The impact of legalizing syringe exchange programs on arrests among injection drug users in California.

摘要: Legislation passed in 2000 allowed syringe exchange programs (SEPs) California to operate legally if local jurisdictions declare a HIV public health emergency. Nonetheless, even locales where SEPs are legal, the possession of drug paraphernalia, including syringes, remained illegal. The objective this paper is examine association between legal status and individual arrest or citation for paraphernalia among injection users (IDUs) from 2001 2003. Using data three annual cross-sections (2001-03) IDUs attending 24 16 counties (N = 1,578), we found that overall, 14% our sample reported 6 months before interview. Further analysis 17% SEP (defined at county level) compared 10% an illegal (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, adjusted odds ratio was 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2, 2.3] SEPs, after controlling race/ethnicity, age, homelessness, income, amphetamines, years use, frequency number needles received last visit. with may be more visible police, hence, subject paraphernalia. These findings suggest legislative efforts decriminalize operation without concurrent decriminalization result higher clients, potentially deleterious implications well-being IDUs. More comprehensive approaches removing barriers accessing sterile syringes needed goals reducing new HIV/HCV infections obtained.