Evaluation of effective interventions for drug users and overdose prevention

• International

Summary

This report provides a review of the international evidence on safe, effective and cost effective interventions aimed at injecting drug users; primary stimulant users and interventions aimed at reducing overdose and drug related deaths.

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to provide a succinct review of the international evidence behind key health care interventions targeted at injecting drug users. The report will focus on interventions with the potential to reduce:

• blood borne viral transmission
• drug overdose
• bacterial infections
• tissue damage due to injections
• medical complications related to drug use

The report will not examine the evidence base behind substitution treatment or psychosocial interventions for opiate substitution treatment. These two central health interventions targeting injecting drug users have been the subject of thorough review elsewhere (Gossop et al, 2001; Gossop, 2006; Campbell et al; 2007).