Harris, M, Scott, J, Hope, V, Busza, J, Sweeney, S, Preston, A, Southwell, M, Eastwood, N, Vuckovic, C, McGaff, C, Yoon, I, Wilkins, L, Ram, S, Lord, C, Bonnet, P, Furlong, P, Simpson, N, Slater, H and Platt, L (2024) Safe inhalation pipe provision (SIPP): protocol for a mixed-method evaluation of an intervention to improve health outcomes and service engagement among people who use crack cocaine in England. Harm Reduction Journal, 21 (1). pp. 1-19. ISSN 1477-7517

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Abstract

Background Over 180,000 people use crack cocaine in England, yet provision of smoking equipment to support safer crack use is prohibited under UK law. Pipes used for crack cocaine smoking are often homemade and/or in short supply, leading to pipe sharing and injuries from use of unsafe materials. This increases risk of viral infection and respiratory harm among a marginalised underserved population. International evaluations suggest crack pipe supply leads to sustained reductions in pipe sharing and use of homemade equipment; increased health risk awareness; improved service access; reduction in injecting and crack-related health problems. In this paper, we introduce the protocol for the NIHR-funded SIPP (Safe inhalation pipe provision) project and discuss implications for impact. Methods The SIPP study will develop, implement and evaluate a crack smoking equipment and training intervention to be distributed through peer networks and specialist drug services in England. Study components comprise: (1) peer-network capacity building and co-production; (2) a pre- and post-intervention survey at intervention and nonequivalent control sites; (3) a mixed-method process evaluation; and (4) an economic evaluation. Participant eligibility criteria are use of crack within the past 28 days, with a survey sample of~740 for each impact evaluation survey pointand~40 for qualitative process evaluation interviews. Our primary outcome measure is pipe sharing within the past 28 days, with secondary outcomes pertaining to use of homemade pipes, service engagement, injecting practice and acute health harms. Anticipated impact SIPP aims to reduce crack use risk practices and associated health harms; including through increasing crack harm reduction awareness among service providers and peers. Implementation has only been possible with local police approvals. Our goal is to generate an evidence base to inform review

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1117 Public Health and Health Services; Substance Abuse
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Public Health Institute
Publisher:	Biomed Central
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2024 12:34
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2024 12:45
DOI or ID number:	10.1186/s12954-024-00938-7
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/22430

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