APhA Pain Institute 2020: Syringe Service Programs: Boon or Bane for Communities (pre-registration required)

Description

Lines are drawn in the syringe service debate: on one side is the fear of enabling addiction; on the other side is the desire to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. While most states permit the nonprescription sale of syringes, some require pharmacists to document the customer’s name, address, and intended use of the needles. There’s a legitimate worry these requirements will deter people from seeking care and community pharmacies from selling syringes. So, who’s right? And what can pharmacists do if they work in a more restrictive state? Don’t miss this timely session to hear the experts lay out their best arguments.

Pre-registration is required; registration is open at http://elearning.pharmacist.com/products/5792/apha-pain-institute-2020-healing-body-and-mind-mental-health-comorbidities-in-substance-use-disorder.

Pharmacist Learning Objectives

At the completion of this knowledge-based activity, participants will be able to:

Summarize the data on the impact of syringe service programs (SSPs) on harm reduction.
Discuss the role of pharmacy-based nonprescription syringe sales in reducing risk behaviors among people who inject drugs.
Identify barriers to implementing SSPs in community pharmacies and strategies to overcome those barriers.
Demonstrate skills for pharmacists to navigate difficult conversations with patients about safer syringe use and harm reduction.