@article{03bb90fd4ece4809a570c8c3491540ce,
title = "Attitudes and beliefs about Vermont's 2021 buprenorphine decriminalization law among residents who use illicit opioids",
abstract = "Background: In July 2021, Vermont removed all criminal penalties for possessing 224 mg or less of buprenorphine. Methods: Vermont residents (N=474) who used illicit opioid drugs or received treatment for opioid use disorder in the past 90 days were recruited for a mixed-methods survey on the health and criminal legal effects of decriminalization. Topics assessed included: motivations for using non-prescribed buprenorphine, awareness of and support for decriminalization, and criminal legal system experiences involving buprenorphine. We examined the frequencies of quantitative measures and qualitatively summarized themes from free-response questions. Results: Three-quarters of respondents (76%) reported lifetime use of non-prescribed buprenorphine. 80% supported decriminalization, but only 28% were aware buprenorphine was decriminalized in Vermont. Respondents described using non-prescribed buprenorphine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and avoid use of other illicit drugs. 18% had been arrested while in buprenorphine, with non-White respondents significantly more likely to report such arrests (15% v 33%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Decriminalization of buprenorphine may reduce unnecessary criminal legal system involvement, but its health impact was limited by low awareness at the time of our study.",
keywords = "Buprenorphine, Decriminalization, Opioids, State policy, mixed methods",
author = "Feder, {Kenneth A.} and Harris, {Samantha J.} and Lauren Byrne and Miller, {Samantha M.} and Shereen Sodder and Vanessa Berman and Amy Livingston and Jessica Edwards and Shane Hartman and Sugarman, {Olivia K.} and Hridika Shah and Justin Xu and Jewyl Raikes and Sabrina Gattine and Brendan Saloner",
note = "Funding Information: This research was supported by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. We would like to thank Monica Hutt, Chief Prevention Officer for the State of Vermont, and Dr. Mark Levine, MD, Vermont Commissioner for Health, for coordinating the development of this report. Data collection and management was conducted by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE). The data collection and analysis conducted here was overseen and supported by an advisory board of Vermont residents and stakeholders, including Anthony Folland, Peter Espenshade, Dawn Tatro, Anne VanDonsel, Amanda Jones, Xusana Davis, Will Eberle, Jessica King-Mohr, Tucker Jones, and Betty Wheeler. We thank them for their insight and contributions. The following organizations assisted with participant recruitment: VT CARES, Howard Center Safe Recovery, AIDS Project Southern Vermont, H2RC, Howard Center Chittenden Clinic, BAART Behavioral Health Services, Central Vermont Addiction Medicine – Berlin, West Ridge Center for Addiction Recovery, Habit OPCO, Brattleboro Retreat, Savida Health, Treatment Associates, Springfield Turning Point and Recovery Center, Turning Point Center of Rutland, Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, Turning Point Center of Windham County, Turning Point Center of Franklin County, Kingdom Recovery Center, Turning Point Center of Addison County, Franklin & Grand Isle Community Action, Vermont Department of Health Local Health Offices, Vermont Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Offices, Vermont Judiciary Adult Drug Treatment Court Dockets, Community Health Center Burlington, The Richford Health Center, Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), Groundworks Collaborative, Health Care & Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), Martha's Kitchen, Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Franklin Grand Isle Restorative Justice Center, ANEW Place, Age Well, Northern Green Mountain Family Medicine. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 Elsevier B.V.",
year = "2023",
month = sep,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110879",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "250",
journal = "Drug and alcohol dependence",
issn = "0376-8716",
publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
}