Resources
6 Results (showing 1 - 6)
Results sorted by posted date (newest first)
Results sorted by posted date (newest first)
Posted 3/22/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening inflammation of the heart’s chambers and valves that can be difficult and expensive to treat. Like hepatitis and HIV, infective endocarditis can be caused by using needles that are not sterile. This infographic highlights basic information about infective endocarditis alongside an anatomical image of a human heart.
Posted 3/10/2021 (updated 4/5/2024)
There are safe ways to dispose of syringes you find on the ground. Sharing injection drug equipment can transmit infections, but there is little risk to someone who is accidentally poked or scratched by a discarded syringe.
Below you'll find information on how to pick them up, where to drop them off, and ways to get involved in cleaning up your neighborhood.
Posted 8/24/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
Syringe service programs (SSPs), which provide access to sterile syringes and other injection equipment and their safe disposal after use,* represent a highly successful human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention. SSPs are associated with a 58% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection among persons who inject drugs. In addition, SSPs have led efforts to prevent opioid overdose deaths by integrating evidence-based opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs. OEND programs train laypersons to respond during overdose events and provide access to naloxone and directions for drug delivery. SSPs are ideal places for OEND because they provide culturally relevant services designed to reach persons at high risk for experiencing or observing an opioid overdose.
Posted 8/18/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
This guide was created for harm reduction medical staff and volunteers as a resource about the types of wounds common with injection drug use and also to increase knowledge about treatment modalities for this population. Skin and soft-tissue infections are the most common cause of hospitalization among people who inject drugs.
Posted 6/12/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Regional Health Administrators presented a webinar series highlighting resources, policies, and assistance for developing and expanding SSPs in diverse settings and in different communities across the country, the three webinars were held in 2019.
Posted 11/27/2019 (updated 3/28/2024)
This guide is aimed at people who inject drugs to help reduce some of the problems caused by injecting.