New study shows needle exchange programs reduce drug litter

A recent study from San Francisco investigating factors associated with levels of drug litter, including discarded used syringes, found that needle exchange programs may play a key role in reducing the amount of used syringes on city streets.

Scientists from San Francisco State University interviewed over 600 injection drug users and inspected over 1,000 random city blocks in San Franciso to determine what factors influenced how drug users disposed of their used syringes. The researchers found that those drug users that reported acquiring needles from a needle exchange program were less likely to dispose of used syringes improperly.

These findings have strong implications for cities struggling with illicit drug problems such as unsafe drug-related litter.  Specifically, these findings suggest that needle exchange programs, along with being effective in reducing needle sharing among drug users, may also play a role in cutting down on levels of discarded used syringes.

Read findings from the study here.