Patterns of delta 8 THC and cannabis uptake in Nebraska: A cannabis prohibition state.

BACKGROUND: Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, derived psychoactive cannabis products containing delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have become increasingly popular across the US, particularly in states that lack medical or recreational cannabis programs. Despite this, little is known about patterns of delta 8 THC use. METHODS: A sample of Nebraska residents (a state without legal medical or recreational cannabis) were surveyed to gather data on substance use, including delta 8 THC and cannabis, across the state. Then, logistic regressions were used to calculate relative odds ratios to understand the factors that increased the likelihood at which Nebraska residents use delta 8 THC or cannabis products. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that younger adults have higher odds of delta 8 THC use but not cannabis and that non-white participants had higher odds of delta 8 use than white non-Hispanic groups but there was no difference for cannabis use. Political affiliation, sexual orientation, access, and knowledge of friends who used cannabis were also associated with cannabis use but not delta 8 THC use. Past substance use and personal opinion regarding cannabis use increased likelihood for both delta 8 THC and cannabis use. CONCLUSION: These results illuminate several factors which affect cannabis and delta 8 THC use while providing insight on the people that are most likely to be impacted by the potential consequences of substance use, especially when considering the inconsistent laws governing cannabis and delta 8 THC use across the US.

Factors associated with gaps in naloxone knowledge: evidence from a 2022 great plains survey.

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of fast-acting opioids in the USA suggests the increased need for non-professional first responder administration of naloxone. Effective administration of naloxone during an overdose requires that bystanders are familiar with, have access to, and know how to use naloxone. METHODS: Drawing on a statewide, address-based sample of Nebraskan adults, we used logistic regression to predict the likelihood of respondents' familiarity with, access to, and competency to administer naloxone. Our independent variables included measures indicating proximity to drug use, perceived community stigma toward people who use drugs, and demographic data. RESULTS: There were significant gaps in naloxone knowledge in Nebraska. Although 74.8% of respondents were familiar with naloxone, only 18.2% knew how to access it and 18.0% knew how to use it. Being close to an overdose experience, lifetime illicit opioid use, being close to a person who uses opioids, and having access to illicit opioids were not significantly associated with naloxone familiarity, access, or competency among respondents in Nebraska's two largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln. Outside of these cities, being close to a past overdose experience and access to illicit opioids was associated with higher odds of naloxone access and competency, but lifetime opioid use and being close to a person who uses opioids were not. Finally, among those familiar with naloxone, a higher perception of community stigma toward people who use opioids generally was associated with lower odds of naloxone access and competency. Higher perception of community stigma toward people who use heroin, methamphetamines, and cocaine, however, was associated with higher odds of naloxone access. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the continued need for education on naloxone with a specific focus on access and competency to further reduce opioid-related overdose deaths. Specific focus should be placed on promoting naloxone knowledge among people with a higher likelihood of needing to administer naloxone to reduce otherwise avoidable deaths. Further work is needed to understand differences in the relationship between substance-specific perceived stigma and its association with naloxone access.

Factors Associated with Gaps in Naloxone Knowledge: Evidence from a 2022 Great Plains Survey.

Background: The rising prevalence of fast-acting opioids in the United States suggests the increased need for non-first responder administration of naloxone. Effective administration of naloxone during an overdose requires that bystanders are familiar with, have access to, and know how to use naloxone. Methods: Drawing on the 2022 Nebraska Annual Social Indicators survey, we analyzed naloxone familiarity, access, and competency to administer among a statewide, address-based sample of Nebraskan adults. Results: There were significant gaps in naloxone knowledge in Nebraska. Although 75.6% of respondents were familiar with naloxone, only 18.6% knew how to access naloxone and 17.6% knew how to use naloxone. We find that more frequent religious service attendance is associated with lower odds of naloxone familiarity. Among those familiar with naloxone, a higher perception of community stigma towards opioids generally is associated with lower odds of naloxone access and competency. Higher perception of community stigma towards heroin, methamphetamines, and cocaine, however, is associated with higher odds of naloxone access. Finally, past overdose experience, lifetime illicit opioid use, being close to a person who uses opioids, and having access to illicit opioids was not significantly associated with naloxone familiarity, access, or competency among respondents in Nebraska's two largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln. Outside of these cities, past overdose experience and access to illicit opioids was associated with higher odds of naloxone access and competency, but lifetime opioid use and being close to a person who uses opioids had no effect. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the continued need for education on naloxone with a specific focus on access and competency to further reduce opioid-related overdose deaths. Education campaigns targeted at places of worship or individuals close to people who use opioids may further serve those with a lower likelihood of naloxone familiarity and promote knowledge of naloxone among those with higher odds of encountering an overdose. Further work is needed to understand differences in the relationship between substance-specific perceived stigma and its association with naloxone access.