Season 2 Episode 1: an interview with Marie Jauffret-Roustide, PhD on the efficacy of drug consumption rooms for reducing risky injection practices

Season 2 Episode 1: an interview with Marie Jauffret-Roustide, PhD on the efficacy of drug consumption rooms for reducing risky injection practices

Ever wondered how drug consumption rooms can impact public health and safety? In this episode of Behind the Evidence, hosts Honora L. Englander, MD, and Marc R. Larochelle, MD, sit down with Marie Jauffret-Roustide, PhD, to discuss her groundbreaking study on the efficacy of drug consumption rooms in reducing risky injection practices among people who inject drugs.

Marie, a seasoned sociologist and public health researcher, shares the journey of her research, which began back in 2010 when France faced alarmingly high rates of HCV among drug users. Despite political resistance, Marie and her team managed to implement and evaluate drug consumption rooms in Paris and Strasbourg through the COSINUS cohort study. The results? A significant reduction in HIV and HCV risk practices among users, showing that these facilities can indeed make a difference.

Marie also touches on the broader impact of drug consumption rooms on public safety and the importance of involving people with lived experience in research. If you're curious about how science can influence drug policies and improve lives, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Marie's insights and the robust design behind her study that may pave the way for more inclusive harm reduction strategies.