Early experiences and impacts of a fentanyl powder safer supply program in Vancouver, Canada: a qualitative study.

IF 2.7 3区 医学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL
Andrew Ivsins, Christy Sutherland, Thomas Kerr, Mary Clare Kennedy
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: North America is experiencing an unrelenting overdose crisis driven by a volatile and toxic unregulated drug supply. Safer supply programs, which provide individuals with pharmaceutical-grade alternatives to the unregulated drug supply, have been implemented in various Canadian jurisdictions. While most programs provide tablet hydromorphone, the Safer Alternatives for Emergency Response (SAFER) program in Vancouver, Canada, offers pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl, including a powder formulation for witnessed consumption.Objectives: To explore early experiences among SAFER program participants receiving powder fentanyl.Methods: Qualitative one-on-one interviews were conducted with 18 (12 men, 6 women) people prescribed fentanyl powder from the SAFER program. Interview coding and analysis involved a team-based approach to identify common themes related to program experiences, focusing on impacts on unregulated drug use.Results: Most (13/18; 72%) participants reported reducing unregulated drug use since program enrollment. This was largely attributed to the SAFER fentanyl powder being effective for managing withdrawal, thereby limiting their need to access street-purchased drugs. Additionally, some participants, particularly those prescribed higher doses, suggested that SAFER fentanyl powder, unlike other safe supply medications, was a suitable alternative to street-purchased fentanyl. Participants also reported reduced overdose risk. Operating hours and dosing challenges were barriers to program engagement contributing to continued unregulated drug use for some.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate a number of positive outcomes of the SAFER program and suggest that fentanyl safer supply has the potential to play a useful role in addressing the ongoing overdose crisis.

加拿大温哥华芬太尼粉末安全供应计划的早期经验和影响:一项定性研究。
背景:由于不稳定和有毒的不受管制的药物供应,北美正在经历一场持续不断的过量危机。更安全的供应计划,为个人提供药品级替代不受管制的药物供应,已在加拿大各司法管辖区实施。虽然大多数项目提供片剂氢吗啡酮,但加拿大温哥华的应急反应安全替代方案(Safer)提供制药级芬太尼,包括供目击消费的粉末配方。目的:探讨接受粉末芬太尼的SAFER项目参与者的早期经历。方法:对在SAFER项目中使用芬太尼粉末的18人(男性12人,女性6人)进行定性一对一访谈。访谈编码和分析涉及以团队为基础的方法,以确定与项目经验相关的共同主题,重点关注对无管制药物使用的影响。结果:大多数(13/18;72%的参与者报告说,自参加项目以来,无管制药物的使用减少了。这在很大程度上归因于更安全的芬太尼粉末对戒断反应有效,从而限制了他们获得街头购买药物的需要。此外,一些参与者,特别是那些处方剂量较高的参与者认为,与其他安全供应药物不同,更安全的芬太尼粉末是街头购买的芬太尼的合适替代品。参与者还报告说,服药过量的风险降低了。营业时间和给药挑战是项目参与的障碍,导致一些人继续不受管制地使用药物。结论:我们的研究结果证明了SAFER计划的一些积极成果,并表明芬太尼更安全的供应在解决持续的过量危机方面有可能发挥有用的作用。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.70
自引率
3.70%
发文量
68
期刊介绍: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse (AJDAA) is an international journal published six times per year and provides an important and stimulating venue for the exchange of ideas between the researchers working in diverse areas, including public policy, epidemiology, neurobiology, and the treatment of addictive disorders. AJDAA includes a wide range of translational research, covering preclinical and clinical aspects of the field. AJDAA covers these topics with focused data presentations and authoritative reviews of timely developments in our field. Manuscripts exploring addictions other than substance use disorders are encouraged. Reviews and Perspectives of emerging fields are given priority consideration. Areas of particular interest include: public health policy; novel research methodologies; human and animal pharmacology; human translational studies, including neuroimaging; pharmacological and behavioral treatments; new modalities of care; molecular and family genetic studies; medicinal use of substances traditionally considered substances of abuse.
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