity for changing their help-seeking behaviour in the event of hypothetical policy amendments, citing reduced fear of criminal sanctions as the major reason. Age and sex differences were also found. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates the capacity for national drug policy reform to influence drug use risk by facilitating or impeding health service engagement among individuals who use illicit substances. We suggest national drug policy requires careful consideration of both prevention goals and the needs of individuals already engaged in illicit substance use; more liberal drug policies may actually encourage the adoption of harm reduction strategies such as health service engagement.
BACKGROUND: While the impact of changing drug policies on rates of drug use has been investigated, research into how help-seeking behaviour changes as drug policies become more public-health focused is limited. This paper investigates reported changes in confidence to utilise drug services following hypothetical changes in national drug policy among a sample of individuals who report recent illicit drug use. We predict that liberalising national drug policy will increase the propensity for people who take illegal drugs to utilise health services. METHODS: The data were drawn from a sample of self-reported responses to the 2014 Global Drug Survey. Respondents were asked if they would be more confident seeking help if each of the following policy changes were made in their country; a) drugs were legalised; b) penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs were reduced to a fine only; c) drugs were legally available through governments outlets. Multiple correspondence analysis and multinomial logistic regression with post-estimation linear hypothesis testing were conducted. RESULTS: Individuals residing in countries with relatively liberal drug policy regimes report their help-seeking behaviour is unlikely to change given the hypothetical policy amendments. Individuals from countries with prohibition-based drug policies reported a far greater propensity for changing their help-seeking behaviour in the event of hypothetical policy amendments, citing reduced fear of criminal sanctions as the major reason. Age and sex differences were also found. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates the capacity for national drug policy reform to influence drug use risk by facilitating or impeding health service engagement among individuals who use illicit substances. We suggest national drug policy requires careful consideration of both prevention goals and the needs of individuals already engaged in illicit substance use; more liberal drug policies may actually encourage the adoption of harm reduction strategies such as health service engagement.
Authors: Julia Dickson-Gomez; Sarah Krechel; Dan Katende; Bryan Johnston; Wamala Twaibu; Laura Glasman; Moses Ogwal; Geofrey Musinguzi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-20 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Robert Page; Amy Healey; Krista J Siefried; Mary Ellen Harrod; Erica Franklin; Amy Peacock; Monica J Barratt; Jonathan Brett Journal: Drug Alcohol Rev Date: 2022-05-23