The syringe residue analysis study produces objective, laboratory-verified data on the prevalence of substances used by injection and on changes over time. The study also examines whether multiple substances are used with the same syringe and enables the identification of entirely new novel psychoactive substances.
The study is conducted as part of the European ESCAPE network, of which Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) was a founding member in 2017. The network has since expanded, and the approach continues to be developed within an international research group in cooperation with the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), which funds the study and publishes Europe-wide results. The study design enables comparisons between European cities.
Goals
Information on injecting drug use has previously been based mainly on survey studies. However, people who inject drugs are difficult to reach in a representative manner, and there is not always precise information about the substances used.
The objective of the study is to produce objective, laboratory-verified data on substances used by injection, their possible combinations, impurities, and new psychoactive substances.
Up-to-date information on the drug situation and its development is essential for regional, national and international decision-making and for the prevention of drug-related harms. The data produced by the study support the targeting of social and health services and enable rapid responses to dangerous changes in the substances being used.
Implementation
The study material consists of used syringes and needles collected over a two-week period simultaneously in all participating countries. In each country, syringes and needles returned to collection points are randomly selected for laboratory analysis.
In Finland, the study is coordinated and implemented by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), and laboratory analyses are conducted at THL’s forensic toxicology laboratory. In Finland, collections have been conducted annually at health counselling centres located in Helsinki. During the two-week collection period, approximately 150 syringes are randomly selected for analysis, with at least 30 collected from each site.
The return rate of injecting equipment to health counselling centres is very high (estimated at approximately 95 %), which means that the study provides a representative picture of substances used by injection and their long-term trends.
Funding
European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
Partners
Health counselling centres and supported housing units (City of Helsinki and Sininauha Oy), European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
Contact details
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