title: Drug dealing cessation among a cohort of drug users in Vancouver, Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drug dealing among drug users has been associated with elevated risk-taking and negative health outcomes. However, little is known about the cessation of drug dealing among this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed time to cessation of drug dealing using Cox regression. We also used generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis and chi-square analysis to examine factors associated with willingness to cease drug dealing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 868 participants reported drug dealing between November 2005 and March 2009. Among 381 participants dealing drugs at baseline, 194 (51%) ceased dealing. Incidence of dealing cessation was positively associated with spending less than $50 per day on drugs (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR]=1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-3.10) and negatively associated with buying drugs from the same source (AHR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.37-0.98). In a GEE analysis, willingness to cease dealing was positively associated with older age (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), crack use (AOR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.44-2.79), public injecting (AOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.55-2.43), and reporting that police presence affects drug purchases (AOR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.22-1.91), and negatively associated with crystal methamphetamine injection (AOR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.47-0.83).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensity of drug use and acquisition method were predictive of dealing cessation. Willingness to cease dealing was associated with a range of risky drug-related activities. Interventions to reduce drug dealing should be conceived in tandem with addiction treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081, Burrard Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Werb
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shoveller
authors.forename: Jiezhi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montaner
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D057237:Criminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*