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Needle and Syringe Programs in the Community: Responding to Multiple and Diverse Needs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

Clive Aspin
Clive Aspin*
Affiliation:
REPIDU (Resource and Education Program for Injecting Drug Users), Central Sydney Area Health Service
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Abstract

Needle and syringe programs (NSP) are an integral component of Australia's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and as such, have been in place since the early days of the epidemic. Because of their early implementation, they have played a key role in helping to stem the spread of HIV among people who inject drugs. Also, they have been instrumental in ensuring that clients have had access to appropriate resources and education. However, these programs have often operated in the face of considerable resistance from a range of stakeholders and in particular, local communities. This article provides an insider's perspective on the operation of a large Sydney NSP and describes how the Program caters to the expressed needs of all members of the community, while continuing to provide an effective and responsive health service to people who inject drugs.

Keywords

needle and syringeinjecting drug usersHCVHIVharm reduction
Type
Articles
Information
South Pacific Journal of Psychology , Volume 13: Special Issue: Substance Use in Northern Australia , 2001 , pp. 47 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea and Massey University, New Zealand/Aotearoa 2001

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