Examining factors that shape use and access to diverted prescription opioids during an overdose crisis: A qualitative study in Vancouver, Canada.

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Geoff BardwellThomas Kerr

Abstract

Prescription opioid (PO) diversion is widely regarded as a driver of overdose mortality. However, less is known about the rationale for using diverted POs during an overdose epidemic and how contextual factors (e.g., poverty, drug policies) may affect this practice. Therefore, we sought to examine this phenomenon. We conducted qualitative interviews with 24 participants who accessed diverted POs in Vancouver, Canada. Participants were recruited from ongoing cohort studies of people who use drugs (PWUD). Participants preferred a variety of POs due to their known contents and lower overdose risk compared to street drugs and used them for pain relief and pleasure. Participants reported barriers in accessing POs from physicians, with some being cut off or having insufficient prescriptions. Prices for diverted POs varied and affected access among impoverished participants. These access challenges led some to acquire fentanyl. Some participants reported concerns over the contents of counterfeit pills, while others relied on trusted sources or using visual cues to identify legitimate pills. Our findings demonstrate that diverted POs are being used by PWUD with the goal of reducing opioid-related harms, although PO use comes with chall...Continue Reading

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Sep 17, 2021·BMC Public Health·Emily BiggarJane A Buxton

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