Harm reduction for young people who use prescription opioids extra-medically: Obstacles and opportunities.
Extra-medical prescription opioid (EMPO) use - intentional use without a prescription or outside of prescribed parameters - is a public health crisis in the United States and around the world. Epidemiological evidence suggests that the prevalence of EMPO use and adverse sequelae, including opioid overdose and hepatitis C infection, are elevated among people aged 18-25. Despite these preventable health risks, many harm reduction interventions are underutilized by, or inaccessible to, EMPO-using youth. In this commentary, we describe key harm reduction strategies for young people who use prescription opioids. We examine individual, social, and policy-level barriers to the implementation of evidence-based approaches that address EMPO use and related harms among young people. We highlight the need for expanded services and new interventions to engage this diverse and heterogeneous at-risk population. A combination of medical, social, and structural harm reduction interventions are recommended. Furthermore, research to inform strategies that mitigate particularly high-risk practices (e.g., polysubstance use) is warranted. Finally, we discuss how the meaningful involvement of youth in the implementation of harm reduction strategies is a critical component of the public health response to the prescription opioid epidemic.
['Marshall|Brandon D L|BD|', 'Green|Traci C|TC|', 'Yedinak|Jesse L|JL|', 'Hadland|Scott E|SE|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D000701:Analgesics, Opioid D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated D055030:Drug Users D005260:Female D040261:Harm Reduction D015438:Health Behavior D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006297:Health Services Accessibility D006801:Humans D008297:Male D010358:Patient Participation D064226:Prescription Drug Diversion D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse D015995:Prevalence D012307:Risk Factors D019966:Substance-Related Disorders D014481:United States D055815:Young Adult
Harm reduction Prescription opioids Youth Adolescence Prescription drug misuse