Methadone Clinics

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,

Not only is the user reducing their risks of overdose with heroin and methadone, they are also reducing their use of other substances. This allows the user to become more of a functioning member of society, due to their decreased activities with other substances.

Although there are many pros, there are a few cons. Many people who oppose the program believe that it accepts IV drug use and is funded by taxpayers’ dollars, which can be used for something else to better the community. Many residents feel insecure and vulnerable due to the programs. Giving out clean needles does nothing to discourage drug use and is completely government funded.

Harm reduction can be defined as an approach that aims to reduce the consequences of high risk behaviours such as injection drug use on the individual and on society as a whole. Harm reduction programs provide injection drug users with access to a clean injection environment, sterile injections, drug-preparation equipment and safe disposal of contaminated material at the time of injection. Staff members in harm reduction facilities provide health teaching, anonymous HIV testing, information on addiction treatment, condoms and assist in connecting clients to social and health services (Semaan et al., 2011; Ball, 2007). Although, the benefits of harm reduction are evident through reduction of accidental drug overdose and prevention of

Imagine living in a world where the government supplied drug addicts with free drugs. This is what is happening with the needle exchange. Needle Exchange Programs allow injecting drug users to trade in dirty needles for clean needles at little to no cost. Using dirty needles, or needles that have already been used, is one of the main causes of HIV and other blood borne illnesses. There have been many studies that show this correlation. There are many problems that make Needle Exchange programs ineffective.

Those individuals that contradicted the Needle Exchange program can refer to that this program can prompt the advancement of medications by giving needles to them. Some rules ought not to be yielded only to have this arrangement. The individual decision to go on the wrong way by taking medications in the public eye should realize that it is unlawful. That person that picks this way all separate way to make drugs ought to endure the results individually, without being loads on alternate citizens. This sorts of standards are improper. For example, Atlantic City judges managed in 2005 against Needle Exchanges on the premise that: "Atlantic City and its representatives are not absolved from the (criminal) code arrangements precluding the ownership, utilize, and circulation of medications and medication gear basically on the grounds that they received a needle-trade program for advantageous reasons." (Forum). As should be apparent, there are many levels headed discussion spinning the benefits of introducing Needle Exchange Program. Advantages incorporate the previously mentioned explanations behind diminishing HIV and making nature more secure. Be that as it may, the NEP can send a wrong message advising individuals to utilize needles drugs. These considerations show up at a youthful age. This is because of an absence of information about society. The needle trade projects can send a zero-resilience message to the adolescents and organization. In any case, this could be uncommon. A portion of the issues is not tended to in this program. For instance, sharing the blend of water for heroin. This little issues can have a massive effect on the general public. At last, the needle trade program lessens the quantity of impact from HIV/AIDs display. In my viewpoint, needle trade programs are to a high degree profitable to the overall population. Each application isn't flawless; however, its principal objective is to enable the

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

The group as a whole believes that harm reduction policy promotes public health. Those who are contrary to the police believe programs like the needle exchange program and methadone clinics promote the abuse of drugs. The harm reduction approach intends to treat and educate addicts in hopes they will stop the abuse and decrease the rate of disease. Not all drug addicts are criminals, and those who are not criminals may actually have a “true” addiction or illness. Instead of criminally charging those individuals, the policy is trying to connect with them to get the actual help they need. For years now, the United States has attempted to ban such drug use with no success. The government should be aware that it would cost them less to promote programs, such as the needle exchange program, verses paying to treat addicts who have contracted HIV from drug use. As long as drugs are being distributed on the streets, there will always be individuals who will abuse them.

On the other hand, people who are against of needle exchange programs claim that the needle exchange programs don’t save lives but instead it can cause drug-related deaths. Even though NEPs help reduce the transmission of HIV and other diseases, they still encourage people to use more drugs, which could lead to death. Addicts are prone to death, perhaps not from HIV, but from overdosed, collapsed veins, poisoned dope, or the violence and criminality that go along with the illicit drug trade. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than 33,000 people who died from drug overdose in 2005. As a result, drug overdose become the second

In conclusion, I agree with harm reduction and in the sense that it is a good idea in regards to needle exchange programs. In my personal thoughts, the needle exchange programs offer addicts clean needles but doesn't encourage them to use drugs, just a safer way to inject the drugs and provide a safer society. People who use drugs are going to continue their habits whether they think it is safe or not. Harm reduction is developmentally an approach to prevention of behavior in

Are drug users people too? The health and safety of all people is crucial. It’s important keeping drug dependent people free of HIV this prevents its spread to their partners and their children. In order to provide necessary care, free sterilized needles should be given to drug users. The public should be advised of positive effects of needle exchange programs and warned of the risks of not supplying adequate syringes. The provocative idea of giving drug addicts clean needles to help slow the spread of HIV/AIDS was first broached in 1985. This concept has been under research ever since. Harm reduction approaches for those who inject drugs, including the distribution of clean needles and syringes, are proven interventions to prevent transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses, and are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other leading public health agencies.

In considering our current issue in society, people wonder if heroin clinics are a good or bad idea towards solving the problem, the increased use of heroin. Heroin is a psychoactive drug that is synthesized from morphine and is known to be highly addictive. Not only does heroin produce pleasurable effects for the user, but it can be potentially dangerous due to the user being unaware of the drugs purity and with tolerance developing rapidly, it poses an increased chance of overdosing. Based on European and Canadian models, advocates argue that the clinics will help provide addicts with a safe place to use, prevent the spread of disease and overdose deaths, and increase the odds that a drug user will return to a productive life. I could not agree anymore with this alternative way of treating this epidemic of increased heroin abuse. I believe heroin clinics will not only help

Needle exchange programs are considered in the public’s eye as controversial topic. The major public fears involve that these needle exchange programs will propagate the drug problem even more. Another fear is the spread of diseases such as HIV that will spread more rapidly than before among users. These two issues unify where the use of intravenous drugs not only creates disease risk from injection with tainted needles, but also increases risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases through promiscuous sex, possibly related to drug use. However, with the local health departments allowed to offer needle exchange programs give access to drug users to prevent contaminating the major population. "A

There are many ways in which people who are addicted to intravenous drugs are perceived by our society. People sometimes believe the addicted person is to blame for their circumstance and substance dependence and some feel serious drug addicts are a “lost cause” due to a lack of values or flawed character. “Persons who struggle with addictions often are depicted as criminals or prostitutes, weak, lazy and morally corrupt” (Bartlett, R., Brown, L., Shattell, M., Wright, T., Lewallen, L. (2013). These stereotypes paint people with addiction negatively; a percentage of people who live with serious addiction are capable of recovery with the right attitude, support and healthcare. Street level healthcare services such as; safe injection sites, provide accessable resources at street level for people to make the choice to live healthier lifestyles. Govement funding and support is needed to make these projects possible to improve the health of Canadians. Safe injection sites are proven to be positive contributions to communities, save lives, reduce harm and open doors towards recovery for people from the grip of addiction.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that syringe exchange programs can be effective in linking hard-to-reach individuals to health services, and that the programs do not serve to encourage drug use or initiate.” (Needle exchange, 2009) Kidorf states that the community based programs increased motivation to participate in substance abuse programs and treatments.