Hypodermic Needle

Moreover, NEPs will provide sterile needle and syringes to avoid exchanges of used injections between drug users. Since NEPs are implemented, the number of HIV cases and other diseases are declined. In Saskatchewan, distributing needles reduces the total costs for health care because needle exchange programs reduce the transmission of HIV by one-third and accommodate a return of four thousand dollars investment in health care costs. (Thompson) Needle exchange program provide safety not only in drug addicts but also provide safety in the community. Many of needle exchange programs perform a one-for-one basis to decrease the exposure of contaminated needles in streets and playgrounds so that children and other people are away from needle sticks accident. (Franciscus)

In addition to higher rates of mortality, intravenous drug users are at increased risk of infection. Mertz, et al. (2008) stated, “Malnutrition, immunodeficiency, homelessness, and needle-sharing contribute to a high infection rate in these patients” (p. 2). Common infections range from simple cutaneous abscesses and cellulitis to more serious infections such as

An increase in drug use, specifically opiates, has overwhelmed the United States. This behavior has led to a rise in the transmission of HIV/Hepatitis C which would be otherwise preventable. The needle exchange programs in Moorhead, Milwaukee, and Scott County are working to lower the transmission rate and increase participation in treatment programs.

Several studies have shown that injection drug users lower their risk of transmitting infectious diseases when there is a needle exchange program available. There has not been a valid study of whether or not the amounts of time needles are returned to the exchange programs are harmful to communities. The Journal of Public Health, conducted surveys, evidence from needle exchange sites, jails, and institutions that needle exchange programs are effective in reducing illnesses such as HIV and AIDS (Burt & Theide, 2016). Furthermore, Reepalu, Blome, Bjork, Widell, & Bjorkman (2012), researched the same individuals for 20 years, with no breaks. Their studies concluded that injection drug use, not only heightens the risk for HIV and AID’s, there is also an increase in Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. However, there studies showed that there is not an increase rate of cancer diagnoses due to injection drug use. In a study conducted by Bonar and Rosenberg (2014), they wanted to see if self-initiated harm strategies, such as: proper needle sterilization techniques, proper disposal of needles, and cleaning of the pre injected skin, could help improve the health of those that use drugs intravenously. Their study was conducted over an eight-month period, results showed that their

Although these clients will still be abusing illegal substances, Sheon (2004) indicated that any reduction of harm is a step in the right direction, and the amount of success is measured by the client’s quality of life and well-being (as cited in Brown et al., 2005). “Harm reduction is about being respectful in somebody else’s world” (Georgina Perry, Service manager and co-author, England as cited in Cusick et al., 2010). By not respecting somebody else’s choices, the clients feel they must lie about their unhealthy lifestyles, which prevents the clients from getting assistance because they were trying to protect themselves from the real situation (Georgina Perry, Service manager and co-author, England as cited in Cusick et al., 2010). A way to reduce the harm from illegal substance abuse is clean needle exchange, and teaching clients how to properly inject themselves (Brown et al., 2005). The needle exchange is a program where clients exchange their used needles for clean ones, which helps reduce the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS (Brown et al., 2005). With continuation of these programs the harm from abusing illegal substances is reduced and the spread of life threatening diseases, such as HIV,

Imagine for a moment being able to walk down the street without seeing used needles or other drug equipment. Although it will not completely eradicate the problem, safe injection sites will allow users to have a safe and clean environment that they do not have access to now; not just to inject their drugs, but also to dispose of their used syringes. When given a 3-year trial at the first facility in Canada, it was found that fatal overdoses within 500 metres of the facility were reduced by 35 percent, and a 9 percent decrease in the rest of the city (Stueck, 2011). Thus proving the effectiveness of injection facilities not only in Vancouver, but nationwide. Giving access to support can significantly increase the quality of life for intravenous drug users. By providing sterile equipment the

Sharing of needles used by injection drug users contributes heavily to the spread of blood-borne diseases, accounting for almost one third of new HIV infections outside sub-Saharan Africa (Ball, 2007). Various studies support that blood-borne disease transmission and contraction are strongly linked to injection drug use. A study conducted by Semaan et al. that analyzed data of 10,301 persons who inject drugs in revealed that 32% had shared syringes during the 12 months prior (Semaan et al., 2011). A second study involving 309 injection drug users found HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C prevalence of 42.4%, 80.9%, and 74.1%, respectively. The study also revealed that 63.8% of the participants engaged in indirect sharing practices within six months prior.

syringes, which in turn increases the transmission risk of deadly to human body pathogens through the needle sharing practice.

