NCJ Number
161034
Journal
Public Health Reports Volume: 110 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1995) Pages: 621-624
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
After a series of fatal overdoses among drug users was attributed to the synthetic narcotic analgesic fentanyl, the New Jersey Department of Health conducted street interviews with 160 injection drug users to identify channels through which this population heard about the outbreak and to gauge drug addict responses.
Abstract
Interview results suggested that drug users learned about severe health threats from various sources. The frequency with which these sources were reported differed significantly, according to drug user sex and by city. Although television was a more important source of information about the outbreak than any other formal means of communication, drug users did not regard television as a reliable source of information about "bad dope." Moreover, it did not appear that broadcasts of public warning messages encouraged addicts to stay away from dangerous drugs. Interview data demonstrated the need for health officials to improve their understanding of the channels through which drug users receive information on health threats and showed how public health messages are perceived and processed by needle users. The authors emphasize the importance of close collaboration among drug enforcement personnel, testing laboratories, and health officials to present clear and effective public health messages. 8 references and 3 tables