High levels of interest in access to free safer smoking equipment to reduce injection frequency among people who inject drugs in Seattle, Washington

Reid, Molly C.; Oliphant-Wells, Thea; Moreno, Courtney; Ketchum, Jake; Fitzpatrick, Thomas; McMahan, Vanessa; Glick, Sara N.

doi:10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100163

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In fact, since the time that this search was conducted, a new study was published in May 2023 that showed high interest in using safer smoking materials, with participants believing it would reduce their injection use of drugs. As additional studies are published, including those that are based on higher quality evidence, we anticipate a need to update this review in future years [ 70 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The utilization and delivery of safer smoking practices and services: a narrative synthesis of the literature

Tapper,

Ahern,

Graveline-Long

et al. 2023

Harm Reduct J

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Background Providing sterile drug smoking materials to people who use drugs can prevent the acquisition of infectious diseases and reduce overdose risk. However, there is a lack of understanding of how these practices are being implemented and received by people who use drugs globally. Methods A systematic review of safer smoking practices was conducted by searching PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase for relevant peer-reviewed, English-language publications from inception or the availability of online manuscripts through December 2022. Results Overall, 32 peer-reviewed papers from six countries were included. 30 studies exclusively included people who use drugs as participants (n = 11 people who use drugs; generally, n = 17 people who smoke drugs, n = 2 people who inject drugs). One study included program staff serving people who use drugs, and one study included staff and people who use drugs. Sharing smoking equipment (e.g., pipes) was reported in 25 studies. People who use drugs in several studies reported that pipe sharing occurred for multiple reasons, including wanting to accumulate crack resin and protect themselves from social harms, such as police harassment. Across studies, smoking drugs, as opposed to injecting drugs, were described as a crucial method to reduce the risk of overdose, disease acquisition, and societal harms such as police violence. Ten studies found that when people who use drugs were provided with safer smoking materials, they engaged in fewer risky drug use behaviors (e.g., pipe sharing, using broken pipes) and showed improved health outcomes. However, participants across 11 studies reported barriers to accessing safer smoking services. Solutions to overcoming safer smoking access barriers were described in 17 studies and included utilizing peer workers and providing safer smoking materials to those who asked. Conclusion This global review found that safer smoking practices are essential forms of harm reduction. International policies must be amended to help increase access to these essential tools. Additional research is also needed to evaluate the efficacy of and access to safer smoking services, particularly in the U.S. and other similar countries, where such practices are being implemented but have not been empirically studied in the literature.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The utilization and delivery of safer smoking practices and services: a narrative synthesis of the literature

Tapper,

Ahern,

Graveline-Long

et al. 2023

Harm Reduct J

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“…new glass pipes, aluminum foil, pipe covers) for years, more SSPs started providing such supplies in response to the shift towards smoking drugs (Fitzpatrick et al, 2022; Singh et al, 2022; Office of AIDS, n.d.). Emerging research from Seattle, Washington show a high interest and need for safer smoking supplies among SSP participants (Reid et al, 2023; Kingston et al, 2024). However, there remains a dearth of research on safer smoking supply distribution in other parts of the U.S., especially within the context of people transitioning from injection to smoking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distributing Safer Smoking Pipes Increases Engagement with Harm Reduction Services in the United States: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs

Chung,

Patel,

Wenger

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BackgroundIn response to the recent and growing shift from injecting opioids to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the USA are distributing safer smoking supplies. A recent federal ban prevents SSPs from using federal funding to procure safer smoking supplies. There is a lack of research on safer smoking supply distribution and harm reduction outcomes. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between distribution of safer smoking supplies by SSPs and levels of participant engagement and naloxone distribution.MethodsWe used data from the 2023 National Survey of Syringe Services Programs (NSSSP) (N=429), which measured services delivered in 2022. SSPs reported whether they distributed safer smoking pipes (yes/no). We examined the relationship between safer smoking pipe distribution and two outcomes: the number of participant encounters and naloxone doses distributed.ResultsThere were 187 SSPs (43.6%) that distributed pipes for smoking to participants. Compared to SSPs that did not distribute pipes, those that distributed pipes reported more participant encounters (aRR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.09-2.02) and naloxone dose distribution (aRR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.89-1.65), though this latter finding was not statistically significant.ConclusionsFindings showed SSPs distributing safer smoking pipes had more participant engagement and naloxone distribution. To maximize their full individual and population-level health benefits, SSPs should be supported technically, legally, and financially to implement safer smoking supply distribution for their participants.HighlightsIn 2022, 44% of syringe services programs (SSPs) distributed safer smoking pipes.More community-based organizations distributed pipes than public health or health care programs.Distribution of safer smoking pipes was associated with more participant encounters.

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Large decrease in syringe distribution following the introduction of fentanyl in King County, Washington

Glick,

Tinsley,

Wirkman

et al. 2024

Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports

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High levels of interest in access to free safer smoking equipment to reduce injection frequency among people who inject drugs in Seattle, Washington

Cited by 6 publications

References 42 publications

The utilization and delivery of safer smoking practices and services: a narrative synthesis of the literature

The utilization and delivery of safer smoking practices and services: a narrative synthesis of the literature

Distributing Safer Smoking Pipes Increases Engagement with Harm Reduction Services in the United States: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs

Large decrease in syringe distribution following the introduction of fentanyl in King County, Washington

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