[HARMRED] participant data: police monitoring
Sean Barry, VOCAL-NY
sean at vocal-ny.org
Mon Aug 8 19:11:15 CDT 2011
I'm catching up on email!
SEPs in NYC are tracking data around police encounters as part of an effort to ensure full implementation of the new syringe access law approved last year. Attached and copied below is a survey that SEPs administer to participants for one week each month. Apologies if this has already gone out over the list.
SYRINGES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SURVEY
For one week of each month, we’re asking everyone who comes to the exchange a few questions to make sure police are following the new law about syringes. The new law says you can’t be charged with a crime for carrying syringes, whether the syringes are new or are used and have residue. The survey is anonymous and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. (Please Check Here _______if Person Chooses NOT to Participate)
1. Have you had any problems or encounters with police since your last transaction?................................... Y N
If yes, continue on to the next question. If no, you’re done.
2. During this encounter, did the officer(s) search you or have you empty your pockets? ................................ Y N
If yes, continue on to the next question. If no, you’re done.
3. Did you have syringes on you?.......................................................................................................................Y N
If yes, continue on to the next question. If no, you’re done.
4. Were your syringes new or used?...........................................................New Used Some of each
5. Did you show the officer(s) your SEP card or ESAP brochure?....................................................................Y N
6. Did the officer(s) take your syringes from you or throw them away?.............................................................Y N
7. Were you charged with possession of syringes or drug paraphernalia?........................................................Y N
8. Where did this encounter with the police take place? ___________________________________________
--
Sean Barry
VOCAL-NY (formerly the NYC AIDS Housing Network - NYCAHN)
646-373-3344 (cell)
sean at vocal-ny.org
website: www.VOCAL-NY.org
facebook: www.facebook.com/VOCALNY
twitter: http://twitter.com/VOCALNewYork
donate online: http://tinyurl.com/nycahndonate
On Jul 11, 2011, at 4:22 PM, Leo Beletsky wrote:
> hi all,
>
> Just to chime in to the discussion of SEP-based datacollection: my shtick is that SEPs can and should be proactive in monitoring client experiences with police. The recent survey we conducted on this issue suggests that many of the US SEPs document police problems, but we don't know how, and how systematically they do so. Together with several programs (including Brandywine in Wilmington, BCHD in Baltimore, and HHCLA in LA as well as ), we've developed a monitoring system, consisting of some version of the following three questions:
>
> 1. Since you were last here, how many times have you been stopped by police in the neighborhood around the SEP site?
>
> 2. Since you were last here, how many times have you been arrested or cited for possession of syringes or other works? (Only syringe-related charges, not drug possession charges)
>
> 3. Since you were last here, how many times have your syringes or other works been confiscated without an arrest or citation?
>
> (For first time clients, the "since you were last here" can be replaced with "in the last 3 months...")
>
> Clients are prompted to answer these questions every time they present to the exchange, but it may not be necessary to do on ongoing basis. Depending on the SEP needs and the kind of police interference seen in the area, the program may decide to ask these questions only periodically (for example, for a week every two months), rather than on a continuing basis.
>
> Other kinds of data that can be collected in this monitoring system include similar questions about physical abuse of clients by police, etc. Clients who do report recent problems with police, can be encouraged to fill out an "incident report" that collects details of the encounter, such as location, circumstances, and people involved. Programs should also systematically document staff harassment or staff arrest.
>
> For many programs, police interference is an important limiting factor in terms of their reach, coverage, and community support. Having hard data about this interference can be a powerful tool for program planning and conducting advocacy. If we use a public health lens to look at the issue of police interference and harassment of clients, reliable surveillance is key to effective prevention and interventions. A report from our work in Wilmington (found here) provides a comprehensive overview of this idea and gives some ideas on how this info can be used in improving SEP functioning.
>
> Happy to discuss and to share whatever resources we've been able to compile on this,
>
> Happy summer!
> - Leo
>
>
> 2011/7/11 <harmred-request at drcnet.org>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: participant data (Hilary McQuie)
> 2. Re: participant data (Daniel Raymond)
>
>
> ---------- Пересылаемое сообщение ----------
> From: "Hilary McQuie" <mcquie at harmreduction.org>
> To: "sue purchase" <sue.purchase at gmail.com>, "Harm Reduction Forum" <harmred at drcnet.org>
> Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:22:45 -0700
> Subject: Re: [HARMRED] participant data
> HI Sue and all - there are a number of different program forms in this part of our syringe access program manual: http://www.harmreduction.org/article.php?id=1054
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: sue purchase
> To: Harm Reduction Forum
> Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 4:49 PM
> Subject: [HARMRED] participant data
>
> Hello!
>
> I am curious what syringe exchange programs are
> collecting for demographic data with participants?
