Get Doing Syringe Exchange: Organizational Transformation And ... - Hunter Cuny

Opposition to NEPs/SSPs Opposing arguments to NEPs/SSPs include that they may lead to increased poor disposal of used needles, they condone and even encourage drug use, and that by making it safer, more people will be inclined to start injecting drugs because of access to these types of programs.

Syringe exchange programs provide free sterile syringes and collect used syringes from injection-drug users to reduce transmission of bloodborne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus.

ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, participants in syringe exchange programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment programs. They're 3.5 times more likely to stop injecting drugs. Research also shows that more than 90 percent of syringes distributed are returned.

Possible Negative Outcomes Increase in Program Participant Drug Use. ... Increase in New Initiates to Injection Drug Use. ... Increased Drug Use in the Community. ... Increase in Number of Contaminated Needles Unsafely Discarded.

Results: After reviewing the scientific literature the authors conclude that needle and syringe exchange programs are an effective way of reducing risky behaviors related to injecting drug use, hence they are effective in reducing the spread of HIV among injecting drug users and the population.

Needle Exchange programs are a controversial topic. It can be a tough ethical and moral decision for health care providers and there will always be many debates on both sides of the argument.

One year into the pandemic, SSPs reported continuing to adapt approaches to syringe distribution in response to COVID-19, and identified multiple barriers that hindered their ability to engage program participants in services, including 1) isolation and decreased connectivity with participants, 2) resource restrictions ...

Diseases that are spread this way include: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. People who inject drugs can spread viruses and diseases by sharing needles or drug preparation equipment that has been contaminated with infected blood.