The establishment of Needle exchange |
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Needle exchange was established within a harm reduction approach to injecting drug use. Historically, the main stimulus to the development of harm reduction policies and initiatives, was the identification of the role of injecting drug use and the sharing of needles and syringes in the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Whilst harm reduction is primarily concerned with the deployment of effective interventions relating to all harms associated with substance misuse, primary prevention is also a compatible goal. This approach is grounded within public health principles.
Preventing the sharing of injecting equipment is a major public health issue. Needle exchange has, not only a vital role to play in reducing the risks associated with the transmission of blood borne viruses (BBVs) notably hepatitis B, C and HIV, but also in providing advice and information and attracting people into treatment. Other harm reduction measures such as the provision of certain items of injecting paraphernalia through needle exchanges may reduce the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
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