Bruce Wallace1,2, Mary Clare Kennedy3,4, Thomas Kerr3,5, Bernie Pauly1,6. 1. a Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia , University of Victoria , Victoria , BC , V8W 2Y2 , Canada. 2. b University of Victoria School of Social Work , Victoria , BC , V8W 2Y2 , Canada. 3. c British Columbia Centre on Substance Use , St. Paul's Hospital , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada. 4. d School of Population and Public Health , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada. 5. e Department of Medicine , University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada. 6. f Island Health Scholar in Residence and University of Victoria School of Nursing , Victoria , British Columbia , Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2016, in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Provincial Health Officer declared drug-related overdose deaths a public health emergency. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examine factors associated with recent non-fatal overdose during a time of unprecedented rates of overdose and increasing involvement of fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives in overdose deaths. METHODS: Between June and September 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with recent non-fatal overdose. RESULTS: A total of 187 PWID were included in the present study, of whom 56 (29.9%) reported having overdosed in the previous 6 months. In multivariable analyses, fentanyl injection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: (1.08 - 6.27) and public injection (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.09 - 4.43) were positively associated with recent non-fatal overdose. CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl injection and public injection were associated with an increased likelihood of non-fatal overdose. These findings underscore the need for drug checking, safer sources of opioids and safer injecting interventions as part of overdose prevention strategies.
BACKGROUND: In 2016, in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Provincial Health Officer declared drug-related overdose deaths a public health emergency. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examine factors associated with recent non-fatal overdose during a time of unprecedented rates of overdose and increasing involvement of fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives in overdose deaths. METHODS: Between June and September 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with recent non-fatal overdose. RESULTS: A total of 187 PWID were included in the present study, of whom 56 (29.9%) reported having overdosed in the previous 6 months. In multivariable analyses, fentanyl injection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: (1.08 - 6.27) and public injection (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.09 - 4.43) were positively associated with recent non-fatal overdose. CONCLUSIONS:Fentanyl injection and public injection were associated with an increased likelihood of non-fatal overdose. These findings underscore the need for drug checking, safer sources of opioids and safer injecting interventions as part of overdose prevention strategies.
Entities:
Keywords:
Fentanyl; illicit drugs; injection drug users; nonfatal overdose
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