The Queensland Health Primary Needle And Syringe Policy

As the number of intravenous drug users continues to rise, so does the risk of dangerous and potentially fatal complications that are associated with illicit drug use. In this population, death rates are higher due to overdose, AIDs-related mortality, and other blood-borne viruses (Mathers et al., 2013). Mortality rates remain high even though precautions have been taken to reduce them. According to Lavender & McCarron (2013), “Mortality in injecting drug users is up to 22 times higher than for the age-adjusted population, despite increased provision of needle and syringe programs, reduced needle and syringe sharing, and higher uptake of hepatitis B vaccination” (p. 511).

The aim of this policy is to reduce the number of people using illegal drugs and other harmful drugs and increase

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

The government responds to The Francis Report in 2014 accepting all but 9 of the 290 recommendations issued in their initial response named ‘The Hard Truths’. They introduced a new legislation with an immidiete effect implimenting the toughest inspection regime covering all care services. Chief nursing officer Jane Cummings and Director of Nursing Viv Bennett introduced a 3 year strategy and vision that aims to promote values known as the NHS’s 6C’s. These 6 areas of action focuses on improving care for all patients which connects to the ‘WE CARE’ campaign. In brief, both state that competence; to have the ability to sucessfully enhance and improve lives. Compassion; to see through someone elses eyes and have an intent to act to change things for the better. Commitment; to be fully devoted to provide quailty care at the highest standard. Care; ensuring that every person counts whether it’s the service user, their families or the wider community. Communication; being open and honest with a mutual trust whilst working with others to take care of the patients physical and mental health as a whole. Courage; to have the ability to speak up if unethical practice is discovered whilst keeping in mind the respect and dignity of the patient. The government responds to The Francis Report in 2014 accepting

Sites such as ‘Insight’ were originally opened because of the growing awareness surrounding the high rates of diseases intravenous drug use is known to cause, such as HIV and the Hepatitis C virus. With these sites leveraged as a harm reduction strategy, the purpose is to provide education about safe drug injection practices and the ways to prevent avoidable diseases and health threatening outcomes. SIS provides clean needles which reduce the risk of reusing needles

Prior to the passage of this legislation, many people convicted with possession of drugs were given significantly long sentences under state laws; often this included individuals receiving life sentences for what is now known as simple possess (Courtwright, 2004). In this regard the Controlled substance act could be viewed as a liberalization of drugs policy by breaking up all drugs into schedules with differencing penalties. This does not mean that the legislation is not without

Needle exchange programs have long been a controversial subject with both the general population and government lawmakers. The primary objective for needle exchange programs (NEPs) is to prevent the spread of blood-borne disease and is very successful in doing so. But, issues of morality due to the perception of drug enablement and the stigma of intravenous drug users (IDUs) and their potential effects on the decline of society are continually used as arguments for those against NEPs. It has been proven through many studies that these programs not only reduce harms associated with intravenous drug use, they are also cost effective and reduce the circulation of used syringes to the general population. Beyond epidemiological efforts, NEPs also provide a de-stigmatized center for gathering and offers health services such as HIV testing, counselling and referrals to treatment for drug addiction. This paper aims to highlight the efficacy of needle exchange programs, safe injection sites and address the social and political issues associated with them.

Vancouver is a city with multiple “claims to fame”. Known to be one of the worlds most livable, expensive, and beautiful cities, it is also well known for its large population of drug users, and the detrimental effects intravenous drugs have had on the Downtown East Side community. One of the major concerns connected to intravenous drug use is the large proportion of users who report a history of needle sharing, greatly increasing their chances of contracting HIV, Hepatitis B or C, and other injection related infections (Strike, Myers & Millson, 2004). With an estimated 15000 intravenous drug users (IDUs) currently residing in Vancouver, and up to an estimated 125000 nationally, the Canadian government has taken a proactive “Harm Reduction” stance allowing the implementation of controversial Needle Exchange Programs (NEPs) throughout most of the country (Weekes & Cumberland). Canada’s first NEP opened in Toronto in 1987, with Vancouver following suit in 1989. While it was still considered an offence to possess drugs under the Canadian Criminal Code, section S.462.2 stated that it was “not an offence […] to distribute needles to prevent the spread of HIV infection” (Weekes & Cumberland). The goal of these early NEPs was to supply IDUs with injection equipment to eliminate the necessity for needle sharing between users, operating on a strict “one for one” model. For each used needle returned, it would be replaced with a new, sterile

