In specific neighborhoods and among black and Hispanic injection drug users (IDUs), research has shown there is minimal use of pharmacies. The authors in this study developed a community-based participatory research partnership to assess whether a multilevel intervention would increase sterile syringe access through a new policy that permits nonprescription syringe sales in pharmacies.

Using South Bronx as a comparison, the researchers targeted Harlem in New York City. Information materials were disseminated at community forums, pharmacist-training programs, and counseling or outreach programs for IDUs. Researchers compared cross-sectional samples in three target populations (pre- and post-intervention): community members (attitudes and opinions), pharmacists (opinions and practices), and IDUs (risk behaviors).

Negative opinions of IDU syringe sales decreased among community members (N=1,496) and pharmacists (N=131) in Harlem, whereas the comparison community had either no change or an increase in negative opinions. While IDUs (N=728) increased pharmacy use in both communities, pharmacy use among black IDUs in Harlem increased significantly, but not in the comparison community; syringe reuse decreased significantly in Harlem, but not in the comparison community.

"Targeting the individual and the social environment through a multilevel community-based intervention reduced high-risk behavior, particularly among Black IDUs," the authors concluded.

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