Fentanyl harm reduction strategies among Latinx communities in the United States: a scoping review.
Harm Reduction Journal · 2024-08-16 · Scoping review
Abstract
PURPOSE: Fueled by the prescription opioid overdose crisis and increased influx of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, fentanyl overdoses continue to be a public health crisis that has cost the US economy over $1 trillion in reduced productivity, health care, family assistance, criminal justice, and accounted for over 74,000 deaths in 2023. A recent demographic shift in the opioid crisis has led to a rise in overdose deaths among the Latinx population. Harm reduction interventions, including the use of naloxone and fentanyl test strips, have been shown to be effective measures at reducing the number of opioid overdose deaths. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize naloxone and fentanyl test strip interventions and public health policies targeted to Latinx communities. METHODS: PubMed, CINHAL, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO research databases using the keywords "fentanyl," "Latinx," "Harm Reduction," "Naloxone," and "Fentanyl Test Strips'' to identify studies published between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2023. Endnote and Covidence software were used to catalog and manage citations for review of studies. Subsequently, studies that met inclusion criteria were then summarized using resulting themes. RESULTS: Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were further abstracted for the scoping review. Of these articles, 77.7% (n = 21) included a naloxone intervention, while only 11.1% (n = 3) included a fentanyl test strip intervention. Furthermore, 30.1% (n = 8) of these studies were Latinx targeted, and 7.7% (n = 2) of the studies were adapted for Latinx populations. Four themes, including an overall lack of knowledge and awareness, a lack of access to harm reduction or opioid overdose prevention resources, an overall lack of culturally adapted and/or targeted interventions, and restrictive and punitive policies that limit the effectiveness of protective factors were highlighted in this scoping review. CONCLUSION: Limited published research exists on the use of emerging harm reduction behaviors, such as the use of naloxone and fentanyl test strips as community intervention strategies to prevent opioid overdose deaths. Even fewer publications exist on the targeting and cultural adaptation of harm reduction interventions responsive to Latinx communities, especially those using theoretical approaches or frameworks to support these interventions. Future research is needed to assess the unique needs of Latinx populations and to develop culturally responsive programs to prevent opioid-related overdose deaths among this population.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Analgesics · Antidotes · Bystanders · Equity & disparities · Fentanyl · Naloxone · Poisoning & substance use · Synthetic opioids · Socially vulnerable groups
Related articles
- Spatial and neighborhood-level correlates of lay naloxone reversal events and service availability. (Int J Drug Policy, 2022)
- Personal experience and awareness of opioid overdose occurrence among peers and willingness to administer naloxone in South Africa: findings from a three-city pilot survey of homeless people who use drugs. (Harm Reduct J, 2022)
- Racial differences in overdose events and polydrug detection in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Drug Alcohol Depend, 2020)
- Emergency Department-Administered Extended-Release Buprenorphine After Fentanyl Overdose Reversed by Emergency Medical Services With Naloxone. (J Emerg Med, 2026)
- Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative naloxone distribution strategies: First responder and lay distribution in the United States. (Int J Drug Policy, 2020)
- Carfentanil: A New and Often Unrecognized Threat. (J Spec Oper Med, 2017)