Denver Syringe Access Program Needs Assessment

In fall 2023, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) conducted a community needs assessment for the City’s Syringe Access and Sharps Disposal Program to learn about current community capacities, gaps in service, and barriers affecting people who access harm reduction and overdose prevention resources in Denver.

The four primary goals for project were to:

1. Evaluate perceived ease of access to harm reduction and overdose prevention resources for people who use syringe access programs in Denver.
2. Distinguish the top barriers to accessing harm reduction and overdose prevention resources for people who use syringe access programs in Denver.
3. Summarize the role that syringe access programs play in assistance for or referrals to support services for people who use syringe access programs in Denver.
4. Assess participant knowledge and skills regarding safe sharps disposal and awareness of DDPHE-sponsored sharps disposal kiosks