Implementing syringe services programs within the Veterans Health Administration: facility experiences and next steps

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Harm Reduction
• Veterans Health

Background:

• Syringe services programs (SSPs) offer critical, evidence-based harm reduction services to individuals who use illicit drugs.
• Historically, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) lacked integrated SSPs due to legal ambiguities and implementation barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the successful implementation of integrated syringe services programs within three Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities.
• To highlight the collaborative efforts, successes, and challenges encountered in establishing these programs.

Main Methods:

• Three VA facilities established integrated SSPs, addressing legal considerations and healthcare system barriers.
• Programs were led by clinical pharmacist practitioners in collaboration with facility staff.

Main Results:

• Since 2017, approximately 400 Veterans have been engaged across the three pilot programs.
• Significant distribution of harm reduction supplies, including syringes, fentanyl test strips, wound care kits, and safer sex kits.

Conclusions:

• The successful implementation of these pilot programs demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of integrated SSPs within the VHA.
• These initiatives provide a model for nationwide expansion of SSPs to improve Veteran health and safety.