What is needle exchange UK?

Needle Exchange was first introduced in England in 1985 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is a facility where injecting drug users can obtain sterile injecting equipment and also dispose of used needles in a responsible, hygienic and safe manner.

Can you get free needles UK?

Anyone who injects drugs can get free, new equipment (kit or works) from a needle and syringe service. If you live in England or Scotland, you can find a service near you using our needle and syringe service finder. Using new, sterile injecting equipment helps keep you safe from infections, wounds and abscesses.

What is the point of needle exchange programs?

Needle exchange programs—which are also known as syringe services programs or needle-syringe programs—provide new and sterile syringes to drug users. Some programs also offer medical treatment for infectious diseases, substance use disorder treatment referrals, naloxone treatment, and enrollment in health care plans.

Should needle exchange programs be supported?

Why should you support NEPs in your state or community? Because they reduce the number of contaminated needles being shared among IDUs, which is reducing the rates of hepatitis and HIV infection. NEPs also offer counseling services and health care screenings to IDUs returning needles.

Does boots do needle exchange?

How it works: Check with your local participating Boots store if you need to sign up for the scheme. Take your used needles, in a Sharps bin to the participating Boots store. The pharmacist will supply you with a new needle kit and Sharps bin.

Can I buy needles over the counter?

California law allows pharmacies to sell needles and syringes to adults age 18 and older without a prescription. There is no limit on the number of syringes an adult can buy. People may lawfully possess syringes for personal use in California.

Can I get needles from a chemist?

Pharmacies who offer a needle exchange service can give you free injecting equipment, to make sure that if you are injecting, you’re doing so safely. Depending on the area in which you live, you could get different sizes of syringes and needles, citric acid and filters.

How effective are syringe exchange programs?

Nearly 30 years of research has shown that comprehensive SSPs are safe, effective, and cost-saving, do not increase illegal drug use or crime, and play an important role in reducing the transmission of viral hepatitis, HIV and other infections.

How many countries have needle exchange programs?

90 countries
Needle-exchange programs are available in 90 countries around the world, and use different forms of distribution, ranging from mobile vans to home visits, with community pharmacies usually playing an important role in the program due to their accessibility in terms of opening hours and broad geographical distribution.

What is a needle exchange service?

Needle Exchanges are open access, low threshold services which operate during a drug treatment agencies and pharmacy’s normal opening hours. Needle exchange delivery is based on the philosophy of providing injecting drug users with sterile hypodermic needles and associated injection equipment at no cost.

Can you buy needles at Boots?

To find your nearest participating Boots store click here This will vary depending on your location. Take your used needles, in a Sharps bin to the participating Boots store. The pharmacist will supply you with a new needle kit and Sharps bin.

What is the needle and syringe exchange scheme?

Our needle and syringe exchange scheme provides injecting drug users access to sterile needles, syringes and other equipment and the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. The service promotes health protection for intravenous drug users and to reduce the risk of passing on infections to others.

What can I do with used needles and syringes?

Some pharmacies can issue basic needle and syringe packs and accept used needles and syringes. See syringe pack contents list. Agency-based needle exchanges offer a wider range of equipment in addition to further harm reduction advice, testing for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and inoculation for hepatitis A and B.

What are the benefits of needle exchanges?

Agency-based needle exchanges offer a wider range of equipment in addition to further harm reduction advice, testing for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and inoculation for hepatitis A and B. There is also the opportunity to discuss treatment options.

Is needle exchange only for injectors?

However, needle exchange is not just for people who inject drugs but also for those who use steroids or other performance or image enhancing drugs (PIEDs), Psychoactive compounds, chemicals, plants and Methamphetamine, Ketamine or other medicines.

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