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Evolution of the Illegal Substances Market and Substance Users’ Social Situation and Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Jacques Gaume

    (Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Elodie Schmutz

    (Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Jean-Bernard Daeppen

    (Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Frank Zobel

    (Addiction Suisse, Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 14, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland)

Abstract

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken for tackling it had the potential to lead to deep modifications in the supply of illegal drugs and to impact substance users’ health and social situation. To investigate this, we used mixed methods, i.e., quantitative data collected with a brief questionnaire from substance users receiving opioid agonist treatment in a treatment centre in Switzerland ( N = 49), and qualitative data obtained using semi-structured phone interviews among a sub-group of participants ( N = 17). We repeated data collection twice over four weeks to investigate trends over time ( N = 51 and 14 at wave 2). Findings consistently showed the limited impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the illegal substance market. Over the two waves, the supply, price and purity of three main illegal substances did not significantly vary. Substance use was estimated as usual by most, trending toward a decrease. The impact of the pandemic on participants’ social situation and health was appraised as low to medium. Nevertheless, a minority of participants reported higher impact and multivariate analyses showed a more important impact for those who were female, younger, and not using multiple substances. This process was implemented quickly and provided an understanding of the short-term impact of the pandemic on drug markets and users.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacques Gaume & Elodie Schmutz & Jean-Bernard Daeppen & Frank Zobel, 2021. "Evolution of the Illegal Substances Market and Substance Users’ Social Situation and Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4960-:d:549896
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessio Gili & Mauro Bacci & Kyriaki Aroni & Alessia Nicoletti & Angela Gambelunghe & Isabella Mercurio & Cristiana Gambelunghe, 2021. "Changes in Drug Use Patterns during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Monitoring a Vulnerable Group by Hair Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Manderson, Lenore & Aaby, Peter, 1992. "An epidemic in the field? Rapid assessment procedures and health research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 839-850, October.
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