Strengthening Partnerships Between Syringe Services Programs and Police in the United States

Syringe services programs (SSPs) are community-based prevention interventions that provide a range of services to people who use drugs (PWUD), including access to sterile injection equipment, treatment referrals, infectious disease testing, and overdose prevention through naloxone distribution. Research shows that SSPs are effective at reducing infectious disease transmission and connecting people to treatment. SSPs are also considered safe, cost-effective, and improve public safety. Despite strong research support, police in the United States (US) have historically opposed SSPs due to the belief that these programs are "too soft" on drug use. Police officer support is crucial to the successful implementation and scaling of SSPs, but the relationship between police and SSP providers in many jurisdictions remains antagonistic. To explore this issue further, this article will: 1) provide a brief history of SSPs in the US, 2) summarize the research literature on police attitudes pertaining to SSPs, and 3) offer actionable steps for strengthening partnerships between SSPs and police. The information presented in this article is particularly timely given the recent uptick of SSPs in the US and renewed interest in harm reduction interventions for overcoming the overdose crisis. SSP providers and police may wish to consider the issues raised in this article as they attempt to foster collaborations that promote greater access to these life-saving programs.