Date of Award

8-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department/Program

Forensic Psychology

Language

English

First Advisor or Mentor

Philip Yanos

Second Reader

Martin McElhiney

Third Advisor

Peggilee Wupperman

Abstract

Social stigma against people who use drugs (PWUD) is incredibly common and has a negative impact on quality of life and recovery. PWUD that are subjected to stigma from their community are at higher risk of homelessness, overdose, and other drug-related health issues. Harm reduction programs encourage PWUD to use safely with a variety of services, including but not limited to drug testing, needle exchange, and professional supervision during drug use. These services are empirically proven to decrease drug use, overdose, and crime as a whole within the communities where they are implemented, but they often appear counter-intuitive to the uninformed public. This creates friction between the service providers and the community where the services are located, sometimes leading to the organizations being forced to vacate from community outcry. In the present study, 67 Manhattan residents living in the same zip code as OnPoint overdose prevention centers and 72 Bronx residents living in demographically similar zip codes were surveyed and evaluated for stigma against PWUD using the Stigma of Drug Users Scale (SDUS). The results indicated a non-significant trend of less stigma among those living near OnPoint centers. A personal history of substance use, positive perception of OnPoint, and support of safe injection were also associated with less stigma. Perceived increase in criminal activity was associated with more stigma. Further research should explore how harm reduction programs can better integrate into their communities.

Download

Share

COinS