Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Beliefs and Attitudes about Vermont’s Buprenorphine Decriminalization Law among Clinicians Who Prescribe Buprenorphine. |
| Authors: |
Feder, Kenneth A., Byrne, Lauren, Miller, Samantha M., Sodder, Shereen, Saloner, Brendan |
| Source: |
Substance Use & Misuse. 2024, Vol. 59 Issue 1, p150-153. 4p. |
| Subjects: |
Health policy, Buprenorphine, Attitudes of medical personnel, State governments, Drug laws, Surveys, Drug prescribing, Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Research funding, Physician practice patterns |
| Geographic Terms: |
Vermont, United States |
| Abstract: |
Background On June 1, 2021, Vermont repealed all criminal penalties for possessing 224 milligrams or less of buprenorphine. We examined the potential impact of decriminalization with a survey of Vermont clinicians who prescribed buprenorphine within the past year. Methods All 638 Vermont clinicians with a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine were emailed the survey by Vermont Department of Health; 117 responded. We estimated the prevalence of the following four outcomes, for all responding clinicians and stratified by clinician demographics and practice characteristics: awareness of decriminalization, beliefs about the effects of decriminalization, support for decriminalization, and changes in practice resulting from decriminalization. Results 72 (62%) prescribers correctly stated that Vermont does not have criminal penalties for buprenorphine possession. 107 (91%) support decriminalization. 56 (48%) believe that, because buprenorphine is decriminalized, their patients are more likely to give, sell, or trade the buprenorphine that is prescribed to them to someone else. However, only 5 providers (4%) said they now prescribe to fewer patients. Conclusion The great majority of Vermont clinicians who prescribe buprenorphine support its decriminalization and have not changed their prescribing practices because of decriminalization. Highlights In 2021, Vermont repealed criminal penalties for buprenorphine possession. We surveyed Vermont (n = 117) buprenorphine prescribers about decriminalization. 91% of providers support decriminalization. 48% of providers believe decriminalization will increase diversion of medications. Only 4% of providers prescribe to fewer patients because of decriminalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
