Note: Number of syringes given to injectors of steroids
Injectors of steroids can also be referred to as injectors of ‘performance and image enhancing drugs’ (PIEDs).

Calculating coverage for PIED injectors is a separate task that is not addressed by this calculator. The supply of injecting equipment to users of PIED users can prevent sharing amongst this group, who also are at risk of blood borne virus transmission. But it is an area of need and prevention that is less well understood.

For this coverage calculator, the reason the number of syringes given to PIED users is needed is because the equipment supplied to PIEDs users is unlikely to then be given to injectors of heroin and cocaine (either before or after use). The supply of injecting equipment to this group therefore has little or no impact on blood borne virus transmission amongst illicit drug users.

There is anecdotal evidence that the amount of injecting equipment supplied to PIEDs users has risen significantly in recent years. And so the issue of who has received injecting equipment is an important one to consider when calculating coverage of injecting equipment to those illicit drug injectors most at risk from blood borne viruses.