Needle-exchange programme

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A needle-exchange programme is a controversial social policy, based on the philosophy of harm reduction, whereby people can obtain hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription for little or no cost. They may require the exchange of a dirty (used) needle for the clean needle, and education on drug abuse and blood-borne diseases may be provided. As the primary function of such services is to disseminate clean injecting equipment (safe disposal of used equipment is a secondary aim) the more accurate term needle and syringe programme is sometimes used.

Needle-exchange policies are aimed at injecting drug users. The idea is to prevent the reuse and sharing of contaminated needles. Needle sharing is a major cause of the spread of certain diseases, notably HIV and hepatitis C. In the United States a third of all new HIV infections can be traced to needle sharing and almost 50% of long-term addicts have hepatitis C. The provision of a needle exchange therefore provides a social benefit in reducing health costs and also provides a means to dispose of used needles in a safe manner. Countries where these programmes exist include: Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Islamic Republic of Iran [1], and the United States; however in the United States such programs may not receive federal funding.

The provision of needle-exchange programmes is opposed by certain groups^{[citation needed]} on the grounds that it represents a weakening of the "War on Drugs" and encourages drug use and associated criminality. European studies have found the provision of needles does not cause a rise in drug use.^{[citation needed]} In the US the use of federal funds for needle-exchange programmes was banned in 1988 and most states criminalise the possession of needles without a prescription, even so far as to arrest people as they leave private needle-exchange centres. Nonetheless, every state of the United States except New Jersey has a program that supports needle exchange in some form or the purchase of new needles without a prescription at pharmacies.<ref>Chris Barrish. "To stop AIDS 'breeding ground' needle exchange a must, many say", The News Journal, 10 June 2006, pp. A1, A5. Retrieved on 10 June 2006. Note: this article contains a picture of the interior of a "shooting gallery"</ref>

Critics state these programmes endorse injection drug use and don't provide encouragement to drug users to become abstinent^{[citation needed]}. However, all existing credible scientific evidence flatly refutes such notions;^{[citation needed]} the exchange programs are very effective and do not promote use. These findings have been endorsed by, among others, former United States Surgeon General Dr. Davis Satcher, former Director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Harold Varmus, and former Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala.

This Program was introduced during the Clinton Administration but was disbanded after much scrutiny and outrage from the public.

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[edit] References

Syringe Exchange. "Common Sense for Drug Policy Presents the Facts: Syringe Exchange & Safe Injection Facilities". Retrieved on May 1, 2005.
Perry, Michael (16 March 2001). Sydney Heroin Injecting Room Ready for Business (Blog). FreeRepublic.com. Retrieved on 10 June 2006. Note: the original article is attributed to the cited author; the content was posted to the blog by 'GeekDejure' and attributed to Reuters via DailyNews.Yahoo.com
Day, Carolyn, Louisa Degenhardt, Stuart Gilmour, Wayne Hall (August 2004). "Effects of reduction in heroin supply on injecting drug use: analysis of data from needle and syringe programmes". BMJ (British Medical Journal) 329 (7463): 428–429. DOI:10.1136/bmj.38201.410255.55. Retrieved on 10 June 2006.