>
> I am resistant to collecting any but I also recognize the need.
>
> Any thoughts or examples of intake forms are welcome.
>
> peace sue
>
> sue purchase
>
> "disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed"
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> HARMRED mailing list
> HARMRED at drcnet.org
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>
>
>
> ---------- Пересылаемое сообщение ----------
> From: Daniel Raymond <raymond at harmreduction.org>
> To: Hilary McQuie <mcquie at harmreduction.org>
> Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:28:59 -0400
> Subject: Re: [HARMRED] participant data
> Hilary beat me to it, but along the lines of Robert's advice, here's another link to a best practices document [PDF] which includes a discussion of data collection: http://www.harmreduction.org/downloads/Best%20Practices%20for%20Syringe%20Exchange%20Programs%20consensus%20statement.pdf
>
> Here's the most relevant section (pp. 12-3):
>
> III. PROGRAM DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION
>
> A. Variables for SEP Data Collection
>
> The data collection burden on both SEPs and IDUs should be minimized to capture only
> essential information regarding the services provided/received and oriented strictly to SEP
> program evaluation. Moreover, data collection should never interfere with IDU participation or
> SEP operation. Below we enumerate and describe the types of data that SEPs should collect for
> the purpose of program evaluation.
>
> 1. Transaction-level. SEPs should collect only essential data concerning each
> interaction with participants. SEPs and/or their respective jurisdictions may elect to ask
> IDUs for additional, optional individual-level information at each SEP transaction. Such
> additional, optional individual-level data collection may occur either at periodic intervals
> or on a continuous basis, and should position the SEP to understand better its participant
> population and the manner in which they utilize services. The decision for whether and
> how to collect this information should be made locally and explicitly justified.
>
> i. Essential information at each SEP transaction
> o Number of syringes distributed
> o Number of syringes received
>
> ii. Optional individual-level information at each SEP transaction
> o Gender, age, race/ethnicity, current zip code/geographic area residing
> o Last visit to SEP
> o Number of people for whom IDU is obtaining syringes (i.e., numeric indicator
> regarding secondary syringe exchange)
> o Site/service location of transaction
> o Date, time
>
> 2. Program-level. SEPs usually provide a range of supplies, services, referrals, and
> even structured education and training, beyond the distribution of new and sterile
> syringes. Aggregate data capturing these activities can be compiled at the program level,
> and reported at regular intervals.
>
> o Number of new and sterile syringes distributed
> o Number of used/contaminated syringes received
> o Number of other supplies delivered (e.g., alcohol pads/wipes, condoms, etc.)
> (where relevant)
> o Characteristics of other services provided (e.g., vaccination, infectious disease
> testing, DOT, wound care, overdose prevention training and response, etc.)
> (where relevant)
> o Number of referrals to drug treatment, medical care, mental health services, etc.
> (where relevant)
> o Number of participants in peer education and training sessions promoting
> secondary SEP, including related needs such as injection hygiene, safe syringe
> disposal, etc.
>
> B. Evaluating SEPs
>
> SEP evaluation should be reasonable and rigorous in its approach, design, and
> methodology, and may be utilized to assess the effectiveness of SEPs at the local/jurisdictional
> level. Evaluation should focus on assessing the volume, adequacy, and public health impact of
> services.
>
> Program evaluation should be periodic and involve randomly drawn samples of IDUs
> rather than requiring the continuous involvement of all IDUs who access SEP services.
> Evaluation should include survey administration and, where appropriate, testing for exposure to
> blood-borne infection. Surveys should be brief and targeted to capture information on injecting
> and other health risk behaviors, health problems, social-contextual characteristics, and other
> relevant information to guide program development and improvement.
>
> Daniel Raymond
> Policy Director
> Harm Reduction Coalition
> 22 W. 27th Street, 5th Floor
> New York, NY 10001
> (212) 213-6376 x29
> Fax: (212) 213-6582
> raymond at harmreduction.org
> www.harmreduction.org
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Hilary McQuie <mcquie at harmreduction.org> wrote:
> HI Sue and all - there are a number of different program forms in this part of our syringe access program manual: http://www.harmreduction.org/article.php?id=1054
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: sue purchase
> To: Harm Reduction Forum
> Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 4:49 PM
> Subject: [HARMRED] participant data
>
> Hello!
>
> I am curious what syringe exchange programs are
> collecting for demographic data with participants?
>
> I am resistant to collecting any but I also recognize the need.
>
> Any thoughts or examples of intake forms are welcome.
>
> peace sue
>
> sue purchase
>
> "disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed"
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> HARMRED mailing list
> HARMRED at drcnet.org
> http://drcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/harmred
>
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> HARMRED mailing list
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>
>
>
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