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.

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HIV and People Who Inject Drugs

See the latest data on HIV among people who inject drugs, and learn what CDC is doing to prevent HIV infections among this population.

HIV and Injection Drug Use

Learn about the risk of getting or transmitting HIV through injection drug use, find out how to reduce the risk, and get additional resources.

Syringe Service Programs

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.

Syringe Service Program Determination of Need

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.

Vital Signs: HIV and Injection Drug Use

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.

Additional Resources

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