Effects of an Intensive Street-Level Police Intervention on Syringe Exchange Program Use in Philadelphia, Pa

Law enforcement activity has been found to influence health risk behavior of injection drug users. Repeated measurements and mixed effects models were used to analyze the effects of an intensive long-term street-level police action to reduce open drug sales on syringe exchange program use. Utilization data for 9 months before and after the beginning of the intervention were analyzed. Use fell across all categories and time periods studied, with significant declines in use among total participants, male participants, and Black participants. Declines in use among Black and male participants were much more pronounced than decreases among White and female participants