Overdose Prevention Centers and Behavioral Health

Assessing the Impact of Overdose Prevention Centers as a Polysubstance Use and Behavioral Health Intervention in New York City

The aims of this study are: (Aim 1) Identify sources of heterogeneous impacts of opioid prevention center (OPC) use on non-fatal and fatal overdose risk among individuals with histories of polysubstance use (PSU); (Aim 2) Estimate the impact of OPC use on treated psychiatric events among clients with histories of PSU, and; (Aim 3) Assess the barriers and facilitators of integrating mental health services into existing syringe service and OPC delivery models.

Aims 1 and 2 of this study will use secondary data to identify sources of heterogeneous impacts of OPC use on fatal and nonfatal overdose risk (Aim 1) and estimate the impact of OPC use on treated psychiatric events among clients with histories of PSU (Aim 2). Aim 3 of this study will use qualitative interviews with harm reduction staff to assess barriers and facilitators of integrating mental health services into existing syringe service and OPC delivery models.

Inclusion Criteria:

Aims 1 and 2:

• are 18 years of age or older;
• engaged in syringe service program and/or overdose prevention center services in New York City in the past 30 days before the date of enrollment;
• are able to complete assessments in English or Spanish;
• are competent to give written informed consent at the time of the interview;
• are able to provide informed consent;
• self-report use of illicit opioids (e.g., heroin, fentanyl), illicit stimulants (e.g., powder cocaine, crack, methamphetamine), counterfeit prescription pills (defined as prescription pills obtained through the illicit drug market) or any injection drug use in the past 30 days, and
• are able to participate for at least 6 months following enrollment.

Aim 3

• are 18 years of age or older;
• are employed by a harm reduction program;
• are able to complete assessments in English; and
• are able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals not meeting the criteria detailed above for the respective Aims will not be eligible for participation in this study.