Table 3.
COVID-19 survey responses (n = 50)
| COVID responses | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Don’t know | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | % | n | % | |||||
| Technology Use | ||||||||
| I have had reliable access to cell phone service over the past month | 43 | 86.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 6 | 12.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| I have had reliable access to the internet over the past month | 38 | 76.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 10 | 20.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| I have technology that I can use to video chat with others | 45 | 90.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I can reliably receive mail and deliveries at the place I am living/staying | 47 | 94.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Accessibility of basic resources | ||||||||
| I'm confident I have a stable place to stay during this time | 37 | 74.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 8 | 16.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Most people who use drugs have somewhere they can shelter in place during this time | 17 | 34.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 28 | 56.0 | 2 | 4.0 |
| I'm confident I can maintain a stable income/stream of money during this time | 19 | 38.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 28 | 56.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| I'm confident I can get enough food for myself during this time | 40 | 80.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 8 | 16.0 | 0 | |
| I'm confident I can get enough food for my family or other loved ones who I care for or am responsible for during this time | 36 | 72.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 10 | 20.0 | 2 | 4.0 |
| I'm confident I can get necessities such as: electricity, gas, batteries during this time | 37 | 74.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 9 | 18.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Accessibility of health supports | ||||||||
| I'm confident I can access medical care, not including COVID-19 related care, during this time | 46 | 92.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| I'm confident I can still get needed medications (e.g., diabetes; anxiety), not including COVID-19 medications, during this time | 35 | 70.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 10 | 20.0 | 2 | 4.0 |
| I'm confident I can access drug use treatment during this time | 38 | 76.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 7 | 14.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I'm confident I can access my local SSP and their services/resources during this time | 48 | 96.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I'm confident I can obtain naloxone/Narcan during this time | 45 | 90.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I'm confident I can obtain sterile syringes and injection equipment during this time | 48 | 96.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Healthcare and stigma | ||||||||
| If someone who uses drugs tests positive for COVID-19, they will be treated unfairly or not given the same amount of attention by medical professionals as other COVID-19 patients | 23 | 46.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 20 | 40.0 | 4 | 8.0 |
| Even if I had COVID-19 symptoms, I would be reluctant to seek healthcare because of previous negative experiences with the medical system | 16 | 32.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 34 | 68.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| If I end up in the hospital for withdrawal or overdose, I am confident that I will be treated appropriately | 22 | 44.0 | 7 | 14.0 | 19 | 38.0 | 2 | 4.0 |
| Drug use | ||||||||
| The process of getting drugs has been more difficult during this time | 33 | 66.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 14 | 28.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I worry I might go into withdrawal in the near future | 22 | 44.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 25 | 50.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Most people who use drugs have somewhere they can shelter in place during this time | 17 | 34.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 28 | 56.0 | 2 | 4.0 |
| When I get drugs, I have not been able to follow social distancing recommendations (e.g. staying six feet or more away from others, avoiding crowded places) | 24 | 48.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 22 | 44.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| The types of drugs I use has changed during this time due to availability | 25 | 50.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 22 | 44.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Because of less than normal supply, I feel pressure to share drugs, supplies, and equipment | 15 | 30.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 32 | 64.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I am more likely to use drugs alone during this time than I was before | 25 | 50.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 21 | 42.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| I worry that I will end up with a bad batch of drugs that is dangerous in the near future | 28 | 56.0 | 10 | 20.0 | 11 | 22.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Mental health | ||||||||
| I feel more depressed, unmotivated, or defeated during this time than I normally do | 27 | 54.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 21 | 42.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| I feel lonelier during this time than I normally do | 20 | 40.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 26 | 52.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| I feel more anxious or on edge during this time than I normally do | 38 | 76.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 10 | 20.0 | 0 | 0.0 |