@article{ref1,
title="Association between non-fatal opioid overdose and encounters with healthcare and criminal justice systems: identifying opportunities for intervention",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2015",
author="Wagner, Karla D. and Liu, Lin and Davidson, Peter J. and Cuevas-Mota, Jazmine and Armenta, Richard F. and Garfein, Richard S.",
volume="153",
number="",
pages="215-220",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Accidental overdose, driven largely by opioids, is a leading cause of death among people who inject drugs (PWIDs). We conducted secondary analysis of data from a cohort of PWIDs to identify venues where high-risk PWID could be targeted by overdose education/naloxone distribution (OEND) programs. <br><br>METHODS: 573 PWIDs completed a quantitative survey between June, 2012 and January, 2014, which was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The dependent variable was a dichotomous indicator of experiencing a heroin/opioid-related overdose in the past six months. Independent variables included: demographics, drug use behavior, and encounters with two venues - the health care and criminal justice systems - that could serve as potential venues for OEND programs. <br><br>RESULTS: Almost half (41.5%) reported ever experiencing a heroin/opioid overdose, and 45 (7.9%) reported experiencing at least one heroin/opioid overdose in the past six months. In the final multivariable model, receiving care in a hospital in the past six months (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AdjOR] 4.08, 95% Confidence Interval [C.I.] 2.07, 8.04, p<0.001) and being arrested for drug possession in the past six months (AdjOR 5.17, 95% C.I. 2.37, 11.24, p<0.001) were associated with experiencing an opioid overdose in the past six months. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Identifying venues outside of those that traditionally target services to PWIDs (i.e., syringe exchange programs) will be critical to implementing OEND interventions at a scale sufficient to address the growing epidemic of heroin/opioid related deaths. Clinical settings, such as hospitals, and drug-related encounters with law enforcement officers are promising venues for the expansion of OEND programs.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.026",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.026"
}