Kristin Hanoa

• Hanoa, Kristin & Gjersing, Linn (2026). Prescribed and non-prescribed benzodiazepine use and its correlates in a sample of out-of-treatment people who use drugs. Journal of Substance Use. ISSN 1465-9891. p. 1–7. doi: 10.1080/14659891.2026.2658808. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin & Buvik, Kristin (2025). Egenopplevelse av risiko for overdose. In Gjersing, Linn; Clausen, Thomas & Edvardsen, Hilde Marie Erøy (Ed.), Overdoseboka. En helhetlig gjennomgang. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202852610. p. 189–206. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Boken omhandler et bredt spekter av temaer knyttet til overdoseproblematikk. Den går i dybden på rusmidlers virkning, risikofaktorer og relaterte helseutfordringer. Politikkens og myndighetenes rolle i forebygging og behandling presenteres. Boken utforsker også skadereduksjon og oppfølging i tjenesteapparatet, og gir et innblikk i brukeres, pårørendes og helsepersonells opplevelser og erfaringer. Videre belyses politiets arbeid, obduksjoner og registrering av dødsfall. Målet er at boken kan bidra til en mer helhetlig forståelse, og dermed bedre tjenester og en reduksjon av overdoser.

• Bilgrei, Ola Røed; Hanoa, Kristin & Buvik, Kristin (2024). “You have to be street smart”: Street capital and the social organisation of risk among people who inject drugs in Norway. Health, Risk and Society. ISSN 1369-8575. 26(3-4), p. 135–151. doi: 10.1080/13698575.2024.2318548. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study explores the social organisation of risk among injecting drug users in Norway. Based on qualitative interviews with 80 people who regularly injected drugs, recruited from harm reduction services in five Norwegian cities, the analysis illus-trates how users embody various forms of capital in order to mitigate harm. These forms of capital work along three axes that we conceptualise as sociocultural, inject-ing and structural capital. First, the sociocultural capital highlights how users accounted for a field-specific competence that enabled them to evaluate the trust-worthiness of drug dealers, and the quality and purity of the drugs they bought. Second, the injecting capital illustrates the drug-related competence among users, and how they managed their drug use in certain ways to minimise harm. Third, structural capital emphasises how users learned to benefit from various low-threshold agencies and the welfare state. Together, these forms of risk capital illustrate the subtle, and often neglected, forms of capital embedded within marginalised populations and how they ‘do’ harm reduction in their everyday interactions and drug use. If interventions within this population are to succeed, there is need for a greater awareness of such forms of capital and how these are employed within the social environments in which drug-related risks are organised.

• Hanoa, Kristin; Bilgrei, Ola Røed & Buvik, Kristin (2023). Injecting Alone: The Importance of Perceived Safety, Stigma and Pleasure for Solitary Injecting. Journal of Drug Issues (JDI). ISSN 0022-0426. 54(1), p. 74–89. doi: 10.1177/00220426231151377. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin; Buvik, Kristin & Karlsson, Bengt Eirik (2023). Death Holds No Fear: Overdose Risk Perceptions Among People Who Inject Drugs. Contemporary Drug Problems. ISSN 0091-4509. 50(3), p. 312–327. doi: 10.1177/00914509231164764. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Drug overdose is an important public health problem. Despite well-known risk factors and various preventive measures, the overdose mortality rate has increased substantially in several countries worldwide over the past decade. There is therefore a need to understand overdoses on the basis of how people who inject drugs (PWID) perceive and experience risk. Based on qualitative interviews with 80 PWID recruited from low-threshold settings in Norway, this study explores the complex lived experiences and perceptions of overdose. The qualitative approach is sensitive towards lived experiences and provides new understandings of overdoses. The analysis revealed three types of accounts concerning perceived overdose risk. First, interviewees described death as natural and not frightening, based on perceptions of death as universal, a part of their high-risk lifestyle and their previous overdose experiences. Second, they presented accounts of how they perceived others to be at greater risk of overdose than themselves, in respect of experience, skills and tolerance. Finally, interviewees described an indifference towards death, on a continuum between the wish to live and death as relief from various life challenges. This study illustrates how PWID inhabit drug-using environments which entail a high-risk lifestyle. Faced with these risks, the interviewees presented stories which may serve several functions, such as neutralizing feelings of risk and stigma and gaining a sense of agency and control. They also created symbolic boundaries in order to form positive perceptions of self, by distancing themselves from other stereotypical people who use drugs. The participants additionally expressed an indifference towards overdose death. This may entail that avoiding death, the main rationale of overdose interventions, is viewed with indifference by some PWID. This is important for understanding the complexity of overdose mortality and should be reflected in future harm-reduction initiatives.

