Needle Exchange Programs

Needle Exchange Programs

Obtaining sterile needles from a pharmacy requires a prescription. Needle exchange programs allow drug users to exchange used needles for sterile ones, no questions asked. This is the best way to ensure the use of clean needles and the proper disposal of used ones. Many researchers and AIDS activists believe that easy access to clean needles reduces the rate of HIV transmission. Other people believe that needle exchange programs encourage illicit drug use and increase the spread of HIV.

Research has shown that needle exchange programs reduce the spread of HIV without increasing the use of illegal injection drugs among participants or increasing the number of injection-drug users. Many national and regional organizations recommend needle exchange programs based on the weight of this evidence. These organizations include the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Medical Association (AMA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States Preventative Services Task Force, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and most state and local departments of health.

In addition, needle exchange programs often provide life-saving services to high risk drug users, who may be otherwise hard to reach. Services may include free latex condoms, HIV counseling and testing, tuberculin skin testing, and primary health care including care for HIV, hepatitis C, and other illnesses associated with injection drug use.

In the United States, over 50% of all new AIDS diagnoses among African Americans and Latinos are related to injection drug use. African Americans and Latinos who inject drugs are nearly 5 times more likely to develop AIDS than Caucasians who inject drugs. Some experts believe that this discrepancy is due to the fact that Caucasians generally have easier access to sterile needles.

The North American Syringe Exchange Network provides information about regional needle exchange programs.