Fentanyl self-testing outside supervised injection settings to prevent opioid overdose: Do we know enough to promote it?

Since 2013, North America has experienced a sharp increase in unintentional fatal overdoses: fentanyl, and its analogues, are believed to be primarily responsible. Currently, the most practical means for people who use drugs (PWUD) to avoid or mitigate risk of fentanyl-related overdose is to use drugs in the presence of someone who is in possession of, and experienced using, naloxone. Self-test strips which detect fentanyl, and some of its analogues, have been developed for off-label use allowing PWUD to test their drugs prior to consumption. We review the evidence on the off-label sensitivity and specificity of fentanyl test strips, and query whether the accuracy of fentanyl test strips might be mediated according to situated practices of use. We draw attention to the weak research evidence informing the use of fentanyl self-testing strips

Methamphetamine Use in Dayton, Ohio: Preliminary Findings from the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network

Since the 1990s, methamphetamine manufacturing and use have been spreading into midwestern and southern United States. However, most research on methamphetamine use has been conducted in the western United States. This exploratory study is based on qualitative interviews with 26 people recruited in Dayton, Ohio, for the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network, a statewide epidemiological surveillance system. Participants ranged in age from 21 to 57 years. The majority were White and male. The participants reported increases in methamphetamine availability and identified powder-type locally manufactured methamphetamine as the most commonly seen form of the drug. The participants reported extensive drug use histories, and were introduced to methamphetamine in the context of their involvement with pharmaceutical stimulants, crack, powder cocaine, and/or club drug scene. A large proportion of the participants continued to use crack or powder cocaine in addition to methamphetamine. Many primary methamphetamine users felt they were able to moderate methamphetamine use and fulfill their daily responsibilities related to work and family life. Ranking results and consensus analysis revealed that participants shared high agreement about drug-related risks, and perceived methamphetamine as a serious drug, although not as risky as heroin, crack or OxyContin®. Implications for treatment and prevention are discussed

Methamphetamine Use in Dayton, Ohio: Preliminary Findings from the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network

Since the 1990s, methamphetamine manufacturing and use have been spreading into midwestern and southern United States. However, most research on methamphetamine use has been conducted in the western United States. This exploratory study is based on qualitative interviews with 26 people recruited in Dayton, Ohio, for the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network, a statewide epidemiological surveillance system. Participants ranged in age from 21 to 57 years. The majority were White and male. The participants reported increases in methamphetamine availability and identified powder-type locally manufactured methamphetamine as the most commonly seen form of the drug. The participants reported extensive drug use histories, and were introduced to methamphetamine in the context of their involvement with pharmaceutical stimulants, crack, powder cocaine, and/or club drug scene. A large proportion of the participants continued to use crack or powder cocaine in addition to methamphetamine. Many primary methamphetamine users felt they were able to moderate methamphetamine use and fulfill their daily responsibilities related to work and family life. Ranking results and consensus analysis revealed that participants shared high agreement about drug-related risks, and perceived methamphetamine as a serious drug, although not as risky as heroin, crack or OxyContin®. Implications for treatment and prevention are discussed

Initiation to Pharmaceutical Opioids and Patterns of Misuse: Preliminary Qualitative Findings Obtained by the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network

Pharmaceutical opioid misuse has been recognized as a growing public health problem across the nation. To develop appropriate treatment and prevention programs, the population of pharmaceutical opioid abusers has to be well understood. This exploratory study is based on qualitative interviews with 24 people in the Dayton/Columbus, Ohio, area. Interviews were conducted for the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network, a statewide epidemiological surveillance system. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 48 years; the majority was White and male. To explain initiation and continued use of pharmaceutical opioids, participants discussed a number of different reasons, including self-medication of emotional and physical pain, legitimate medical prescriptions related to chronic pain management, social influences, recreation, and easy access to pharmaceutical opioids. On the basis of participant age and lifetime experiences with pharmaceutical opioid and other drug misuse, six user groups were identified that faced unique risks and prevention/treatment challenges. Research implications are discussed

Initiation to Pharmaceutical Opioids and Patterns of Misuse: Preliminary Qualitative Findings Obtained by the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network

Pharmaceutical opioid misuse has been recognized as a growing public health problem across the nation. To develop appropriate treatment and prevention programs, the population of pharmaceutical opioid abusers has to be well understood. This exploratory study is based on qualitative interviews with 24 people in the Dayton/Columbus, Ohio, area. Interviews were conducted for the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network, a statewide epidemiological surveillance system. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 48 years; the majority was White and male. To explain initiation and continued use of pharmaceutical opioids, participants discussed a number of different reasons, including self-medication of emotional and physical pain, legitimate medical prescriptions related to chronic pain management, social influences, recreation, and easy access to pharmaceutical opioids. On the basis of participant age and lifetime experiences with pharmaceutical opioid and other drug misuse, six user groups were identified that faced unique risks and prevention/treatment challenges. Research implications are discussed