Ok, since we're talking about ppl injecting on the subway

We just surveyed 101 persons in NYC who inject opioids

Reality is that public injection is common

However, there are things we could do as a society to make this situation better for everyone...

Nearly half were injecting in public regularly

Injecting at home also common, but nearly 80% reported unstable housing

Injecting alone at home also risk factor for overdose -

Most overdose deaths in NYC occur in at home (not in a public place)
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/alcohol-and-drug-use-prevent-overdose.page

Ppl reported injecting in bathrooms and parks - some wrote in places like cars or church

It's really striking how many episodes of prior treatment that ppl reported -

On avg nearly 15 treatment episodes, meaning outpatient, methadone, bupe, inpatient, detox, AA or NA

Yet, as a clinician, what can I offer them? More of the same...

We need new options.

Instead of getting frustrated at public injection, here's what we could do differently:

Safer consumptions sites in NYC could avert 130 overdose deaths & save $7 million
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/public/supervised-injection-report.pdf

Heroin assisted treatment works when other options haven't https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2693.html