A study in San Francisco explored the shifting trend from injecting to smoking fentanyl, revealing motivations, techniques, and risks associated with this method. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Researchers in San Francisco studied the transition from injecting to smoking fentanyl , finding it driven by fear of overdose and injection difficulties, yet still associated with significant risks.
Individual experiences and local trends around fentanyl smoking are highlighted in a new interview-based study in San Francisco, CA. The insights provide deepening understanding of this dangerous and growing practice. Daniel Ciccarone of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues presented their findings on May 22, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE .
Risks of Fentanyl Use Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is linked to severe health risks, including a high potential for addiction and an exceptionally high overdose risk. Notably, fentanyl significantly contributes to the escalating rate of drug overdose deaths in the US. Although fentanyl is traditionally injected, parts of the US have seen a growing transition from fentanyl injection to fentanyl smoking.
However, , studies exploring this shift and its health implications are sparse. To deepen understanding, Ciccarone and colleagues applied a qualitative research framework known as rapid ethnography. They interviewed 34 volunteers recruited from syringe service programs in San Francisco, CA, about their beliefs and behaviors.