needle and syringe programmes in the uk jamie bridge, nnef chair bridgejamie@hotmail
DESCRIPTION
NEEDLE AND SYRINGE PROGRAMMES IN THE UK Jamie Bridge, NNEF Chair [email protected]. First UK NSPs in 1980s ACMD (1988): “The spread of HIV is a greater danger to individual and public health than drug misuse” Wealth of international evidence: Impacts on HIV, risk behaviour - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
www.nnef.org.uk
• First UK NSPs in 1980s
• ACMD (1988): “The spread of HIV is a greater danger to individual and public health than drug misuse”
• Wealth of international evidence:
– Impacts on HIV, risk behaviour
– Increases drug treatment uptake
– Cost effective
– “No convincing evidence” of unintended consequences
More than just needles…
www.nnef.org.uk
NTA Needle Exchange Audit
•Average DAT in 2006 =
– 2.4 specialist NSPs
– 11 pharmacy-based NSPs
•“Mixed economy”:
~50% DATs did not provide BBV testing
~ 40% did not provide immunisations
~33% did not provide safer injecting advice
www.nnef.org.uk
Issues to Discuss
•Impacts of budget cuts on NSP / HR
•Impacts of localisation
•Over-reliance on pharmacy exchanges
•Complacency among decision makers
•Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs
•Mephedrone injecting
•Reduced staff training and specialism