Needle Exchange Programs Help Reduce Disease

Needle exchange programs have been put in place to help with the safe disposal of needles among heroin addicts and other intravenous drug users. With the spread HIV Aids and Hepatitis C at an alarming rate the needle exchange programs helps reduce the sharing of needles by providing sterile and safe to use needles to heroin addicts and other intravenous users who otherwise have no means or access to new and clean needles.

Diseases like HIV Aids and Hepatitis C which are blood borne diseases are very common among injection drug users. These users are at a very high risk of contracting these diseases with 34 % of all HIV Aids being attributed to intravenous drug use and 75% of all new cases being attributed. Zero tolerance drug policies which make needles a crime to posses have resulted in the reuse and sharing of syringes making the problem even worse.

Around 36 states participate in the 185 needle exchange programs in the county allowing drug users to exchange and receive needles that are new and clean. It has been shown that states that have allowed for needle exchange programs and decriminalized possessing syringes have shown significant decreases in the sharing of needles. Some states have as well allowed for the sale of syringes at pharmacies without the need for a prescription.

Needle exchange programs have shown to actually help reduce these blood borne diseases in addition to being able to help heroin or other intravenous drug users find and get help for their drug problems as well. Interestingly, the few states that do not participate in needle exchange programs and still have not decriminalized possession of needles show some of the nations highest cases of blood borne diseases. The federal Government, who funds more HIV programs and prevention programs than any other entity, refuses to fund needle exchange programs despite the fact that it is known to help reduce blood borne diseases like HIV Aids and Hepatitis C.

Aside from needle exchange programs and sales of syringes through pharmacies there are also doctors who can prescribe syringes which can also help in the reduction or spread of disease. Physician prescription of syringes also can provide a vehicle to drug treatment facilities and referrals for other health care services for the heroin or drug addict. Again though, there are few states that allow for the dispensing of sterile syringes through a prescription by a physician.