Documenting need for naloxone distribution in the Los Angeles County jail system.

Background: The Los Angeles County Jail system is the largest jail system in the United States, with an average daily inmate population of 17,024 in 2017. Existing literature shows the weeks following release from incarceration are associated with increased risk of overdose death among individuals who previously used opioids. One response is to train inmates in overdose prevention and response (OPR) and to provide the opioid antagonist naloxone on release.

A GIS-based methodology for improving needle exchange service delivery.

Background: A variety of legal, social and logistical factors can prevent individuals from accessing formal needle exchange programmes. One common solution to this problem is satellite exchange, which involves collaborating with people who already use an exchange to deliver needles and other supplies to those unable to access the exchange. While this approach can be very successful, one potential problem is that those most willing to deliver needles to their peers are often members of social networks that are already well connected with the needle exchange, leading to duplication of effort.