Overcoming stigma: Community support for overdose prevention sites.

Overdose prevention sites (OPS) are beginning to be examined for their feasibility of implementation in the United States to curb the fatality of overdoses. Support for these sites varies greatly and can impact local policy, implementation, and the long-term viability of such programs. This study examined two communications strategies - research and anecdotal evidence - and their effect on public support for an OPS. One group (n= 106) was presented with a summary of research evidence for the efficacy of implementing an OPS in their community. The other group (n= 109) received similar information framed as personal anecdotes from people who use drugs (PWUD), people who work with PWUD, and community members of neighborhoods with an OPS. Communicating the efficacy of OPS as research evidence was associated with increased support for implementation and a decreased belief that an OPS will attract crime. Lower stigma towards PWUD was also associated with increased support. However, neither condition was associated with changes in stigma towards PWUD. Jurisdictions implementing OPS should utilize research evidence in communicating the program proposal to the public. Further research is needed regarding best practices for reducing stigma towards PWUD and the subsequent support for the implementation of an OPS.

Journey to wellness: A socioecological analysis of veterans in recovery from substance use disorders.

Substance use disorders are increasingly prevalent among veterans in the United States. Veterans in recovery face unique challenges, such as high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and inadequate housing and mental health services. While prior research has explored veterans' experiences in recovery, studies have not implemented a multilevel perspective in their analyses. The current qualitative study examined how individual veteran experiences intersect with interpersonal and systemic factors. Semistructured focus groups were conducted with veterans who were former or current residents of recovery homes (N = 20). Thematic analysis was utilized to explore veterans' personal experiences through the CHIME-D framework (connectedness, hope & optimism, identity, meaning in life, empowerment, and difficulties). The data were further analyzed within a socioecological model (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community). Each component of the CHIME-D framework was salient across all focus groups, with connectedness, empowerment, and difficulties being the most prominent themes that occurred across all socioecological levels. Results suggest that recovery initiatives can effectively assist veterans by promoting empowerment, facilitating social connections, and addressing cooccurring difficulties across multiple socioecological contexts. Additionally, treatment programs should encourage veterans to take on meaningful roles in their communities. Future research should continue to explore veterans' recovery experiences using a socioecological model.

Patterns of Community Violence Exposure among African American Adolescents Living in Low-Resourced Urban Neighborhoods.

African American adolescents living in neighborhoods with concentrated economic disadvantage are disproportionately exposed to community violence. This study builds upon previous research and examines patterns, severity, and chronicity of violence exposure, within a sample of African American adolescents living in low-resourced, urban neighborhoods (n = 327). The influence of both individual- and contextual-level factors on community violence exposure (CVE) is examined. Data were collected across four time points at 6-month intervals. Latent transition analysis identified three patterns of CVE at each time point: low witnessing and low victimization (LW-LV), high witnessing and low victimization (HW-LV), and high witnessing and high victimization (HW-HV), as well as transitions between each class. Although a stable LW-LV class membership over time was the most prevalent pattern, most adolescents experienced some change in exposure. Nearly one-third of the participants were classified in the HW-HV group at some point in time. Analyses on individual- and contextual-level factors revealed that more depressive symptoms, community problems (e.g., drugs, graffiti, noise), or community resources (e.g., schools, parks, recreational facilities) were associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing high levels of violent victimization. Implications for intervention and prevention of CVE are discussed.