Toots, tastes and tester shots: user accounts of drug sampling methods for gauging heroin potency

Harm Reduction Journal
Sarah G MarsDaniel Ciccarone

Abstract

Internationally, overdose is the primary cause of death among people injecting drugs. However, since 2001, heroin-related overdose deaths in the United States (US) have risen sixfold, paralleled by a rise in the death rate attributed to synthetic opioids, particularly the fentanyls. This paper considers the adaptations some US heroin injectors are making to protect themselves from these risks. Between 2015 and 2016, a team of ethnographers collected data through semi-structured interviews and observation captured in field notes and video recording of heroin preparation/consumption. Ninety-one current heroin injectors were interviewed (Baltimore, n = 22; Chicago, n = 24; Massachusetts and New Hampshire, n = 36; San Francisco, n = 9). Experience injecting heroin ranged from < 1-47 years. Eight participants, who were exclusively heroin snorters, were also interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically. Across the study sites, multiple methods of sampling "heroin" were identified, sometimes used in combination, ranging from non-injecting routes (snorting, smoking or tasting a small amount prior to injection) to injecting a partial dose and waiting. Partial injection took different forms: a "slow shot" where the user injected a portio...Continue Reading

References

Aug 21, 1987·Pharmaceutisch Weekblad. Scientific Edition·H Huizer
Oct 1, 1994·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·A J JenkinsE J Cone
Oct 1, 1993·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·E J ConeB A Goldberger
Dec 1, 1996·Substance Use & Misuse·M S JamnerR J Wolitski
Aug 7, 2001·Addiction·M Warner-SmithW Hall
Mar 27, 2002·American Journal of Epidemiology·Lorna E ThorpeRichard S Garfein
Jul 30, 2002·Addiction·Matthew Warner-SmithCarolyn Day
Nov 7, 2002·Archives of Surgery·Hobart W Harris, David M Young
Nov 26, 2002·The Journal of Infectious Diseases·Judith A HahnAndrew R Moss
Jun 7, 2003·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·Shane Darke, Wayne Hall
Jun 7, 2003·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·Peter J DavidsonAndrew R Moss
May 6, 2005·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·Karen H SealBrian R Edlin
Jun 16, 2005·Social Science & Medicine·Tim RhodesSteffanie A Strathdee
Jul 2, 2005·European Addiction Research·Cas BarendregtDike van de Mheen
Nov 4, 2005·The New England Journal of Medicine·Rachel J Gordon, Franklin D Lowy
Nov 29, 2005·Drug and Alcohol Dependence·Robin A PolliniSteffanie A Strathdee
Oct 6, 2007·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Hannah L F CooperSamuel R Friedman
Feb 27, 2008·Psychology of Addictive Behaviors : Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors·Kristina T Phillips, Harold Rosenberg
Jun 19, 2008·AIDS Education and Prevention : Official Publication of the International Society for AIDS Education·Jonny F AndíaHector M Colón
Sep 27, 2008·Lancet·Bradley M MathersUNKNOWN 2007 Reference Group to the UN on HIV and Injecting Drug Use
Oct 23, 2008·Journal of the American College of Cardiology·Anthony N DeMaria
Oct 24, 2008·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Daniel Ciccarone
Apr 14, 2009·American Journal of Public Health·Maya Doe-SimkinsPeter Moyer
Jun 10, 2009·European Addiction Research·V Anna GyarmathyCarl A Latkin
Jan 10, 2012·American Journal of Epidemiology·Jennifer L EvansKimberly Page
Nov 19, 2013·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Sarah G MarsDaniel Ciccarone
Nov 25, 2014·Addiction Research & Theory·Erin E Bonar, Harold Rosenberg
Jun 17, 2015·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Daniel Ciccarone, Magdalena Harris
Apr 14, 2016·Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiología clínica·UNKNOWN AIDS Study Group (GESIDA) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology, the National AIDS Plan
Aug 26, 2016·MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·R Matthew GladdenPuja Seth
Aug 26, 2016·MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·Alexis B PetersonBruce A Goldberger
Feb 9, 2017·American Journal of Public Health·Christopher McCall JonesWilson M Compton
Jul 25, 2017·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Daniel CiccaroneSarah G Mars
Jul 25, 2017·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Daniel Ciccarone

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 12, 2019·JAMA Neurology·Daniel Ciccarone
Jun 7, 2019·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·Ju Nyeong ParkTraci C Green
Jun 18, 2019·Substance Abuse : Official Publication of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse·Jacqueline E GoldmanBrandon D L Marshall
Oct 14, 2020·Harm Reduction Journal·Jeff OndocsinDaniel Ciccarone
Apr 29, 2021·Current Addiction Reports·Ralph FogliaNina A Cooperman
Oct 15, 2020·Addiction·Roy RobertsonMagdalena Harris
Jul 21, 2021·Substance Abuse : Official Publication of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse·Sarah IckowiczKanna Hayashi
Aug 8, 2021·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Ralph FogliaAnna Kline
May 13, 2021·American Journal of Epidemiology·Samuel TobiasLianping Ti

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

HIT

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.