![]() Xylazine, a veterinary sedative, is an adulterant and complement to other drugs and its chronic use is reported to be associated with physical deterioration. Data from one semi-structured interview collected in New York City (2007-2008) as part of a larger research study with migrant Puerto Rican drug users is presented as a case study. This report provides information on xylazine use and its associated harms. Although Puerto Rican injecting drug users (IDUs) have reported using this drug since the early 2000s, little is being done in the research and service delivery sectors as it is claimed that xylazine severely impacts the health of its users. Human xylazine use in Puerto Rico merits particular attention for its unprecedented scale and depth. Conclusions: Understanding variations in substance use patterns across rural and urban locales may improve surveillance efforts and tailor desistance and harm reduction efforts at the state and local levels. Discussion: Variations in substance use patterns and associated health risks are likely shaped by social and geographic boundaries. Polysubstance use profiles that shared similar characteristics between samples also shared similar injection patterns, with some variation. The urban sample had one high polysubstance class. Both samples had classes of primary heroin injectors, primary speedball injectors, and cocaine-heroin injectors. Classes were similar across samples however, key differences emerged. Results: Five latent classes were identified in the urban sample, and three latent classes were identified in the rural sample. Injection behaviors were examined as possible correlates of latent class membership. Latent class analysis was used to derive separate urban and rural profiles of weekly injection and non-injection substance use. The data for the rural sample come from 315 PWID residing in four rural cities approximately 40-miles from San Juan. Material and methods: Data for the urban sample come from 455 PWID who participated in the CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance survey of injection drug use in San Juan. The aim of the study is to compare injection and non-injection substance use profiles among separate urban and rural samples of Puerto Rican PWID. Introduction: In contrast to urban populations, little is known about polysubstance use among rural people who inject drugs (PWID), particularly in Puerto Rico where injection drug use and related health consequences are prevalent. ![]()
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