Summary
To learn more about what the social scientific research literature can tell us about the impacts of supervised injection sites (SIS, also known as ‘safer injection sites’ and ‘drug consumption rooms’) on local community safety and wellbeing, the author conducted a systematic review of the recent published research on SISs and their relationships to issues of crime, disorder and non-user public health (2000-2018). After initial searches were conducted, thirteen studies were selected and reviewed, the results of which were then synthesized to answer the research questions posed. Overall findings indicate there are no appreciable increases in crime and disorder following the implementation of a SIS, nor are there increased risks to the health of the local community (in the form of increased unsafely disposed needles and syringes).