• Gjerde, Hallvard; Bretteville-Jensen, Anne Line; Bache-Andreassen, Lihn; Hanoa, Kristin; Furuhaugen, Håvard & Brochmann, Gerd-Wenche [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Which illicit drugs are injected in Oslo? A study based on analysis of drug residues in used injection equipment and self-reported information. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. 51(1), p. 21–27. doi: 10.1177/14034948211043984. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background People who inject drugs (PWID) have a high risk of premature death due to fatal overdoses. Newly emerged fentanyls, much more potent than heroin and other opioids, may increase this risk further. Therefore, precise information on injected drugs is critical to improving prevention strategies. Aims This study aimed to analyse drug residues in used injection equipment in order to determine drug and drug combinations and compare and complement findings with self-reported information. Methods Used syringes and needles ( n=766) were collected at the supervised drug consumption facilities, the needle exchange service and two low-threshold health services for problem drug users in Oslo, Norway. The material was collected every third month from June 2019 to June 2020 and analysed for 64 substances using highly specific analytical methods (ultra–high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry). Additionally, a street-recruited sample of PWID was interviewed from 2017 to 2019 regarding their drug injection habits ( n=572). Results Heroin (65.5%) or amphetamines (59.8%), often in combination (30.5%), were commonly detected in drug residues. Other opioids, stimulants or benzodiazepines were rarely detected (6.1%). Fentanyl was detected in only one syringe. Heroin was the most reported drug (77.6% during the past four weeks, 48.3% daily/almost daily), followed by amphetamines (57.5% during the past four weeks, 23.1% daily or almost daily). Injection of methadone, buprenorphine and dissolved tablets was self-reported more frequently than determined in drug residue findings. Conclusions Analysis of the injection equipment proved useful as a non-invasive, rapid and accurate means to obtain detailed information on injected drugs in Oslo and supplement traditional PWID survey information.

• Hanoa, Kristin; Bilgrei, Ola Røed; Buvik, Kristin & Gjersing, Linn (2021). “Hooked on the needle”: Exploring the paradoxical attractions towards injecting drug use. Drugs: education prevention and policy. ISSN 0968-7637. 29(6), p. 667–674. doi: 10.1080/09687637.2021.1955829. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Injecting drug use is one of the leading risk factors for infections and drug-related deaths. Despite these risks, many people who inject drugs (PWID) continue to inject despite access to alternative intake methods. In this study, we explore this seemingly paradoxical attraction. We conducted 80 qualitative interviews with PWID, recruited from low threshold settings in five Norwegian cities, where we focuson the process of injection initiation and why PWID maintain such behaviour over time, despite associated negative consequences. The analysis shows how participants’ experiences evolved from a fear of the needle, to embracing it as a meaningful practice. First, this involved social interaction and learning from other PWID, second, appreciating the intensity and speed of the intoxication, third, the positive ritual aspect of injecting, and finally, a devaluation of other modes of use. The study thereby helps expand upon and provide new understandings of the interactional process and cultural context of drug use, in which the interplay of social factors influences individual actions and promotes injecting over other modes of use. Future interventions for reducing the number of PWID thus need to consider how various social contexts impinge on, or even encourage, injecting drug use.

