“Everyone says ‘safe sex’ but no one ever says ‘safe drugs’, you know?”: Perspectives on the intersection of drug checking services, drug policy and the overdose crisis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321574
• Publication Date: 2025-04-17T17:42:06Z
• Authors: Jeff Ondocsin; Lissa Moran; Daniel Ciccarone; Simon Outram; Dan Werb; Nicole Holm; Emily A. Arnold
• Keywords: harm reduction; Thematic Analysis

Background Overdose deaths have continued to rise in the US despite heightened public attention and resources. Drug checking shows promise for integration into existing services people who use drugs (PWUD) across North America. Amidst backdrop of rising overdose emerging funds harm reduction initiatives, this manuscript explores landscape drug America perspectives on improved with a diverse set PWUD based San Francisco American experts. Methods Two separate samples stakeholders, ‘providers’ ‘clients’ were recruited. Providers participated in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews over Zoom their experiences advocating operating Canada. Clients used lived or commuted Bay Area November 2022. Interviews transcribed fully analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Results clients identified ongoing instability supply that is exacerbating risk while also identifying groups would benefit from greater access services. Both believed paradoxical impacts fentanyl crisis at core created barriers implementation expansion these services, hurting providers. Additionally, providers reflected social policy challenges improvement communities. Conclusion remains underleveraged, particularly respect most vulnerable PWUD. contended must become more responsive an ever changing dangerous