Public injecting and the need for 'safer environment interventions' in the reduction of drug-related harm

Abstract

Background: One key structural dimension in the distribution of drug-related harm associated with injecting drug use is the injecting environment. Epidemiological evidence associates elevated blood-borne viral risk with injecting in 'public' and 'semipublic' environments. Yet the quality of evidence on public injecting and related viral risk is variable, and is lacking in many countries such as the United Kingdom. Aim: This commentary considers the micro-injecting environment as a critical dimension of risk, exploring the need for 'safer injecting environment interventions'. Methods: We draw upon published research evidence and qualitative case examples. Results: We note the limits in epidem..