What are Syringe Services Programs (SSPs)?

Syringe Services Programs, often called SSPs, are community-based prevention programs. 

SSPs provide a range of health services, and they provide a lifeline to those struggling 

with substance abuse. Comprehensive SSPs offer patients vaccinations and testing for 

diseases, referrals to treatment for substance use disorder and other diseases (such as 

viral hepatitis and HIV), and sterile injection equipment to prevent the transmission of 

infectious diseases.

Scientists, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), have studied SSPs for more than 30 years and found 

that comprehensive SSPs benefit communities.

SSPs save lives by lowering 

the likelihood of deaths from 

overdoses. 

Providing testing, counseling, and sterile 

injection supplies helps prevent outbreaks 

of other diseases. For example, SSPs are 

associated with a 50% decline in the risk

of HIV transmission.

Users of SSPs were three 

times more likely to stop 

injecting drugs.

Law enforcement benefits from 

reduced risk of needlesticks, no 

increase in crime, and the ability to 

save lives by preventing overdoses. 

When two similar cities were 

compared, the one with an SSP had 

86% fewer syringes in places like 

parks and sidewalks.

CS300156-D March 22, 2019
What can a Syringe Services Program (SSP) do?

SSPs adapt to local needs by providing comprehensive support services, such as ways to get treatment, medicines to prevent overdoses, and tools to prevent HIV and viral hepatitis. Many support 

services may be operated in partnership with federal government funding.

Vaccines for diseases like Hepatitis A and B

Testing for diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C

Counseling on treatment and prevention of HIV and 

Hepatitis B and C, such as antiretroviral therapy and 

pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) 

Referral to substance use treatment, medical care, 

mental health services, and other support services

Access to and safe 

disposal of sterile syringes 

and injection equipment

More than 30 years’ worth of research demonstrates that SSPs protect the public’s health. 

They save lives, help those experiencing a substance use disorder get the support needed to 

regain a healthy life, and reduce the impact of drug use on the community.

To learn more about Syringe Services Programs (SSPs), visit www.cdc.gov/PWID or start with these resources:

• “A comparison of syringe disposal practices among injection drug users in a city with versus a city without needle and syringe programs” available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358593/

• “Department of Health and Human Services Implementation Guidance to Support Certain Components of Syringe Services Programs” available at www.hiv.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-ssp-guidance.pdf

• “HIV outbreak brings massive cost” available at www.wthr.com/article/inside-epidemic-hiv-outbreak-brings-massive-cost

• “Naloxone distribution and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for injection drug users to prevent heroin overdose death: a pilot intervention study” available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15872192

• “Occupational needlestick injuries in a metropolitan police force” available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(99)00137-3

• “Reduced injection frequency and increased entry and retention in drug treatment associated with needle-exchange participation in Seattle drug injectors” available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472(00)00104-5

• “Trends in crime and the introduction of a needle exchange program” available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1446444/

• “Are needle and syringe programmes associated with a reduction in HIV transmission among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis” available at 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24374889 

• “Trends in crime and the introduction of a needle exchange program” available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1446444/