Public opinion towards supervised injecting centres and the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre

Abstract

Objective: To describe public opinion towards supervised injecting centres (SICs) and the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) before and after the opening of the MSIC. Methods: In 2000 and 2002, telephone interviews were conducted with 515 and 540 residents and 209 and 207 businesses in Kings Cross, Australia, 7 months before and 17 months after the MSIC opened in Kings Cross. Information was obtained on respondents’ characteristics, knowledge of the MSIC, and agreement with SICs. Differences in public opinion before and after the MSIC opened were assessed using the chi-square statistical test. Results: Two-thirds of the businesses and half the residents knew the correct location of the Sydney MSIC in 2002. The level of support for establishment of a MSIC in Kings Cross (68–78%, p < 0.001) and other areas of high-drug use (71–80%, p = 0.003) increased significantly among residents between 2000 and 2002. Both groups were more likely to disagree than agree that SICs would encourage illicit drug injection. Conclusion: Public opinion towards SICs and the establishment of the MSIC generally was supportive in the short-term. Assessing whether this level of support is sustained over time will involve further research that demonstrates the benefits and effectiveness of such facilities.