Lead: Implementation Gaps in US Syringe Service Programs, 2022

Implementation Gaps in US Syringe Service Programs, 2022  JAMA  This study performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Syringe Services Programs in the US (SSPUS) dataset to determine implementation gaps. 613 syringe service programs (SSPs) included in the dataset were geocoded to county boundaries, which were then analyzed for urbanicity and SSP need (based on HCV mortality, HIV incidence, and drug overdose mortality). The study found that most high need counties did not have an SSP: 81.2% of high HCV need counties, 69.5% of high HIV need counties, and 75.7% of high overdose need counties did not have an SSP. SSPs were more commonly located in urban counties than suburban or rural counties. The study is limited in that not all SSPs are represented within the SSPUS database; however it highlights important implementation gaps.   Read this issue of the ASAM Weekly Subscribe to the ASAM Weekly Visit ASAM