title: Syringe disposal among injection drug users in Harlem and the Bronx during the New York State Expanded Syringe Access Demonstration Program.
abstract: Effective January 1, 2001, New York State enacted the Expanded Syringe Access Demonstration Program (ESAP), allowing syringes to be sold in pharmacies without a prescription or dispensed through doctors, hospitals, and clinics to adults. A concern in the assessment of ESAP is its effects on syringe disposal practices. Syringe use data regarding the last injection episode were combined from three projects (N = 1,030) recruiting injection drug users. Disposal of syringes by methods known to be safe decreased significantly over time after the implementation of ESAP. Syringes obtained either from syringe exchange programs or ESAP sources were more likely to be disposed of safely than syringes obtained from other sources. Efforts to enlist pharmacists and others involved in ESAP implementation to encourage safe disposal are needed. More detailed information on disposal practices is needed to capture the continuum from least to most safe practices and variation within individuals.
authors.affiliation: National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI), New York, New York 10010, USA. cleland@ndri. org
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deren
authors.forename: Crystal M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blaney
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tortu
authors.forename: Don C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Des Jarlais
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlahov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D009519:New York City; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013594:Syringes