TY - JOUR
T1 - "The life they save may be mine"
T2 - Diffusion of overdose prevention information from a city sponsored programme
AU - Sherman, Susan G.
AU - Gann, Donald S.
AU - Tobin, Karin E.
AU - Latkin, Carl A.
AU - Welsh, Christopher
AU - Bielenson, Peter
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - Background: Overdose remains the leading cause of death among injection drug users (IDUs) in the United States. Overdose rates are consistently high in Baltimore, MD, USA. The current qualitative study examines diffusion of information and innovation among participants in Staying Alive, an overdose prevention and naloxone distribution programme in Baltimore, MD. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted between June 2004 and August, 2005 with 25 participants who had completed the Staying Alive training and had reported using naloxone to revive an overdose victim. Interviews were taped and transcripts were transcribed verbatim. Results: Participants were 63% male, 63% African American, and the median age was 41 years old. Participants successfully shared information on overdose prevention and management, particularly the use of naloxone, to their peers and family. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates IDUs' interest in and ability to diffuse overdose prevention information and response skills to the injection drug use community. The study underscores the importance of promoting the diffusion of information and skills within overdose prevention programmes.
AB - Background: Overdose remains the leading cause of death among injection drug users (IDUs) in the United States. Overdose rates are consistently high in Baltimore, MD, USA. The current qualitative study examines diffusion of information and innovation among participants in Staying Alive, an overdose prevention and naloxone distribution programme in Baltimore, MD. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted between June 2004 and August, 2005 with 25 participants who had completed the Staying Alive training and had reported using naloxone to revive an overdose victim. Interviews were taped and transcripts were transcribed verbatim. Results: Participants were 63% male, 63% African American, and the median age was 41 years old. Participants successfully shared information on overdose prevention and management, particularly the use of naloxone, to their peers and family. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates IDUs' interest in and ability to diffuse overdose prevention information and response skills to the injection drug use community. The study underscores the importance of promoting the diffusion of information and skills within overdose prevention programmes.
KW - Injection drug users
KW - Naloxone
KW - Overdose
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=58549107569&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=58549107569&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.02.004
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.02.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 18502635
AN - SCOPUS:58549107569
SN - 0955-3959
VL - 20
SP - 137
EP - 142
JO - International Journal of Drug Policy
JF - International Journal of Drug Policy
IS - 2
ER -