All major cities should have some sort of needle exchange program. Needle exchange programs exchange dirty needles and syringes for clean ones and provide additional services. The exchange programs reduce disease, drug related deaths, and help people get clean. If you find needle exchange programs helpful, write an email or letter to your local government or state government to try and get one started in your

One reason we should fund Needle exchange programs (NEP’s), is because NEP’s open addicts to the idea of rehabilitation. Clean needles help people get connected to counselling, disease tests, and many

Most prefer to stay close to more relevant issues, but the historical context is still important. Even articles that address two highly different causes or concerns all seem to have a common theme: lack of education. According to the article, "Needle Exchange Programs for the Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Epidemiology and Policy," published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, when governments limit funding for programs like needle exchange, or research into illegal drugs, it has no effect on stopping illegal substance abuse. This is touched on by the words, "The major event that emerges in the historic narrative of the development of needle exchange programs is the ban … on federal funds … the administrative ban on research to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of such programs. " (Vlahov, 2001). While the most pressing concern is the growing opioid crisis, the issue has root somewhere. As such, implementing a harsh no-tolerance policy on drugs could further threaten scientific information, and create an environment of ignorance that does nothing more than promote illicit drug use. Another source, an article called “Relationship Between Nonmedical Prescription-Opioid Use and Heroin Use,” published by The New England Journal of Medicine, explores something that may only exacerbate the lack of education, “Pain has also been identified as a poorly addressed clinical and

Beilenson and his team lobbed the rest of the year, focusing their discussions on each county’s needs and views to win more votes. With the statistics and the discussion that focused on each county, Beilenson was able to win enough votes and win the governor’s approval to get the law passed and establish the needle exchange program in Baltimore (Beilenson, 67). In my opinion I agree that the needle exchange program should be established. I think that the program is great to offer, needles, HIV tests, everything they need to use drugs safely not only helps the drug addicts but the people who are around them. I think that these programs have helped decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS and will continue to do so in the future. I disagree that the program makes it easier for addicts to pursue their illegal habits because; they are not supplying the drugs, but rather helping decrease the spread of disease. Most of the addicts don’t want to quit using drugs, the ones that do have the help with this program, but the people who don’t will use dirty used needles which then will increase the spread of

The sharing of dirty needles lead to forever effects in many people throughout Licking County. Many drug users such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine addicts struggle to get clean needles. The rate of heroin drug users is increasing daily. Due to the lack of supply, they are sharing dirty needles which is spreading diseases and also leading to deaths. Licking County has a high rate of HIV and AIDS in the society. According to ______, “Licking County The deaths of drug users have increased by over 50% in the past year and those who are addicted do not have access to all of the supplies that they need” (__). The access to these things are limited by lack of resources, financial issues, and many other aspects. In order to help stop the sharing

This leads to an increase in criminal activity such as neglect of familial duties, robberies to fund their dependency, and violence to defend their habits. The ‘drugee’ becomes a nuisance to society. Some become homeless and exhibit poor health habits such as malnutrition and tooth decay. Other negative effects include the transference of diseases because of needle sharing. Though drug use is a personal choice, the effects on the rest of society are undeniable. The best intentions are formulated on a personal level, but this is overcastted by its negative effects. This argument, however, is a bit one-sided because the reason for using and dependency varies between users.

Traditional injection uses a syringe to insert liquid into body. The purpose of medical injection is to pierce the material into the sufficient depth of skin. This kind of injection needs to use large number of syringe needles, and according to [62],clients reported that an average of 8.7% of injections employed shared syringe needles. Data from the Coalition for safe Community Needle Disposal showed that in the year of 2011, 13.5 million people in the United States produced 7.8 billion used sharps(needles, syringes, etc.) outside the traditional healthcare, and 1 million to 1.5 million of needles were used for illegal drug injections. Since blood borne infections, like HIV, HBV, and HCV, can be commonly spread by sharing intravenous syringes, huge number of substandard and illegal use of needles compares to share rate of 8.7%, the potential spread of these infections cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, on the other side, the application of micro needle can to large extent avoid this from its source.