The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Dear Colleague letter to announce the release of a suite of materials that highlight the safety and effectiveness of syringe services programs (SSPs) to combat the infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis. The resources include:
- A summary outlining the safety and effectiveness of SSPs,
- A fact sheet outlining the ways SSPs can help prevent transmission of blood-borne infections, help stop substance use, and support public safety,
- An infographic that describes SSPs (what they are and what they do), for health departments and community partners to share, and
- FAQs about SSPs.
As you know, SSPs are effective community interventions playing a critical role in the prevention and treatment of infections and overdose deaths. CDC hopes these materials will support efforts by national, state and local organizations to reduce the toll of the infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis.
