Evaluating Engagement in Health Care and Substance Use Disorder Services Among People Who Use Drugs

An urban community-based organization conducted a study to examine demographics of individuals who use drugs and their approaches to risk reduction. A substantial proportion reported encountering significant barriers to accessing substance use disorder (SUD) services. In collaboration with a state survey, the community organization recruited a convenience sample of individuals who actively used drugs, examining substance use patterns, healthcare access, and barriers to SUD services. Community health workers facilitated outreach efforts, focusing on harm reduction engagement, and healthcare access. Data were collected from 55 individuals. 51% identified as male, 48% as female, and 2% as LGBTQIA+. 67% identified as White/Caucasian, 13% as Black/African American, 11% as Hispanic, and 7% as multiracial. Reported substance use patterns included heroin (98%), crack/cocaine (51%), alcohol (26%), opioids other than heroin (24%), and marijuana (15%). About 75% utilized harm reduction services or programs provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. In conclusion, 87% of self-reported active drug users had healthcare coverage. Despite this, 14.5% visited the emergency department once in the past year, and 32.7% of those visited 2–5 times, often relying on emergency care for SUD needs. A notable disparity thus existed between healthcare coverage and the utilization of appropriate SUD services. Healthcare providers can help to address this issue by offering integrated care and reducing barriers to treatment. Authors published results of this research in Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-024-00601-1