Objectives. This study focused on the public health issues surrounding new heroin users, individuals who are in the initial stage of use. Methods. As part of the TRENDS project, in-depth interviews were conducted with active heroin users who were recruited using targeted and chain-referral sampling. The constant comparison method common in grounded theory guided the data analysis. Qualitative data were managed by QSR NUD*IST. Results. Salient themes impacting public health that emerged from the data include route of administration, sharing of paraphernalia, and sexual behaviors surrounding first-time use. The physical and psychological effects of initial heroin use were found to differ based on amount of heroin used, route of administration, social setting, and previous experience with other substances. Conclusions. The findings provided first-hand accounts of the high-risk activity involved in first time use of heroin, such as risk of transferring HIV/AIDS and HCV and health factors related to the sharing of needles between intimate partners. Learning Objectives. Participants will recognize the different public health issues involved for first-time heroin experimenters, for those who are interested only in periodic use, and for those who are new heroin users but are also active users of other drugs.
Learning Objectives: Participants will recognize the different public health issues involved for first-time experimenters, for those who are interested only in periodic use, and for those who are new heroin users but are also users of other drugs.
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Drug Addiction
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.