Improved syringe disposal practices associated with unsanctioned safe consumption site use: A cohort study of people who inject drugs in the United States

Original research
by
Kral, Alex H. et al

Release Date

2021

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

We evaluated an unsanctioned safe consumption site in an undisclosed United States city in 2018–2020 to assess whether use of the site was associated with improper syringe disposal practices.

Findings/Key points

When people used this unsanctioned safe consumption site, they disposed of significantly fewer syringes in public places, including streets, sidewalks, parks, or parking lots, than people not using the site. This study helps allay concerns that implementing safe consumption sites in the US would lead to increases in improperly disposed syringes.

Design/methods

n=494 PWUD interviewed at baseline, 6mos & 12mos

Keywords

Evidence base
Outcomes
Illegal drugs
SCS/OPS