Employment among users of a medically supervised safer injection facility

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2008;34(5):519-25. doi: 10.1080/00952990802146308.

Abstract

A supervised injection facility (SIF), where individuals can inject drugs under medical supervision, opened in Vancouver in 2003. The scientific evaluation of the SIF has demonstrated positive public health-related outcomes. However, the influence of supervised injection facilities on individual efforts to reintegrate into mainstream society has not been studied. We examined for a possible relationship between use of the SIF and employment among a cohort of 1090 SIF users using generalized estimating equations (GEE). In a multivariate analysis of factors associated with employment, using the SIF for >or= 25% of injections (versus > 25% of injections) was not statistically significant (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.88-1.27). These findings suggest that the SIF is not having an adverse impact on efforts to seek employment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • British Columbia
  • Cohort Studies
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / rehabilitation*