Housing-based syringe services programs to improve access to safer injecting equipment for people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada: a spatially oriented qualitative study

Original research
par
Chayama, Koharu Loulou et al

Date de publication

2023

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

This study examines the role of housing-based syringe services programs (SSPs) in distributing injecting equipment to people who inject drugs (PWID) in Vancouver.

Constatations/points à retenir

Many participants accessed SSPs in housing facilities and expressed preference for these programs over those offered at other locations and through other health and social services. Three major themes emerged to explain this preference. First, most participants injected in the buildings where they resided, and housing-based SSPs made injecting equipment available when and where it was most needed. Second, many participants preferred to avoid carrying syringes outside of the places where they inject due to fears that syringe possession may lead to criminal charges or confiscation of syringes and/or illicit drugs by police. Third, for some participants, anti-drug user stigma and concerns over unwillingly disclosing their drug use hindered access to SSPs outside of housing settings. Programs operated within housing facilities often offered greater client anonymity along with more supportive and less stigmatizing environments, particularly in the presence of peer staff.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Semi-structured in-depth interviews (n=26)

Mots clés

Harm reduction
About PWUD
Barriers and enablers
SCS/OPS
Housing
Injecting drugs