Commenters advocate for syringe services programs after actress dies from AIDS
Meanwhile, the DEA’s temporary ban on 7-OH, a compound derived from kratom, stoked controversy.
Meanwhile, the DEA’s temporary ban on 7-OH, a compound derived from kratom, stoked controversy.
After the actress known for voicing Lilo in Lilo & Stitch—who reportedly had a history of substance use—died of AIDS, social media users highlighted the importance of syringe services programs to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Plus, the Drug Enforcement Agency temporarily banned 7-OH, a synthetic version of kratom, reviving debate about whether kratom products can safely treat physical or mental health conditions. Additionally, a viral video of a man receiving naloxone during the New York Knicks Championship Parade sparked conversation about the importance of the medication and questions about how people behave after receiving it.
Given these discussions, communicators may share information about SSPs, highlight kratom’s dangers, and explain what to expect when administering naloxone.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about substance use
On June 16, 35-year-old actress Daveigh Chase died of AIDS. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner also listed chronic polysubstance use as one of Chase’s health conditions. Some social media posts discussing her death received millions of views as of July 7, with most focusing on her AIDS diagnosis. Some commenters wondered if Chase contracted HIV through intravenous drug use. Many advocated for SSPs, which offer sterile syringes and infectious disease testing and treatment to prevent disease spread.
On July 1, the DEA said it will ban supplements containing 7-OH for at least two years by classifying it as a Schedule 1 substance. However, supplements containing the natural form of kratom will remain available. Many social media users celebrated the news, warning the 7-OH can cause serious health problems, but some said the DEA should also ban the natural form of kratom, which also comes with risks. Others lamented the ban, suggesting that 7-OH and other kratom products can help treat chronic pain, substance use disorder, and mental health conditions. A few worried that a ban on 7-OH would push people to use more lethal substances, like fentanyl.
On June 18, during the Knicks parade, bystanders used naloxone to revive a man showing signs of an overdose. Video footage of the event and interviews afterward with an off-duty EMT who gave naloxone circulated widely online, with one Instagram post receiving approximately 810,700 views, 31,800 reposts, and 21,000 comments as of July 6. Many commenters said the video inspired them to carry naloxone and encouraged others to do the same, but some expressed stigmatizing attitudes toward people who use drugs. After receiving naloxone, the man seemingly tried to kiss or embrace a woman helping him, sparking conversation about how people may be disoriented after being revived. A few commenters expressed fear that people who receive naloxone could exhibit violent behavior.
Recommendations for public health professionals
The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about substance use.
Recent conversations about AIDS and substance use provide an opportunity to explain how SSPs and other harm reduction programs help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and protect the entire community. Messaging may stress that SSPs offer a range of services, including sterile syringes, infectious disease testing and treatment, and vaccinations. Messaging may also explain that these programs help prevent overdose deaths, help people who use drugs live healthier lives, and connect people to treatment when they’re ready. Communicators may want to direct people to local SSPs and other harm reduction programs.
Ongoing conversations about natural kratom and synthetic products like 7-OH demonstrate information gaps about their potential harms. Messaging may note that both 7-OH and natural kratom can cause serious side effects like liver damage, dizziness, trouble breathing, seizures, and dependence, emphasizing that 7-OH is more potent. Messaging may note that kratom is not an approved medication or supplement. Communicators may encourage people to talk to their health care providers about approved treatment options for physical and mental health conditions.
The viral video showing the lifesaving power of naloxone provides an opportunity to reiterate key messages about overdose response. Communicators may share the signs of an opioid overdose, explain that anyone can access naloxone (including for free from community programs), and show how to use it. Messaging may stress that bystanders witnessing a possible overdose should dial 911, administer naloxone, check for breathing, perform CPR if trained in it or if instructed by a 911 operator, and stay with the person until first responders arrive. Communicators may explain that if overdose symptoms do not resolve before help arrives, bystanders should give additional doses of naloxone every two to three minutes until the person begins to breathe normally. Emphasizing that it’s safe to administer naloxone even if the person isn’t overdosing or isn’t overdosing on opioids is recommended. Communicators may note that after the overdosing person is revived, bystanders may want to explain what happened in order to help them stay calm.
Insights reported by Public Good News, with communication guidance from the experts behind Infodemiology.com.