Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39300519›Full record

ArticleHarm reduction journal2024

Key stakeholders' perspectives of illicit drug use and associated harms in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Bryce Brickley, Samuel Moore, Noemi Tari-Keresztes, Anthea Brand, Madeleine Bower, Jason G Bonson, Alice McEntee, Ashlea J Bartram, Nataly Bovopoulos, Skye McPhie and 4 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Harm reduction journal, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Bryce BrickleyCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, NT, Australia. bryce.brickley@flinders.edu.au.
Samuel MooreCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Noemi Tari-KeresztesCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Anthea BrandCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Madeleine BowerCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Katherine, NT, Australia.
Jason G BonsonCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Alice McEnteeCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Ashlea J BartramCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Nataly BovopoulosAlcohol and Drug Foundation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Skye McPhieAlcohol and Drug Foundation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Craig MartinAlcohol and Drug Foundation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Cassandra WrightMenzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Jacqueline BowdenCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
James A SmithCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, NT, Australia.

Funding

Alcohol and Drug Foundation N/A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, there are significant evidence gaps about illicit drug use and harms, despite having established monitoring and reporting systems. This paper reports on illicit drug use, associated harms, contributing factors, service needs and priorities in the NT from the perspective and experiences of key stakeholders engaged in providing services for, or advocating on behalf of, people who use illicit drugs in the NT.

methodsFace-to-face and online qualitative interviews were conducted with stakeholders across urban and remote locations in the NT. Key stakeholders were service providers, including acute and primary care clinicians, representatives of Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, lived experience advocates, peak body representatives and public health executives. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.

resultsFour researchers interviewed 21 participants across urban (62%), and remote areas (38%) of the NT. Themes identified were: (1) Illicit drug use and harms are diverse and distinct; (2) Client support needs are complex and influenced by co-morbidities, socio-demographic and cultural factors; (3) Priority population sub-groups need targeted strategies; (4) Local service strengths can be further developed and enhanced; (5) Local services need better resourcing; (6) Invest in progressive legislative and policy reforms; and (7) Improve routine monitoring and evaluation.

conclusionsKey stakeholders described illicit drug use, harms and contributing factors, which provided insights into the local challenges. Participants emphasised that clients have complex care needs, and further investment into targeted strategies are required to improve service engagement with priority groups. Service needs included greater understanding the role of dual diagnosis and its implementation and enhancing integrated and collaborative care in both primary health and acute care contexts. The voices of people with lived experience captured in this paper must inform local strategy and policy development relating to illicit drug use, in alignment with national strategy.

Indexed as

Harm ReductionSubstance-Related DisordersAdultFemaleHealth Services Needs and DemandHumansIllicit DrugsMaleNorthern TerritoryQualitative ResearchRecreational Drug UseStakeholder ParticipationIllicit DrugsEvidence gaps, public healthHarm reductionIllicit drugsNeeds assessmentQuality improvement

Identifiers

PMID39300519
PMCPMC11414258

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.