Supervised injection facilities and harm prevention in recreational drug users

Author

Kirsten Dorsey, University of the PacificFollow

Date of Award

4-1-2020

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Department

Physician Assistant Education

First Advisor

Mark Christiansen

Abstract

Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF) are a proposed public health intervention for improving access to medical care, decreasing comorbidities related to drug use and overdose related deaths, as well as changing drug use patterns. SIF are medically staffed clinics where drug users may bring and consume their own illicit drugs. Medical staff are available to intervene and stabilize patients in cases of overdose, but can also instruct patients on safe venous access, provide access to clean needles, give prescriptions for narcan, and provide symptomatic treatment for withdrawal symptoms. Some clinics are also beginning to offer counseling and psychiatric services as well as providing resources connecting patients to rehabilitation facilities and suboxone and methadone clinics. These clinic models have been implemented in various locations in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Recommended Citation

Dorsey, Kirsten, "Supervised injection facilities and harm prevention in recreational drug users" (2020). Physician Assistant Capstones. 54.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pa-capstones/54