Patterns of Prescription Drug Misuse among Young Injection Drug Users

摘要: Misuse of prescription drugs and injection drug use has increased among young adults in the USA. Despite these upward trends, few studies have examined misuse users (IDUs). A qualitative study was undertaken to describe current patterns IDUs. Young IDUs aged 16–25 years who had misused a drug, e.g., opioids, tranquilizers, or stimulants, at least three times past 3 months were recruited 2008 2009 Los Angeles (n = 25) New York 25). Informed by an ethno-epidemiological approach, descriptive data from semi-structured interview guide analyzed both quantitatively qualitatively. Most sampled homeless transient. Heroin, tranquilizers frequently 30 days. Qualitative results indicated that used opioids tranquilizers: as substitutes for heroin when it unavailable; boost high; self-medicate health conditions, including untreated pain withdrawal; curb use; reduce risks associated with injecting heroin. Polydrug involving resulted overdose multiple cases. Findings point contrasting availability North American cities while indicating broad street-based users. The highlight variety unmet service needs this sample IDUs, such prevention, treatment programs, primary care clinics, mental services.