Cayley Russell1, Farihah Ali2, Frishta Nafeh3, Jürgen Rehm4, Sean LeBlanc5, Tara Elton-Marshall6. 1. Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: cayley.russell@camh.ca. 2. Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: farihah.ontcrism@gmail.com. 3. Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: frishta.nafeh@camh.ca. 4. Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Institute of Medical Science (IMS), University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany; Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bol'shaya Pirogovskaya Ulitsa, 19с1, Moscow 119146, Russia. Electronic address: jtrehm@gmail.com. 5. Drug Users Advocacy League, 216 Murray St, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5S6, Canada; Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Canada. Electronic address: seanleblanc.dual.ca@gmail.com. 6. Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario M6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada. Electronic address: tara.eltonmarshall@camh.ca.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Closures and reductions in capacity of select health and social services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may have placed people who use drugs (PWUD) at a disproportionately increased risk for experiencing harms, and resulted in critical treatment disruptions. We conducted the current national study among a cohort of PWUD to understand how COVID-19 has affected service access, including any significant impacts PWUD may have experienced. Results will contribute to the evidence base for informing future pandemic and public health policy planning for vulnerable populations. METHODS: The project involved qualitative telephone-based interviews with 196 adult (aged 18+) PWUD from across Canada. Eligibility criteria included daily or weekly use of psychoactive substance(s), and/or current enrollment in opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Data collection took place between May and July 2020. Data underwent thematic analyses, and common themes informed the results. RESULTS: Most participants experienced detrimental service access issues and treatment disruptions during COVID-19, including reduced access to harm reduction services, OAT, withdrawal management and treatment services, medical professionals (e.g., addictions and mental health counseling), shelters/housing, and food banks. Positive impacts included greater access to OAT take-home 'carries' and prescription deliveries. Decreases in service capacity resulted in increased health issues and risky substance use behaviors among PWUD, such as unaccompanied substance use, sharing/re-use of supplies, and overdose events. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in the accessibility of critical services PWUD rely on during COVID-19 has increased existent substance use and health issues among PWUD, while decreasing their ability to mitigate risks related to substance use. Thus, the expansion of the depth and breadth of support options is crucial. Services must remain open and flexible to the unique needs of PWUD during COVID-19, while novel and effective adaptations and interventions should remain available and accessible post-COVID-19.
INTRODUCTION: Closures and reductions in capacity of select health and social services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may have placed people who use drugs (PWUD) at a disproportionately increased risk for experiencing harms, and resulted in critical treatment disruptions. We conducted the current national study among a cohort of PWUD to understand how COVID-19 has affected service access, including any significant impacts PWUD may have experienced. Results will contribute to the evidence base for informing future pandemic and public health policy planning for vulnerable populations. METHODS: The project involved qualitative telephone-based interviews with 196 adult (aged 18+) PWUD from across Canada. Eligibility criteria included daily or weekly use of psychoactive substance(s), and/or current enrollment in opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Data collection took place between May and July 2020. Data underwent thematic analyses, and common themes informed the results. RESULTS: Most participants experienced detrimental service access issues and treatment disruptions during COVID-19, including reduced access to harm reduction services, OAT, withdrawal management and treatment services, medical professionals (e.g., addictions and mental health counseling), shelters/housing, and food banks. Positive impacts included greater access to OAT take-home 'carries' and prescription deliveries. Decreases in service capacity resulted in increased health issues and risky substance use behaviors among PWUD, such as unaccompanied substance use, sharing/re-use of supplies, and overdose events. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in the accessibility of critical services PWUD rely on during COVID-19 has increased existent substance use and health issues among PWUD, while decreasing their ability to mitigate risks related to substance use. Thus, the expansion of the depth and breadth of support options is crucial. Services must remain open and flexible to the unique needs of PWUD during COVID-19, while novel and effective adaptations and interventions should remain available and accessible post-COVID-19.
Authors: Sachini Bandara; Hannah Maniates; Eric Hulsey; Jennifer S Smith; Ellen DiDomenico; Elizabeth A Stuart; Brendan Saloner; Noa Krawczyk Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2022-03-30 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Dennis P Watson; Monte D Staton; Christine E Grella; Christy K Scott; Michael L Dennis Journal: Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy Date: 2022-03-18
Authors: Lexis R Galarneau; Jesse Hilburt; Zoe R O'Neill; Jane A Buxton; Frank X Scheuermeyer; Kathryn Dong; Janusz Kaczorowski; Aaron M Orkin; Skye Pamela Barbic; Misty Bath; Jessica Moe; Isabelle Miles; Dianne Tobin; Sherry Grier; Emma Garrod; Andrew Kestler Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-07-29 Impact factor: 3.240