Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T08:39:58.894Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bastos, F., Stimson, G. V., Telles, P., & Barcellos, C. (1998). Cities Responding to HIV-1 Epidemics among Injecting Drug Users. In Stimson, G., Des Jarlais, D. C. & Hall, A. (Eds.) Drug Injection and HIV Infection (pp. 183–200). London: UCL Press.Google Scholar
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. (2000). National Hepatitis C Strategy 1999-2000 to 2003-2004. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.Google Scholar
Haber, P., Pritchard-Jones, J., & Dixon, J. (2000). The Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) in Central Sydney. A report presented to the Hepatitis Advisory Committee, Central Sydney Area Health Service.Google Scholar
Des Jarlais, D. C., Hagan, H., Friedman, S. R... Friedman, P., Goldberg, D., Frischer, M., Green, S., Tunving, K., Ljungberg, B., Wodak, A., Ross, M., Purchase, D., Millson, P., & Myers, T. (1998). Preventing Epidemics of HIV-1 among Injecting Drug Users. In Stimson, G., Jarlais, D. C. Des & Hall, A. (Eds.) Drug Injection and HIV Infection (pp. 183–200). London: UCL Press.Google ScholarPubMed
Mesquita, F., Telles, P.. Bastos, F., & Stimson, G. V. (1998). City Epidemics and Contexts. In Stimson, G., Des Jarlais, D. C. and Hall, A. (Eds.) Drug Injection and HIV Infection, (pp. 243–276). London: UCL Press.Google Scholar
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research. (2001). Annual Surveillance Report. HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infection in Australia. Sydney: NCHECR.Google Scholar
NSW Health Department. (1994). NSW Needle and Syringe Exchange. Policy and Procedures Manual. Sydney; NSW Health.Google Scholar