Public Support for Harm Reduction Strategies to Address the Opioid Pandemic in the United States: A Latent Class Analysis.
Saved in:
| Title: | Public Support for Harm Reduction Strategies to Address the Opioid Pandemic in the United States: A Latent Class Analysis. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Liu, Weiwei (AUTHOR), Taylor, Bruce (AUTHOR), Pollack, Harold A. (AUTHOR), Schneider, John (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Substance Use & Misuse. 2026, Vol. 61 Issue 10, p1719-1727. 9p. |
| Subjects: | Substance abuse, Drug overdose, Medical marijuana, Cross-sectional method, Patient safety, Disease outbreaks, Public opinion, Opioid abuse, United States. Food & Drug Administration, Structural equation modeling, Descriptive statistics, Harm reduction, Drug approval, Surveys, Narcotics, Social support, Therapeutics |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | Background and Aims: Harm reduction represents an approach that aims to reduce risk, promote safety, and prevent disease or disability, and has proven to be effective in preventing overdose death. However, public perceptions are mixed. Past studies have not examined public perceptions across a range of different types of harm reduction strategies. We examine public support for five different types of common harm reduction strategies, including the legalization of safe consumption sites, FDA approval of over-the-counter/nonprescription naloxone, increased number of methadone clinic locations, decriminalizing Fentanyl testing strips, and implementation of syringe service programs, in a national representative sample. Methods: Latent class analysis was applied to JCOIN Survey 10 data (N∼6500) to investigate whether there are distinct profiles of perceptions supporting these different types of harm reduction strategies. We also explore how demographics and past direct and indirect experiences with opioid use, overdose, and criminal legal involvement relate to these profiles. Results: We found four distinct profiles: a group of 22.9% expressing strong support for harm reduction policies, a group with mixed support (35.4%), that is, they support some but not other harm reduction policies, a profile of individuals holding neutral opinions (22.4%), and a group holding strong opposition for harm reduction policies (19.3%). Demographics and past experiences with opioids and criminal legal involvement are differentially associated with these profiles. Conclusions: Information and educational programs should be designed to target different groups of individuals to increase understanding and support for harm reduction policies and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Substance Use & Misuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
Be the first to leave a comment!