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• Gjersing, Linn; Clausen, Thomas; Edvardsen, Hilde Marie Erøy; Bergem, Anne Kristine; Buvik, Kristin & Eide, Desiree [Show all 21 contributors for this article] (2025). Overdoseboka. En helhetlig gjennomgang. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202852610. 284 p. doi: https:/www.cappelendamm.no/boker/overdoseboka-9788202852610. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Boken omhandler et bredt spekter av temaer knyttet til overdoseproblematikk. Den går i dybden på rusmidlers virkning, risikofaktorer og relaterte helseutfordringer. Politikkens og myndighetenes rolle i forebygging og behandling presenteres. Boken utforsker også skadereduksjon og oppfølging i tjenesteapparatet, og gir et innblikk i brukeres, pårørendes og helsepersonells opplevelser og erfaringer. Videre belyses politiets arbeid, obduksjoner og registrering av dødsfall. Målet er at boken kan bidra til en mer helhetlig forståelse, og dermed bedre tjenester og en reduksjon av overdoser.

• Hanoa, Kristin; Giertsen, Hedda & Varang, Kjersti (2003). Liv og lovbrudd. Universitetsforlaget. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Nasjonalt vitenarkiv

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• Andreas, Jasmina Burdzovic; Hanoa, Kristin; Scheffels, Janne & Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete (2026). Skole- og familieprogrammer for å forebygge rusmiddelbruk: evidens for effekt i internasjonal litteratur og vurderinger av gjennomførbarhet i norsk kontekst. doi: https:/www.helsedirektoratet.no/om-oss/forsoksordninger-og-prosjekter/nasjonalt-program-for-rusforebyggende-arbeid-blant-barn-og-unge/_/attachment/inline/437d75b8-d43c-4934-8165-3424286cc80f:015790f066ef2fe02ff531ae79fd7d977951d6c0/Familie-%20og%20skoleprogrammer%20i%20ISDUP%20og%20EUPC%20og%20bruk%20av%20disse%20i%20en%20norsk%20kontekst.pdf. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin & Buvik, Kristin (2025). Ambivalens til liv og død: Om risiko for overdose blant personer som bruker rusmidler med sprøyte. Forebygging.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Bilgrei, Ola Røed & Hanoa, Kristin (2025). Navigating the complex currents of risk environments among people who use drugs: A commentary. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (NAD). ISSN 1455-0725. 42(5-6), p. 462–464. doi: 10.1177/14550725251396863. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin; Lunde, Rose Elisabeth; Beisland, Sunniva Husevåg & Eide, Desiree (2026). Evaluering av Overdosefare.no. Tidlig implementering og bruk 2026. Senter for Rus- og Avhengighetsforskning (Seraf), UiO. Full text in Research Archive
• Lund, Marianne; Scheffels, Janne; Sæbø, Gunnar; Hanoa, Kristin; Fjær, Eivind Grip & Moan, Inger Synnøve (2026). Rusforebygging i skolen II. En kvalitativ undersøkelse av læreres, rektorers og helsesykepleieres erfaringer og perspektiver. Folkehelseinstituttet. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin (2024). "It's like dancing with the Devil". Perspectives on risk, pleasure and overdose among people who inject drugs. Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge/Universitetet i Søraust-Noreg. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Nasjonalt vitenarkiv

• Hanoa, Kristin; Buvik, Kristin & Bilgrei, Ola Røed (2022). Opplevelser av risiko for overdose blant personer som bruker rusmidler med sprøyte. Folkehelseinstituttet. Full text in Research Archive
• Gjerde, Hallvard; Bache-Andreassen, Lihn; Bretteville-Jensen, Anne Line; Hanoa, Kristin; Furuhaugen, Håvard & Brochmann, Gerd-Wenche [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Hvilke rusmidler injiseres i Oslo? Analyser av rusmidler i brukte sprøytespisser. Folkehelseinstituttet. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin; Bilgrei, Ola Røed; Buvik, Kristin & Gjersing, Linn (2020). Risikofylte inntaksmetoder av rusmidler. Resultater fra en kvalitativ studie av 80 personer som bruker stoff med sprøyte. Folkehelseinstituttet. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin (2008). Vold og trusler mellom innsatte. En intervjuundersøkelse. Kriminalomsorgens høgskole og utdanningssenter KRUS. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanoa, Kristin (2000). Grove ran – slik utøverne ser det. Regjeringen.no. Full text in Research Archive

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