Bulletin No. 22: Supervised Injecting Facilities: What the literature tells us

Abstract

Key points

Supervised Injecting Facilities (SIFs) are a well-known, and at times controversial public policy measure to reduce the harms associated with injecting drug use A substantial amount of literature has been published on SIFs We located 134 papers and reports that provided reviews, outcome studies, economic evaluations, policy analyses and descriptions of SIF from across the globe The annotated bibliography provides the details of these papers Overall, the research indicates some positive outcomes from SIFs in relation to: Reductions in overdose Less risky injecting practices Improved access to drug treatment, health and welfare services Improvements in public amenity Reductions in crime However, the majority of evidence comes largely from two sites (Sydney and Vancouver), and effectiveness research has been methodologically limited SIFs remain politically contentious, despite the evidence base