A GIS Mapping Exercise to Assess the Need for Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) Services and Overdose Prevention Activities in Tayside.

People who inject drugs (PWIDs) do so at significant risk to themselves due to transmission of blood borne viruses (BBV), injecting injuries, bacterial infections and drug related deaths.

NHS Tayside has a responsibility for improving the health of the population. PWIDs represent a particularly vulnerable group who experience significant health inequalities as well as stigmatisation and discriminatory attitudes.

Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) services contribute to a reduction in BBV transmission through the provision of free sterile equipment for each injection. IEP services also provide advice on good injecting technique to avoid injecting injuries and bacterial infections. Crucially they can also provide "take home naloxone". Intramuscular injection of naloxone is a first aid emergency response for potentially fatal opiate overdoses and provides more time for emergency services to attend. Supplies of "take home naloxone" are made, along with training on overdose awareness, to those individuals at risk of opioid overdose in order to reduce the risk of fatality.

IEP services contribute to a reduction in drug related deaths by engaging with those thought to be most at risk, either through poly substance use or those who are not engaged with other services

The aim of this study is to review the current provision of IEP services provided across Tayside and consider to what extent they are contributing to keeping this vulnerable population safe. The study will look at the coverage provided by the current service and map this against the known harms e.g. drugs litter finds, incidences of non-fatal overdoses and drug related deaths. This mapping process will then allow recommendations to be made in a strategic way to advise future service delivery plans to ensure that services are delivered that are reachable to the communities that need these valuable services.