International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 46, 2017, Pages 41-46

Health-damaging policing practices among persons who inject drugs in Mexico: Are deported migrants at greater risk? (Article)

Pinedo M. , Beletsky L. , Alamillo N. , Ojeda V.D.*
  • a Alcohol Research Group Public Health Institute, 6475 Christie Avenue, Suite 400, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 50 University Hall #7360, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, United States
  • b Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0507, La JollaCA 92093, United States, Northeastern University School of Law & Bouvé College of Health Science, 416 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
  • c Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0507, La JollaCA 92093, United States, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, 9500 Gilman Drive #0507, La JollaCA 92093, United States
  • d Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0507, La JollaCA 92093, United States

Abstract

Background Evidence-based public health and criminal justice policies aimed at addressing the structurally vulnerable population of persons who inject drugs (PWID) and who are involved in the immigrant enforcement and deportation system are lacking. Policing practices are critical structural determinants of HIV among PWID. PWID in Mexico who have been deported from the US are at elevated risk of HIV. Methods From 2011 to 2013, 733 PWID were recruited to complete structured questionnaires, including past 6-month experiences with police. Eligible PWID were 18 years or older, had injected in the past month, and resided in Tijuana, Mexico with no intentions of moving. To determine if deportation status was associated with experiences of arrests and problematic policing practices, we conducted separate multivariate logistic regression models for independent policing variables. Results In multivariate analyses, deportation status was independently associated with higher odds of being arrested (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.45; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.02–2.05), being asked for a bribe (AOR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.05–2.04), and being forced to leave a place of residence (AOR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.08–3.70) in the past 6 months. Conclusion Results highlight a previously poorly understood elements of the US-deportation experience: migrants’ experiences with law enforcement post-deportation and the role of deportation policies and practices as structural drivers of public health risk in destination countries. We provide policy recommendations for Mexico and the US based on our findings, which have potential application in other countries seeking to improve enforcement and related policing practices from a public health perspective. © 2017

Author Keywords

Injection drug use Deportation Policing practices Police victimization HIV risk migrant Mexico

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population human epidemiology immigration middle aged sex difference detention statistics and numerical data controlled study priority journal substance abuse Logistic Models Mexico Human immunodeficiency virus human rights abuse cocaine Surveys and Questionnaires United States marriage Humans migrant male female Malpractice police questionnaire high risk population Article legislation and jurisprudence Substance Abuse, Intravenous adult migration age diamorphine methamphetamine statistical model person who inject drug Transients and Migrants battering public policy criminal justice health hazard miscellaneous named groups law enforcement public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85020485529&doi=10.1016%2fj.drugpo.2017.05.028&partnerID=40&md5=a5684735825e4f728ec2bf836143ab9f
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.028
ISSN: 09553959
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English