Läckagets konsekvenser
En kvalitativ intervjustudie om illegalt bruk av buprenorfin
Title: Consequences of diversion ? a qualitative interview study regarding illicitbuprenorphine use.In year 1999 buprenorphine was introduced in Sweden and is used in treatment for opioiddependence. An issue concerning substitution treatment programmes is the occurrence ofdiversion and the following illegal sails of buprenorphine on a black market. The aim of thisstudy was to explore how people who have used illicitly obtained buprenorphine describessuch abuse. The study was conducted using qualitative method, where a total of fiveindividuals were interviewed about past experiences of having used illicitly acquiredbuprenorphine. The findings indicate that polydrug use and intake by injection or through thenose are common amongst illicit users of buprenorphine. Buprenorphine was described as apossible substance of abuse. Moreover, it is discussed whether availability and attitudesconcerning buprenorphine as a cleaner and/or safer substance than other drugs can contributeto increased abuse of opiates through buprenorphine amongst drug users who have notpreviously been in contact with opiates. The authors argue that further research is needed toexplore the extent of diversion from domestic substitution treatment programs, and to widenthe understanding of how buprenorphine function as a drug of abuse.