Injection drug users' access to a supervised injection facility in Vancouver, Canada: The influence of operating policies and local drug culture

Will Small, Jean Shoveller, David Moore, Mark Tyndall, Evan Wood, Thomas Kerr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

North America's first supervised injection facility (SIF) was established in Vancouver, Canada, in 2003. Although evaluation research has documented reductions in risk behavior among SIF users, there has been limited examination of the influence of operational features on injection drug users' access to these facilities. We conducted an ethnographic study that included observational research within the SIF, 50 in-depth individual interviews with SIF users, and analysis of the regulatory frameworks governing the SIF. The government-granted exemption allowing the facility to operate legally imposes key operating regulations, as well as a cap on capacity, which results in significant wait times to enter the injecting room. Regulations that prohibit practices that are common in the local drug culture also negatively affect SIF utilization. Restructuring policies that shape the operation of the SIF could enhance access to the facility and permit SIF services to better accommodate local drug use practices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)743-756
Number of pages14
JournalQualitative Health Research
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Small, W., Shoveller, J., Moore, D., Tyndall, M., Wood, E., & Kerr, T. (2011). Injection drug users' access to a supervised injection facility in Vancouver, Canada: The influence of operating policies and local drug culture. Qualitative Health Research, 21(6), 743-756. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732311400919