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Training Guide

Alternatives to Public Injections

All of the speakers agreed that getting the support and cooperation of the police is critical. Dr. Jauncey from the Sydney MSIC talked about providing ongoing trainings with local police and securing the support of the local police commander. In Berlin and Vancouver, government leadership routinely brought stakeholders together to discuss and better understand drug problems, learn more about drugs and harm reduction, and respond to community issues and concerns. Senator Campbell, who worked in law enforcement prior to serving as Vancouver’s mayor, stressed the importance of these regular community meetings in creating community support, or at least neutralizing opposition and making it possible for politicians to endorse the initiative. Speakers noted that police respond to data-driven presentations, and that scientific data should be emphasized.

Some discussion explored the opportunities for surveying local businesses and community groups to get a better sense of the issues they care about, where public drug use is occurring, and the impact of public injecting for various stakeholders. The speakers suggested opening up conversations with representatives from schools, business associations, faith leaders and religious organizations, the Mayor’s office, and other local groups and opinion leaders. In such discussions, speakers endorsed highlighting that SIFs are evidence-based public health interventions. The role of SIFs should be framed in the context of the community concerns around prescription opioid and heroin use and overdose, along with homelessness and public safety. Media strategies benefit from appealing to public concerns and directly addressing potential criticisms. Support for SIFs should be cultivated within a broader framework of a continuum of evidence-based services and strategies responsive to local drug problems.