Work

Is that a treatment program? Examining the physical landscape of opioid treatment programs in Los Angeles

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Little attention has been paid to the built environment of outpatient opioid treatment programs, despite the need to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder, particularly among people of color. The aims of this study were to rate the attractiveness of publicly-funded opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Los Angeles County and explore whether less attractive OTPs are found in disadvantaged neighborhoods. METHODS: We conducted observations of the exteriors of all OTPs located in specialty substance use disorder treatment clinics in Los Angeles County in 2021 (N = 44). We created an attractiveness index based on attractiveness of the building exteriors and the surrounding grounds, the presence of disorder such as garbage and graffiti, and the presence of bars on the windows. We tested whether less attractive facilities were more likely to be situated in disadvantaged neighborhoods with high concentrations of racial/ethnic minorities. RESULTS: Most building exteriors were found to have an ordinary level of attractiveness or rated as unattractive. The grounds were largely unattractive. We found a significant negative association between attractiveness and neighborhood disadvantage. CONCLUSION: This project was a preliminary study of the physical conditions of OTPs in Los Angeles. We found was that the physical conditions of OTPs in LA County were generally poor. Research has identified many individual and structural barriers to treatment for people with opioid use disorders. Future research should empirically test the association between the built environment of treatment clinics and access to treatment, particularly in communities of color.

Source: Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment

DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209256

Authors: Suzanne E. Spear, Priscilla Salcedo, Steven M. Graves, Hui Xie

Institutions: California State University, Northridge, University of California, Santa Barbara

Language: English

Topic: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,340