Misdirected opposition: Evidence opposing “not in my back yard” arguments against syringe exchange programmes

Abstract Background Despite overwhelming evidence of their effectiveness, the establishment and maintenance of syringe exchange programmes (SEPs) in the US continue to draw opposition from community members, religious and political leaders, and law enforcement officials. One argument against SEPs is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International journal of drug policy 2010-09, Vol.21 (5), p.437-439
Main Authors: Williams, Chyvette T, Ouellet, Lawrence J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Chicago
Data Collection
Dissent and Disputes
Drug addicts
Drug and Narcotic Control - legislation & jurisprudence
Drug dealers
Drug users
Drugs
Effectiveness
Ethnic Groups
Ethnicity
Exchange programmes
Female
Harm reduction policy
Humans
Illicit drug markets
Illinois
Injections
Internal Medicine
Latin American people
Law Enforcement
Leaders
Male
Markets
Medical Education
Medical treatment
Needle exchange schemes
Needle-Exchange Programs
Politics
Social Environment
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
Syringe exchange programmes
Syringes
Urban Population
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Summary:Abstract Background Despite overwhelming evidence of their effectiveness, the establishment and maintenance of syringe exchange programmes (SEPs) in the US continue to draw opposition from community members, religious and political leaders, and law enforcement officials. One argument against SEPs is that they draw drug activity into the communities where they operate. Methods We use 8 years of survey data from participants attending an SEP in Chicago to explore this argument by reviewing responses ( N = 4827) to a question asking participants the main reason they spend time in the area. Results Findings show far more participants come to the area to buy drugs (60%) than to exchange needles (3.8%), and differences exist by ethnicity. More whites than blacks or Latinos reported being in the area primarily to buy drugs and use the SEP. Conclusion Re-directing opposition from SEPs to constructive ways of addressing fundamental causes of drug markets is recommended.
ISSN:0955-3959
1873-4758
DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2010.02.003