%0 Journal Article
%T Managing the stigma of opioid use
%A Heather Stuart
%J Healthcare Management Forum
%@ 2352-3883
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0840470418798658
%X Substance use stigma makes it difficult to reframe the opioid crisis as a public health issue and has been a barrier to accessing life-saving treatments. Interventions using people that convey recovery stories are promising practices. Groups that may benefit from targeted stigma reduction interventions include opioid users (to combat shame and blame), at-risk youth, first responders, dispensary personal, media, and healthcare professionals. The evidence supporting antistigma interventions is thin, with little Canadian research. Research is needed to establish the effectiveness of substance-related stigma reduction strategies. Health leaders should examine their own responsibilities to lead the public health debate, reduce opioid-related stigma, and actively engage members of the community of those with lived experience to become partners in these activities
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0840470418798658