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Predictors of Safe Prescription Opioid Storage and Participation in Drug Take-Back Events: Results from a Statewide Survey

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Abstract

Improper storage and disposal of prescribed opioids can lead to diversion or accidental poisonings. Studies of emergency department and cancer patients suggest prescription opioids are rarely stored securely or disposed of when unneeded. Safe storage and disposal practices reduce risks for others living in or visiting a household. The purpose of this study is thus to examine prescription opioid storage and participation in drug take-back events among Michigan adults. Participants (N = 702) were recruited through social media advertisements to complete an online survey in July and August 2018. Logistic regression was used to examine correlates of safe storage and disposal. 8.4% (n = 59) of participants reported always keeping opioids locked; 29.8% (n = 209) reported attending a drug take-back event. Black participants and those who believed that illegal drug use was a serious problem had greater odds of locking opioids; participants with higher levels of education or who knew someone who used heroin or misused prescription opioids had lesser odds of locking opioids. Age and race were associated with take-back event participation. Findings identify factors associated with safe prescription opioid storage/disposal and indicate safe storage/disposal seldom occurs. Education and provision of safe storage equipment should be designed for diverse ages, races/ethnicities, and levels of education. Drug take-back events not hosted by law enforcement may have broader appeal, as may those led by Black or other people of color. Wider use of drug donation boxes may facilitate increased disposal among those who do not wish to or cannot attend take-back events.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grant (TI080228). SAMHSA had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the paper for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Michael J. Broman, Grant A. Victor, Rachel Kollin, Emily Pasman & Stella M. Resko

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George St., Suite 901, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

    Jennifer D. Ellis

  3. School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 120 Albany Street, Tower One - Suite 200, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Jamey J. Lister

Authors
  1. Michael J. Broman
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  2. Jennifer D. Ellis
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  4. Rachel Kollin
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  5. Emily Pasman
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  7. Stella M. Resko
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Contributions

MB: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Data curation, Writing—Original Draft, Writing—Review & Editing, Visualization. JE: Formal analysis, Project Administration, Data curation, Writing—Original Draft, Writing—Review & Editing. GV: Writing—Original Draft, Writing—Review & Editing. RK: Data curation, Project Administration, Writing—Review & Editing. EP: Writing—Review & Editing. JL: Writing—Review & Editing. SR: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation, Supervision, Funding acquisition.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael J. Broman.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Approval

This study was approved by the Wayne State University Institutional Review Board.

Informed consent

Informed consent was gained using the following statement: Informed Consent (Public Perceptions Health Survey) You are being asked to be in a research study from Wayne State University about attitudes and behaviors related to opioid use, because you are an adult who is living in Michigan. If you take part in the study, you will be asked to fill out an online survey. The survey will ask about your substance use (alcohol, prescription drugs, heroin), your perceptions about people who use certain substances, and your perceptions about risks from using drugs. You will have the option of not answering questions if you do not want to. This survey will take about 15 min to complete. As a participant in this research study, there will be no direct benefit for you; however, information from this study may benefit other people now or in the future. Some of the survey questions address sensitive topics and might make you feel uncomfortable or sad. You are free to not answer any questions that you do not want to. At the end of the survey the telephone number for a helpline will be provided, if you would like to get help. If you complete the survey, you will be eligible to enter a drawing for one of 5 $100 Amazon gift cards. The drawing will be held at the end of the study, before December 2018. All information collected about you during the course of this study will be kept without any identifiers. The results of this study could be published, but would not include any information that would let others know who you are. Taking part in this study is voluntary. You are free to withdraw at any time. Your decision will not change any present or future relationships with Wayne State University or its affiliates. If you have any questions about this study, now or in the future, you may contact Elizabeth Agius at (313) 577–5251. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant, the Chair of the Institutional Review Board can be contacted at (313) 577–1628. If you want to talk to someone other than the research staff, you may also call the Wayne State Research Subject Advocate at (313) 577–1628 to discuss problems, obtain information, or offer input. Participation in this research is for residents of Michigan ages 18 and older; if you are not a resident of Michigan, and/or not older than age 18, please do not complete this survey. By completing the online survey, you are agreeing to participate in this study.

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Broman, M.J., Ellis, J.D., Victor, G.A. et al. Predictors of Safe Prescription Opioid Storage and Participation in Drug Take-Back Events: Results from a Statewide Survey. J Community Health 46, 1000–1007 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-021-00983-4

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