When you picture the people at most risk of severe death and disease from Covid-19, you probably picture someone old enough to be your grandparent, and not a person who suffers from a drug addiction.
About 185 safe syringe sites operate in 38 states, where drug users trade used needles for clean ones. Proponents say this simple service reduces the spread of infectious diseases like HIV while opening the door for counselling among those seeking to quit.
“I think that meeting people where they’re at helps build trust,” said Camille Cioffi, a research associate at the University of Oregon’s Prevention Science Institute.