Between December 2008 and January 2009, 109 low-threshold facilities were asked to complete a questionnaire about the capsule programmes. Two focus groups were conducted, one with professionals involved in distribution and one with peer outreach workers who were interviewed on their experience of using the capsules.
A total of 50 facilities (46 % ) responded to the questionnaire; 16 (32 % ) distributed the capsules regularly and 19 (38 % ) were planning to introduce this practice. The main target groups were injecting users of methamphetamine whose veins had been damaged, and methamphetamine users wishing to reduce injecting. The advantages of capsules, as perceived by service staff and peer outreach workers, were their easy use and the satisfactory effect of the oral application; health risks related to the oral use of methamphetamine were considered drawbacks.
Capsule distribution is a promising harm reduction approach for injectors of methamphetamine or other stimulants; nonetheless its benefits and limitations should be further analysed in an in-depth longitudinal study.