Canadian Journal of Addiction
Volume 9, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 15-25

Push and pull: Migration patterns and links to harm reduction services among people who use drugs (Article)

Schreiber Y.S.* , Lin D.M. , Muldoon K.A. , Beckerleg W. , Marshall Z. , Lazarus L. , White A. , Ramsay T. , Tyndall M.
  • a Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada, School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventative Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • b School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventative Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • c Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada, School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventative Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • d Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • e Division of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada, School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
  • f Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
  • g Ottawa Inner Health, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • h Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada, School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventative Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • i BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Abstract

Objectives: The role ofmigration among people who use drugs (PWUD) remains a complex topic that is often shaped by risk but also has the potential for protective health outcomes. This study examines migration trends and the effect of migration on the use of social support services for PWUD in Ottawa-Gatineau region. Methods: Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit participants residing in Ottawa-Gatineau who were ≤18 years and used drugs in the preceding 6 months. Migration was defined as a permanent change in location after ≤ 3months. Push factors (reasons for leaving previous residence) and pull factors that brought them to Ottawa were explored. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted using odds ratio (OR), adjusted odds ratio (AOR), and 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively, to investigate the effect of migration on shelter use and accessing harm reduction services. Results: Of 398, 358 (89.95%) migrated in their lifetime and 71 (17.83%) within the last 12 months. Our sample was 79.40% male and 22.86%identified as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. Migratory push factors included getting away from drugs or harmful friends and pull factors included returning home for family. Recent migrants had higher odds of living in a shelter (AOR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.37-4.61) and lower odds (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19-0.82) of accessing harm reduction services. Conclusion: PWUD are a highly mobile group and despite being motivated to migrate to reconnect with family or social networks, a high prevalence of shelter use and low uptake of harm reduction services exists. © 2018 by the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine.

Author Keywords

Illicit drug use Migration Social support Harm reduction Homelessness

Index Keywords

educational status home indigenous people people who use drugs human population group work controlled study social support social care cocaine harm reduction family male Canada female prevalence Article adult gender migration drug abuse age disability friendship emergency shelter homelessness
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048024079&doi=10.1097%2fCXA.0000000000000018&partnerID=40&md5=21781f1113fd8c8eb1a8e3adc3c094f7
DOI: 10.1097/CXA.0000000000000018
ISSN: 23684720
Original Language: English