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The New York Academy of Medicine’s Journal of Urban Health publishes new studies that provide evidence of community acceptance of this life-saving intervention.

New York, NY (June 5, 2019) – Research released today in The Journal of Urban Health, along with an editorial from Editor-in-Chief David Vlahov, PhD, RN providing Supervised Injection Facility background, includes two new studies that provide insights from those who might be most impacted by the facilities—both people who use drugs and the local residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of a facility.

Out of Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, by lead author Ju Nyeong Park, PhD, MHS, the study entitled “Willingness to use safer consumption spaces (SCS) among opioid users at high risk of fentanyl overdose in Baltimore, Providence and Boston” found the majority of study participants (77%) expressed willingness to use a SCS.

The second study by lead author Alexis Roth of Drexel University School of Public Health entitled “Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) Acceptability Among Residents and Businesses Surrounding a Proposed Site in Philadelphia, USA” uncovered that 90% of study residential participants in a likely OPS community were in favor of a local OPS while 63% of local business owners/staff were in favor.

SIFs are one public health strategy to reduce overdose deaths, infectious disease transmission, and public drug use. They offer hygienic spaces for people to consume drugs obtained offsite using sterile equipment under medical supervision as well as helping to connect people to health services.

No matter what name they go by—Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF), Safe Consumption Spaces (SCS), Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS), among others—these potentially life-saving facilities continue to be a hope for many as a critical intervention toward stemming the opioid overdose epidemic.

“While the response to the overdose epidemic has increased, there is still much to do, and more evidence such as the studies released today is needed to inform programs and policies,” added Judith A. Salerno, MD, MS, president of The New York Academy of Medicine. “A study prepared by the Academy for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on operational feasibility informed New York City Mayor de Blasio’s plans including a recommendation to pilot four Supervised Injection Facilities. Through the Journal release today we’re providing further evidence to inform implementation of Supervised Injection Facilities.”

The papers released today are available online:

Expanding a Comprehensive Strategy for Overdose Prevention in the USA
David Vlahov

Willingness to Use Safe Consumption Spaces among Opioid Users at High Risk of Fentanyl Overdosein Baltimore, Providence, and Boston
Ju Nyeong Park & Susan G. Sherman & Saba Rouhani & Kenneth B. Morales & Michelle McKenzie & Sean T. Allen & Brandon D. L. Marshall & Traci C. Green

Overdose Prevention Site Acceptability among Residents and Businesses Surrounding a Proposed Site in Philadelphia, USA
Alexis M. Roth & Alex H. Kral & Allison Mitchell & Rohit Mukherjee & Peter Davidson & Stephen E. Lankenau

About The New York Academy of Medicine
Established in 1847, The New York Academy of Medicine is dedicated to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life. Through our original research, policy and program initiatives we provide the evidence base to address the structural and cultural barriers to good health and drive progress toward health equity. This work and our one-of-a-kind public programming are supported by our world class historical medical library and our Fellows program, a unique network of more than 2,000 experts elected by their peers from across the professions affecting health. For more information visit www.nyam.org.

About The Journal of Urban Health
The Journal of Urban Health is the premier and authoritative source of rigorous analyses to advance the health and well-being of people in cities. The Journal provides a platform for interdisciplinary exploration of the evidence base for the broader determinants of health and health inequities needed to strengthen policies, programs and governance for urban health. The Journal publishes original data, case studies, commentaries, book reviews, executive summaries of selected reports and proceedings from important global meetings and provides a forum liking scholars, practitioners, civil society and policy makers from the multiple sectors that can influence the health of urban populations.

The Journal of Urban Health editors include: Editor-in-Chief David Vlahov, PhD, RN, Yale School of Nursing; Deputy Editor-in-Chief Ana Diez-Rouz, MD, PhD, PMP, Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health; Associate Editors Waleska Caiaffa, MD, MPH, PhD, Federal University of Minas Gerais, School of Medicine, Victoria Frye, MPH, DrPH, City University of New York Medical School Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, Danielle C. Ompad, PhD, New York University College of Global Public Health; Managing Editor Kathleen O’Donnell, MBA, MPH, MA, The New York Academy of Medicine; Consulting Editor for Statistics Donald R. Hoover, PhD, MPH, Rutgers University Department of Statistics, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research.

For more information visit https://link.springer.com/journal/11524