Linkage to Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Syringe Services Programs and the Criminal Legal System: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Sociology

Background:

• Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment policies require evidence on the impact of syringe services programs (SSPs) and criminal legal system (CLS) interventions.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for informing effective public health strategies and policies related to SUD treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between utilization of syringe services programs and involvement with the criminal legal system and substance use disorder treatment.
• To provide evidence for policymakers regarding the role of different interventions in connecting individuals to SUD treatment.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed 835 people who use drugs in San Francisco, CA.
• Data collected included substance use, service utilization (including SSPs), and CLS involvements over a 3-month period.
• Multivariable analyses assessed associations between SSP use, CLS involvement, and SUD treatment uptake.

Main Results:

• The study included 770 participants, with 78% reporting recent SSP use and 48% reporting CLS involvement.
• Approximately 27% of participants reported recent SUD treatment.
• Recent SSP use was significantly associated with higher probability of recent SUD treatment (aPR=1.77), while CLS involvement was not (aPR=1.00).

Conclusions:

• Recent syringe services programs use is positively associated with uptake of substance use disorder treatment.
• Criminal legal system involvement does not appear to be associated with substance use disorder treatment uptake.
• SSPs are a vital link connecting people who use drugs to essential substance use disorder treatment services.