Adams L Sibley, Emma Klein, Hannah L F Cooper, Melvin D Livingston, Robin Baker, Suzan M Walters, Rachel E Gicquelais, Stephanie A Ruderman, Peter D Friedmann, Wiley D Jenkins, Vivian F Go, William C Miller, Ryan P Westergaard, Heidi M Crane
BACKGROUND: Drug overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 in 2021 and 2022. Substance use stigma is a major barrier to treatment and harm reduction utilization and is a priority target in ending the overdose epidemic. However, little is known about the relationship between stigma and overdose, especially in rural areas. We aimed to characterize the association between felt stigma and non-fatal overdose in a multi-state sample of rural-dwelling people who use drugs. METHODS: Between January 2018 and March 2020, 2,608 people reporting past 30-day opioid use were recruited via modified chain-referral sampling in rural areas across 10 states...
April 6, 2024: Harm Reduction Journal