Tennessee Syringe Services Programs

The impact of SSPs across Tennessee is highlighted in the annual reports that illustrate program reach, the populations served, and the scope of services provided.

2024 SSP Annual Report

2023 SSP Annual Report

2022 SSP Annual Report

2021 SSP Annual Report

2020 SSP Annual Report

• Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) provide sterile injection equipment to reduce sharing and lower the spread of bloodborne infections like HIV and hepatitis C. By decreasing syringe reuse, they also help prevent serious and costly conditions such as endocarditis. SSPs additionally expand access to testing and link individuals to appropriate treatment and care.
• A substantial body of evidence shows that SSPs are effective in reducing HIV and hepatitis C transmission, with studies suggesting roughly a 50% decline in new infections among people who use drugs—an effect that improves further when combined with substance use treatment. Their demonstrated impact has led to their inclusion in national strategies addressing HIV and viral hepatitis.
• Non-sterile injection practices increase the risk of severe infections affecting the heart, bloodstream, and skin. SSPs help minimize these harms by offering sterile supplies, safe disposal services, and access to basic healthcare resources.

• Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) function as more than sites for sterile equipment; they are important gateways to healthcare and treatment. Evidence shows that individuals who use SSPs are more likely to engage in substance use treatment and may reduce or stop drug use.
• Research spanning several decades indicates that SSPs frequently connect participants to services such as medications for opioid use disorder, residential programs, and other supports. Some studies suggest participants may be several times more likely to enter treatment and significantly more likely to decrease or stop drug use compared to those who do not use these programs.

• Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) provide participants with training and tools to recognize and respond to overdoses, helping prevent deaths. They also distribute naloxone at no cost, ensuring that people most likely to witness or experience an overdose have access to this life-saving medication. Since 2018, SSPs in Tennessee have distributed hundreds of thousands of naloxone kits statewide.
• SSPs also offer drug checking tools, such as fentanyl and xylazine test strips, which help individuals identify substances that may increase overdose risk. Research indicates that people who use these tools are more likely to adopt safer behaviors, such as carrying naloxone, avoiding using alone, or choosing not to use. State-level findings in Tennessee show many participants report positive behavior changes and feel better prepared to reduce their risk.
• In a state that loses nearly 10 people every day to overdose, SSPs play a critical role in making life-saving resources readily available within communities.

• Concerns that Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) may increase drug use or crime have been widely studied, with decades of research showing no evidence of increased drug use, criminal activity, or syringe litter associated with these programs.
• Studies also indicate that communities with SSPs have significantly fewer discarded syringes in public spaces like sidewalks and parks, reflecting their role in safely removing hazardous waste.
• In addition, SSPs contribute to public safety by reducing risks for first responders, law enforcement, and sanitation workers. Research suggests these programs can substantially lower needlestick injuries among police officers by decreasing exposure to improperly discarded syringes.

• Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) are a cost-effective public health approach that help reduce avoidable healthcare expenses. Preventing a single case of HIV, hepatitis C, or endocarditis can result in substantial cost savings, often totaling tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per case.
• Research shows that SSPs can prevent large numbers of new HIV infections, leading to significant healthcare savings. In some cities, these programs have been linked to the prevention of thousands of cases and millions of dollars saved within a single year.
• Similar benefits have been observed in rural areas. For example, efforts in Scott County, Indiana—often compared to communities in Tennessee—were associated with reductions in syringe sharing and new HIV and hepatitis C cases, resulting in considerable taxpayer savings.
• Overall, investing in SSPs supports healthier communities while helping to avoid high-cost, preventable health outcomes.

• Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) promote health and stability by meeting people where they are and linking them to services such as overdose prevention, medical care, and social support. These connections can help individuals improve their well-being, support their families, and more fully participate in the workforce and their communities.
• Many SSPs in Tennessee also employ individuals with lived experience, including former participants, creating opportunities for financial stability and personal growth while strengthening program outreach. As one participant-turned-staff member shared, involvement with an SSP supported their recovery, led to employment, and inspired them to pursue further education and help others facing similar challenges.