Barriers associated with the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among illicit drug users.

Background: Illicit drug users account for the majority of cases of HCV infection in the developed world, but few have received treatment.

Methods: We evaluated barriers to initiating HCV treatment -- including general treatment willingness -- and factors associated with these among HCV infected illicit drug users. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling from two community clinics in Canada.

Public opinion towards supervised injection facilities and heroin-assisted treatment in Ontario, Canada.

In recent years, controversial interventions such as 'heroin-assisted treatment' (HAT) and 'supervised injection facilities' (SIFs) have been established in attempts to minimise the high morbidity and mortality consequences of illicit drug use. This paper examines public opinion towards HAT and SIF using data from the 2003 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Monitor, a representative population survey conducted among adults residing in Ontario, Canada. Data relating specifically to SIFs and HAT were isolated from the main database (n=885); agreement scores were collapsed to create a scale and analysed using independent sample t-tests and ANOVAs.

Prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis C infection (HCV) in a multi-site Canadian population of illicit opioid and other drug users (OPICAN).

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent in illicit drug user populations, with three in four new HCV infections related to this risk behaviour and a growing HCV disease burden in Canada. Using data from a multi-site cohort study of illicit opioid users in five Canadian cities (OPICAN), this paper explores the prevalence and predictors of HCV status in this high-risk population.

Methods: HCV status of cohort participants was assessed by salivary antibody test.

Hepatitis C, illicit drug use and public health: does Canada really have a viable plan?

Some 300,000 individuals are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Canada. HCV infection is associated with major morbidity, mortality and health care costs; these indicators are projected to rise over the next decade. The vast majority of prevalent and incident HCV infections in Canada are illicit drug use-related; thus, the HCV disease burden can only be addressed through interventions targeting this primary risk factor.

Crack across Canada: Comparing crack users and crack non-users in a Canadian multi-city cohort of illicit opioid users.

Aims: To examine possible differences between crack users and crack non-users across Canada.

Design: Cohort study of illicit opioid and other drug users in five cities across Canada.

Setting: Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, Canada.

Treatment for hepatitis C virus and cannabis use in illicit drug user patients: implications and questions.

Illicit drug users are the primary risk group for HCV transmission, and will form the largest HCV treatment population for years to come. Sylvestre et al.'s study suggests that cannabis use may benefit treatment retention and outcomes in illicit drug users undergoing HCV treatment.