Prescription opioid use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users in New York City
WR Davis, BD Johnson - Drug and alcohol dependence, 2008 - Elsevier
OBJECTIVE: The use of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs is well researched in New York
City, but prescription opioids (POs) have been overlooked. This study documents patterns of
PO use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users, and begins to indicate how drug
culture practices interact with the legitimate therapeutic goals of PO prescriptions (eg pain
management). METHODS: Staff completed interviews inquiring about the reasons for use of
POs and illicit drugs with 586 street drug users. Ethnographers wrote extensive field notes …
City, but prescription opioids (POs) have been overlooked. This study documents patterns of
PO use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users, and begins to indicate how drug
culture practices interact with the legitimate therapeutic goals of PO prescriptions (eg pain
management). METHODS: Staff completed interviews inquiring about the reasons for use of
POs and illicit drugs with 586 street drug users. Ethnographers wrote extensive field notes …