Table 2.

Factors for assessing readiness of Syringe Service Providers to implement overdose prevention center services

1) Operations: Space to conduct participant intake, supervised consumption, overdose response, and post-consumption monitoring; competency in services for people who use drugs, including overdose response;

2) Funding: Funding for OPC staff, renovations, and equipment; availability of private funding for all OPC operations as the city determined public funds could not be used for this purpose given the lack of state or federal authorization for OPC services at the time;

3) Approvals: Approval from the landlord of the building housing the site, as well as approval from the SSP’s board of directors/governing body;

4) Acceptance of legal risk and potential backlash: Willingness to accept local support and assurances in lieu of explicit state or federal authorization, as well as potential community backlash, likely in the form of negative press, protests, or community concerns about siting, directed toward the program