Original research
by
Sumnall, Harry R. et al
Release Date
2023
Geography
UK
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Yes
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
We investigated whether depiction of the characteristics of decedents represented in news articles about drug related deaths (DRD) was associated with differences in stigmatising attitudes and support for harm reduction policy.
Findings/Key points
Stigma was higher towards depictions of male, older, and heroin deaths. Harm reduction support was higher in those participants seeing older compared to younger subjects, and the older ecstasy decedent compared to younger decedent.
Design/methods
Participants (N = 1280) were randomly presented with one of eight simulated news stories that reported on a DRD that differed with respect to drug (ecstasy or heroin), and the gender (male or female) and age (younger or older) of the decedent.
Keywords
Harm reduction
Stigma
Mortality
