How supervised consumption sites can save lives and improve local communities

At the 10th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users, held in Glasgow, Scotland, international policymakers gathered to discuss the global overdose crisis and the role that supervised consumption sites can play in helping end these needless and preventable deaths. This brief summarises the day’s discussions and acts as a starting point for policymakers looking to learn more about supervised consumption sites and how they can help improve the health and well-being of vulnerable constituents.

People who inject drugs experience significant premature morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive combination of harm reduction interventions is required to mitigate risks associated with drug use, including reducing blood-borne virus (BBV) transmission, mortality risk, and improving a wide range of other health outcomes.

The availability of supervised consumption sites globally is woefully inadequate, and even in countries that offer this life- saving intervention, this is restricted to a minority of people who inject drugs (largely those living in urban settings).