Author:
Applewhite Dinah,Regan Susan,Mackin Sarah,Schmidt Clare,Duffy Jim,Washington Kenneth,Micklos Nathaneal,Casey Sarah,Sawyer Samantha,Kehoe Laura,Howard Sydney,Yacorps Giovanie,Wakeman Sarah E.
Abstract
Objectives
Smoking stimulants, such as methamphetamine and “crack” cocaine, can spread infections, including hepatitis C and COVID-19, and lead to injuries, particularly when individuals share or use makeshift pipes. The purpose of the study was to assess the practices of people who inhale (“smoke”) stimulants to guide future clinical harm reduction efforts.
Methods
Anonymous surveys were administered to participants reporting inhalation of crack cocaine and/or methamphetamine in the past 3 months. Participants were eligible if they sought services from an outreach team staffed by a municipal syringe service program (SSP) or if they were patients at a low-threshold substance use disorder treatment program, the Massachusetts General Hospital Bridge Clinic.
Results
The survey was administered to 68 total participants, 30% of whom were recruited in the Massachusetts General Hospital Bridge Clinic and 70% through SSP outreach. Unsafe smoking practices were reported by 93% of participants. Among the 46% of participants surveyed who both smoked and injected stimulants, 61% of those participants stated that they injected instead of smoked stimulants because of lack of access to pipes. Amid COVID-19, 35% of participants adopted safer smoking practices. Most participants reported that they would be more likely to attend an SSP or health center if pipes were provided.
Conclusions
Inhalational practices that place participants at risk of injury and illness are common. Providing safer smoking equipment may promote health and engage individuals in care.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Psychiatry and Mental health
Cited by
1 articles.
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