Mitigating the heroin crisis in Baltimore, MD, USA: a cost-benefit analysis of a hypothetical supervised injection facility

Harm Reduction Journal
Amos IrwinSusan G Sherman

Abstract

In Baltimore, MD, as in many cities throughout the USA, overdose rates are on the rise due to both the increase of prescription opioid abuse and that of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in the drug market. Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) are a widely implemented public health intervention throughout the world, with 97 existing in 11 countries worldwide. Research has documented the public health, social, and economic benefits of SIFs, yet none exist in the USA. The purpose of this study is to model the health and financial costs and benefits of a hypothetical SIF in Baltimore. We estimate the benefits by utilizing local health data and data on the impact of existing SIFs in models for six outcomes: prevented human immunodeficiency virus transmission, Hepatitis C virus transmission, skin and soft-tissue infection, overdose mortality, and overdose-related medical care and increased medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence. We predict that for an annual cost of $1.8 million, a single SIF would generate $7.8 million in savings, preventing 3.7 HIV infections, 21 Hepatitis C infections, 374 days in the hospital for skin and soft-tissue infection, 5.9 overdose deaths, 108 overdose-related ambulance calls, 78 emerg...Continue Reading

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Nov 15, 2018·Public Health Reports·Brendan SalonerSusan G Sherman
Nov 30, 2018·American Journal of Public Health·David Goodman-MezaDan Werb
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Sep 22, 2020·Journal of Public Health Management and Practice : JPHMP·Ashley Brooks-RussellAngela E Lee-Winn
Jun 3, 2021·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Rachel Carmen CeasarRicky N Bluthenthal
Jul 2, 2020·Children and Youth Services Review·Asari OffiongMorgan Prioleau

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