Drug use and treatment from the perspective of the users' family and friends in Bogota, Colombia

Authors

  • Daniel Gonzalo Eslava Albarracín Universidad Javeriana; Facultad de Enfermería
  • Bruna Brands University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Canada and Public Health and Regulatory Policies
  • Edward Adlaf University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Norman Giesbrecht University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Laura Simich University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Maria da Gloria Miotto Wright Organization of American States; Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700006

Keywords:

street drugs, alternative therapies, family, substance-related disorders

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the partial results from a quantitative study that addresses the perspective of drug users' family and friends regarding the treatment of problems resulting from the use of illicit drugs. Participants were 104 health service users in Bogotá. Of the participants, 58% consider that drug use is a disease that needs treatment; 56% stated the general hospital as the main alternative for treatment; 95% reported that the state accounted for this situation. Participants were more acquainted with private institutions, with therapeutic communities and religious groups being reported as the ones with the strongest commitment to the problem. For 73% of participants, the existing services are inappropriate and of difficult use and access. Stigma is the main barrier for a person to seek health care, and only 50% believe there is any use in treatments. There is a need for broader dissemination of the existing resources so as to increase their implementation and use.

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Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 17 (2009): Número Especial

Section

Original Articles

License

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How to Cite

Drug use and treatment from the perspective of the users’ family and friends in Bogota, Colombia. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(spe), 788-795. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700006