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Injection Drug Use
Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment (works) to inject drugs puts people at high risk for getting or transmitting HIV and other infections. People who inject drugs account for about 1 in 10 HIV diagnoses in the United States. Syringe services programs (SSPs) can play a role in preventing HIV and other health problems among PWID, by providing access to sterile syringes. These programs can also provide comprehensive services such as help with stopping substance misuse; testing and linkage to treatment for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C; education on what to do for an overdose; and other prevention services
See the latest data on HIV among people who inject drugs, and learn what CDC is doing to prevent HIV infections among this population.
This issue of CDC’s Vital Signs presents data about HIV diagnoses and risk behaviors such as syringe sharing among people who inject drugs. It also describes how syringe services programs can help reduce HIV among people who inject drugs.
In many jurisdictions, people who inject drugs can get sterile needles and syringes through syringe services programs. Find out more about these programs and how federal funds can be used to support certain parts of SSPs in some communities.
This page lists jurisdictions that have consulted CDC and demonstrated a need for using federal funds to support syringe services programs, with the exception that funds cannot be used to buy needles or syringes.
Resources for Consumers
- HIV and Injecting Drugs 101 Consumer Info Sheet (English and Spanish)
- How to Clean Your Syringes Consumer Info Sheet
- Pocket Guide to Cleaning Syringes and Folding Instructions
- Hepatitis C and Injection Drug Use
Resources for Providers and Public Health Partners
- HIV Among People Who Inject Drugs
- HIV and Injection Drug Use: Syringe Services Programs for HIV Prevention (Vital Signs)
- CDC Overdose Prevention
- Managing HIV and Hepatitis C Outbreaks Among People Who Inject Drugs: A Guide for State and Local Health Departments
- amfAR Opioid & Health Indicators Database
- NACCHO’s Tool for Community Response Planning for Outbreaks of Hepatitis and HIV Among People Who Inject Drugs
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
General Resources
- CDC-INFO 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
- CDC HIV Website
- CDC Let’s Stop HIV Together Campaigns
- CDC HIV Risk Reduction Tool(BETA)
- Find Testing Sites Near You