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Heroin shortage in Coastal Kenya: A rapid assessment and qualitative analysis of
heroin users experiences
#MMPMID26470646
Mital S
; Miles G
; McLellan-Lemal E
; Muthui M
; Needle R
Int J Drug Policy
2016[Apr]; 30
(?): 91-8
PMID26470646
show ga
INTRODUCTION: While relatively rare events, abrupt disruptions in heroin
availability have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality risk among
those who are heroin dependent. A heroin shortage occurred in Coast Province,
Kenya from December 2010 to March 2011. This qualitative analysis describes the
shortage events and consequences from the perspective of heroin users, along with
implications for health and other public sectors. METHODS: As part of a rapid
assessment, 66 key informant interviews and 15 focus groups among heroin users in
Coast Province, Kenya were conducted. A qualitative thematic analysis was
undertaken in Atlas.ti. to identify salient themes related to the shortage.
RESULTS: Overall, participant accounts were rooted in a theme of desperation and
uncertainty, with emphasis on six sub-themes: (1) withdrawal and strategies for
alleviating withdrawal, including use of medical intervention and other
detoxification attempts; (2) challenges of dealing with unpredictable drug
availability, cost, and purity; (3) changes in drug use patterns, and actions
taken to procure heroin and other drugs; (4) modifications in drug user
relationship dynamics and networks, including introduction of risky group-level
injection practices; (5) family and community response; and (6) new challenges
with the heroin market resurgence. CONCLUSIONS: The heroin shortage led to a
series of consequences for drug users, including increased risk of morbidity,
mortality and disenfranchisement at social and structural levels. Availability of
evidence-based services for drug users and emergency preparedness plans could
have mitigated this impact.
|Drug Users/psychology/*statistics & numerical data
[MESH]
free
free
free
