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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2018, 20, N4 (pages: 13 - 18)

A Review of Literature Assessing Public Opinion of Heroin Assisted Treatment

Berrigan P.

Summary: Background: A result of the growing prevalence of synthetic opioids, the incidence of overdose is increasing in many jurisdictions. As opioid overdose is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and resource use, strategies for managing opioid addiction are becoming increasingly important. Literature suggests that for patients who do not respond to conventional treatment, a harm reduction strategy including physician prescribed heroin, represents a reasonable treatment strategy. Despite its potential benefit, given its controversial nature, adoption of physician prescribed heroin without public support is politically unviable. Aims: The purpose of the present study is to conduct a review of literature assessing public opinion of heroin assisted treatment for the treatment of patients with opioid addiction. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for studies reporting data on public opinion surveys of heroin assisted treatment with no publication date restrictions. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched using the terms “Heroin assisted treatment” OR “Prescribed heroin” AND “Public opinion”. Google Scholar was searched first using the terms “Heroin assisted treatment” and “Public opinion” and then using the terms “Prescribed heroin” and “Public opinion”. Results: In total, 10 studies were identified referencing 22 surveys, 20 of which were unique, from 10 countries. The present study highlights significant variability in public support for HAT ranging from 19.5% to 74.6%. Conclusion: Given the degree of variability both between and within countries regarding public support for heroin assisted treatment, further research is required to help guide decision-makers assessing the treatment.