Substance Use Stigma and Community Drug Checking: A Qualitative Study Examining Barriers and Possible Responses
Date
2022
Authors
Davis, Samantha
Wallace, Bruce
Van Roode, Thea
Hore, Dennis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
Background: Community drug checking is an emerging response to the overdose crisis. However, stigma has been identified as a potential barrier to service use that requires investigation. Methods: A qualitative study explored how best to implement drug checking services to the wider population including those at risk of overdose. A secondary analysis of 26 interviews with potential service users examine how stigma may be a barrier to service use and strategies to address this. A Substance Use Stigma Framework was developed to guide analysis. Results: Drug checking is operating in a context of structural stigma produced by criminalization. People fear criminal repercussions, anticipate stigma when accessing services, and internalize stigma resulting in shame and avoidance of services. A perceived hierarchy of substance use creates stigma results in stigma between service users and avoidance of sites associated with certain drugs. Participants frequently recommended drug checking to be located in more public spaces that still maintain privacy. Conclusions: Criminalization and societal views on substance use can deter service use. Strategies to mitigate stigma include employment of people with lived and living experience from diverse backgrounds; public yet private locations that preserve anonymity; and normalization of drug checking while decriminalization could address the root causes of stigma.
Description
Keywords
substance abuse stigma, drug checking, substance abuse, harm reduction, overdose, fentanyl, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)
Citation
Davis, S. I., Wallace, B., Van Roode, T., & Hore, D. K. (2022). Substance Use Stigma and Community Drug Checking: A qualitative study examining barriers and possible responses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15978. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315978