Objectives: To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide among young injection drug users (IDUs), and describe their treatment seeking behaviors. Methods: IDUs aged 18-30 were recruited in five U.S. locations: Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, and Los Angeles. Participants underwent interviewer-administered questionnaires concerning sociodemographics, behaviors and experiences during the prior six months. Chi-square analyses and logistic regression was used to identify services accessed by IDUs who had attempted suicide compared to those who had not, controlling for age and site. Results: Of 2175 IDUs with complete data, the sample was 63.3% male and 20.3% African American; mean age was 23.7 years. Thirty-six percent reported suicidal ideation in the past six months, of whom 149 (18.9%) reported a suicide attempt. Compared to those not reporting a recent suicide attempt, those attempting suicide were more likely to currently be receiving drug abuse treatment (53.7% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001), an association which persisted after controlling for age, site and other covariates [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.18, (95% CI: 1.54-3.09)]. Conclusions: One third of young IDUs reported suicidal ideation in the past six months, among whom nearly one fifth had recently attempted suicide, which highlights the need for appropriate suicide prevention services in this vulnerable population. Since persons who have attempted suicide are at high risk of subsequent attempts and completed suicide, these data suggest that drug treatment programs could represent an important site for locating such services.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Suicide
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.