Substance Use Stigma and Community Drug Checking: A Qualitative Study Examining Barriers and Possible Responses

Samantha Davis, Bruce Wallace (), Thea Van Roode and Dennis Hore
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Samantha Davis: Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
Bruce Wallace: Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
Thea Van Roode: Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
Dennis Hore: Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-14

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.

Keywords: substance use stigma; drug checking; substance use; harm reduction; overdose; fentanyl (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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