Understanding the Impacts of Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks on People Who Use Drugs: A Systematic Review to Inform Practice and Drug Policy Responses to COVID-19

Alison Munro, Hazel Booth, Nicola M. Gray, Joan Love, Andrea R. M. Mohan, Jason Tang and Steve MacGillivray
Additional contact information
Alison Munro: Drug Harms Prevention Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 6HN, UK
Hazel Booth: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Nicola M. Gray: Drug Harms Prevention Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 6HN, UK
Joan Love: Drug Harms Prevention Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 6HN, UK
Andrea R. M. Mohan: Drug Harms Prevention Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 6HN, UK
Jason Tang: Drug Harms Prevention Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 6HN, UK
Steve MacGillivray: Drug Harms Prevention Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 6HN, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: People who use drugs (PWUD) experience many social and health harms and are considered at greater risk of acquiring COVID-19. Little research has examined the impact of coronaviruses either on PWUD, or on services targeted to PWUD. We report the findings of a systematic review of empirical evidence from studies which have examined the impact of coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and COVID-19) on PWUD or on service responses to them. Five databases were searched (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA and EMBASE) as well as COVID-19 specific databases. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting any impact of SARS, MERS or COVID-19 or any service responses to those, published between January 2000 and October 2020. Weight of Evidence judgements and quality assessment were undertaken. In total, 27 primary studies were included and grouped by seven main themes: treatment/recovery services; emergency medical settings; low-threshold services; prison setting, PWUD/substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis; people with SUD and HIV; ‘Sexual minority’ men. Overall, research in the area was scant, and of average/poor quality. More robust research is required to inform on-going and future responses to coronavirus epidemics for PWUD.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; SARS; MERS; people who use drugs; problem drug users; service responses; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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