Differences in illegal drug consumption between native and immigrants in a large sample of injected drug users in Catalonia (Spain).

The aims of this study were to describe illegal drug abuse patterns in relation to the migration process and use of drug treatment centers among immigrant injected drug users (IDUs) involved in harm reduction programs, and to compare the characteristics of immigrant and native IDUs. Cross-sectional study of 748 IDUs aged ≥18 years attending harm reduction centers between 2008 and 2009. We explored differences in socio-economic status, illegal drug consumption, health status and use of treatment centers in native versus immigrant IDUs. We also described whether immigrant IDUs started using injected drugs before or after entering the host country. Immigrant IDUs tend to live alone more frequently, start injection at later ages, use heroin and inject it more frequently and use drug treatment centers less frequently than native IDUs. Seventy-six percent of immigrants began using illegal drugs before arriving at the host country. Those who started in other countries were residing in the host country for 5 years or less (63.9%). Overall, immigrant IDUs attended drug treatment centers (36.9%) less frequently than native IDUs (71.8%). In conclusion, migration could be a risk factor for illegal drug abuse initiation or increase in consumption, often with the adoption of local consumption patterns and aggravated due to a lower access to drug treatment centers.

Diferencias en el consumo de drogas ilegales entre nativos e inmigrantes en una amplia muestra de consumidores de droga por vía parenteral en Cataluña (España) / Differences in illegal drug consumption between native and immigrants in a large sample of injected drug users in Catalonia (Spain)

El objetivo del estudio era describir los patrones de abuso de drogas ilegales en relación con el proceso migratorio y el uso de centros de tratamiento entre los usuarios de drogas por vía inyectada (IDUs) de los programas de reducción de daños, y comparar las características de los IDUs nativos e inmigrantes. Estudio de diseño transversal de 748 IDUs de más de 18 años que fueron atendidos en los centros de reducción de daños entre 2008 y 2009. Se exploraron las diferencias en las condiciones socioeconómicas, de consumo de drogas ilegales, de estado de salud y de uso de los centros de tratamiento de drogas entre los IDUs nativos y los inmigrantes. Además, también se ha descrito si los IDUs inmigrantes empezaron a inyectarse drogas ilegales antes o después de entrar en el país de acogida. Los IDUs inmigrantes tienden a vivir solos más frecuentemente, a empezar la inyección a edad más avanzada, a usar heroína inyectada más frecuentemente y a usar menos los centros de tratamiento de drogas que los nativos. Un 66% de los inmigrantes empezaron a usar drogas ilegales antes de llegar al país de acogida. Los que empezaron en otros países llevaban 5 o menos años residiendo en el país de acogida (63,9%). En general, los IDUs inmigrantes (36,9%) frecuentaban menos los centros de tratamiento de drogas que los nativos (71,8%). En conclusión, la migración podría ser un factor de riesgo para la iniciación en el abuso de las drogas ilegales o el aumento de su consumo, a menudo adoptando los patrones de consumo local y agravándose debido al menor acceso a los centros de tratamiento de drogas

The aims of this study were to describe illegal drug abuse patterns in relation to the migration process and use of drug treatment centers among immigrant injected drug users (IDUs) involved in harm reduction programs, and to compare the characteristics of immigrant and native IDUs. Cross-sectional study of 748 IDUs aged ≥18 years attending harm reduction centers between 2008 and 2009. We explored differences in socio-economic status, illegal drug consumption, health status and use of treatment centers in native versus immigrant IDUs. We also described whether immigrant IDUs started using injected drugs before or after entering the host country. Immigrant IDUs tend to live alone more frequently, start injection at later ages, use heroin and inject it more frequently and use drug treatment centers less frequently than native IDUs. Seventy-six percent of immigrants began using illegal drugs before arriving at the host country. Those who started in other countries were residing in the host country for 5 years or less (63.9%). Overall, immigrant IDUs attended drug treatment centers (36.9%) less frequently than native IDUs (71.8%). In conclusion, migration could be a risk factor for illegal drug abuse initiation or increase in consumption, often with the adoption of local consumption patterns and aggravated due to a lower access to drug treatment centers