Carla Sofronski: Time is now to allow statewide syringe services programs

Drug overdose deaths and other harms related to the overdose crisis continue to ravage Pennsylvania families and communities. Pennsylvania has the fourth highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the nation. We have the ninth highest number of new HIV infections in the country. Our most vulnerable communities are seeing the greatest increases in both overdose deaths and HIV infections, with Black Pennsylvanians disproportionately impacted.

We must use every evidence-based tool available to save lives and reduce these harms. Key interventions that must be rapidly expanded include low barrier access to opioid agonist medications (methadone and buprenorphine) or opioid use disorder, expanded drug checking and implementation of state-wide syringe services programs (SSPs).