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Nov. 26, 2025 – Four hundred people struggling with drug addiction will be paid to share their stories as part of a groundbreaking federal study aimed at breaking down barriers to health care.
The goal is to find out what barriers exist for people with substance use disorder when it comes to accessing health care. Vermont drug users who inject, inhale and snort will take surveys about drug use trends and what services they access.
“What are the factors that impede on their ability to access addiction services and treatment programs?” said Devika Singh with the Larner College of Medicine.
Singh and Jessica Kirby are leading the study. Singh’s background is in infectious diseases. Kirby works for the Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform with people impacted by substance use disorder, HIV, hepatitis C and overdoses.
“We have a really high number of clients with hepatitis C. We also work with a lot of people who experience barriers to health care related to their drug use, related to homelessness, related to shame, related to past negative experiences of health care,” said Kirby.
Kirby believes the study will show that transportation, the lack of a cellphone or clean clothes, and fear of judgment are the reasons drug users aren’t getting necessary treatment, preventive and emergency health care.
