title: Illicit buprenorphine use, interest in and access to buprenorphine treatment among syringe exchange participants.
abstract: Poor access to buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) may contribute to illicit buprenorphine use. This study investigated illicit buprenorphine use and barriers to BMT among syringe exchange participants. Computer-based interviews conducted at a New York City harm reduction agency determined: prior buprenorphine use; barriers to BMT; and interest in BMT. Of 102 opioid users, 57 had used illicit buprenorphine and 32 had used prescribed buprenorphine. When illicit buprenorphine users were compared to non-users: barriers to BMT ("did not know where to get treatment") were more common (64 vs. 36%, p<0.01); mean levels of interest in BMT were greater (3.37 ± 1.29 vs. 2.80 ± 1.34, p=0.03); and more participants reported themselves likely to initiate treatment (82 vs. 50%, p<0.01). Illicit buprenorphine users were interested in BMT but did not know where to go for treatment. Addressing barriers to BMT could reduce illicit buprenorphine use.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Electronic address: adfox@montefiore.org.
authors.forename: Aaron D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.affiliation: Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Sohler
authors.affiliation: Washington Heights CORNER Project, New York, NY, 10033, USA.
authors.forename: Taeko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
authors.forename: Chinazo O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000592:standards*; D009519:New York City; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000592:standards*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine
keywords: Access to care; Buprenorphine; Opioid addiction; Syringe exchange