Enhancing drug checking services for supply monitoring: perspectives on implementation in syringe service programs in the USA

Original research
by
Moon, Kyle J. et al

Release Date

2024

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

The overarching aim is to describe how drug checking services at harm reduction organizations can be used for supply-level monitoring amidst rapid shifts in the drug landscape without compromising individual-level information for PWUD, and in this way, inform public health interventions for the worsening overdose crisis in the USA

Findings/Key points

Enhancing drug checking methods for supply-level monitoring has the potential to detect emerging threats in the drug supply and reduce the toll of the worsening overdose epidemic.

Design/methods

We used a semi-structured guide to facilitate discussion of four different approaches for syringe service programs (SSPs) to offer drug checking services for supply-level monitoring. Using thematic analysis, we identified four key principles that SSPs should consider when implementing drug checking programs.

Keywords

Drug checking
Illegal drugs