The NHS is a main component of safeguarding as well as the local commissioning group which is a core partner of the SAB. “The NHS has particular duties for patients less able to protect themselves from harm, neglect or abuse” (Skills or Care, n.d). Moreover, the contractors and commissioners have a responsibility in making certain that there is invitation to tender, service specification, service level agreement as well as service contracts promote dignity in care as well as comply with the local multi-agency safeguarding policies and also the procedures. Health Providers All those who are working in the field of Health have a professional responsibility to protect vulnerable adults for example Mr. K as well as their participation in multi-agency support to social services is important if the interests of these persons are to be safeguarded. However, it is mandatory that all health care professionals need to be aware as well as understand the current guidance from their professional bodies in respect of protecting vulnerable adults as well as sharing of information and also the limits of confidentiality.

The primary goal of needle exchange programs, which increase the availability of sterile syringes, are an important means of reducing the transmission of HIV infection and other blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B and C among injection drug users and their often unsuspecting sexual partners and children in which is the most rapidly growing population of people with HIV. These programs operate on a one-for-one basis, so they reduce the presence of infected needles in playgrounds, streets, and trash receptacles, which protects children, sanitation workers, and others from accidental needle sticks (Needle

Ever heard of the saying, “Clean Needles Save Lives” that is exactly what the Needle Exchange Program is. It is a program which is designed to give a clean sterile needle to a drug user, so it can prevent or protect the Injection Drug User (IDU) from having disease such as HIV and Hepatitis B. Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) provides free sterile syringes and collect used syringes from injection-drug users (IDUs) to reduce transmission of blood borne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The idea of needle exchange program occurred in the Congress back in 1997. This program was created to prevent the IDU's from being infected by a dirty needle.

Alcohol and other drug use are associated with a wide array of other public health problems. It is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the United States, whereas fetal exposures to maternal illegal drug consumption are a serious and a growing concern. The use of injection to administer illegal drug has become a significant factor in the spread of Aids while alcohol use increases the likelihood of unsafe sexual practices, thus contributing to the spread of HIV/Aids. Much more, it has an enormous impact on the criminal justice system in the country-America. According to Keck, ‘‘a survey suggests that about 35% of those committing crimes are mostly under the influence of the concepts-(alcohol and drug use), (2003). Having said that,

There was a great push for a non-judgmental approach that would ‘reduce physical, social and psychological risks to individuals who use drugs and to society as a whole’ (McCann & Temenos, 2015, p. 217). Never the less, this was a highly contested set of policy formulation across all levels of governance.

In March 2004, an 18-month study was developed to calculate the number of overdose events that occurred at Insite that could have been resulted to drug related complications, including death (Kerr et al., 2006a). Within the 18 months of the study, there was a total of 336 overdose events, a rate of 133 overdose events per 10000 injections at Insite (Kerr et al., 2006a). “None of the overdose events occurring at the [safe injection facility] resulted in a fatality” (Kerr et al., 2006a, p4). Insite has trained health professionals who are able to recognize the indicators of injection drug related overdose, such as ace turning pale, blue, or flushed, or not being able to respond to pain stimulus (Kerr et al., 2006a). Due to prior knowledge, the health professionals are able to take the appropriate measures to stabilize the injection drug user, which will decrease the injection drug related overdose fatality rate (Kerr et al., 2006a). Blood borne diseases, such as HVC and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are deadly diseases that are commonly found in injection drug users (REFERENCE). Injection drug users are high at risk for these deadly diseases due to the fact that many injection drug users tend to share paraphernalia, like syringes, which can also transmit blood to and from the injection drug user (Kerr et al., 2005a), (Kerr et al., 2005b). Another study was conducted in March 2004 for a 7-month period to examine if the safe injection site reduced syringe sharing amongst injection drug users who use Insite (Kerr et al., 2005b). 582 individuals were analyzed for HIV, and were asked to state whether or not they had been sharing syringes in the past (Kerr et al., 2005b). The results of the

The outbreaks documented by the CDC and SIPC have affirmed that patients must be taught how to protect themselves from adverse medical errors such as unsafe injections. In this technological society, channels that utilize the media with educational videos and radio PSAs can reach a wide audience. Investigators in one of the larges outbreaks in Las Vegas, NV discovered that the unpardonable lapses in fundamental patient safety were the result of unsafe efforts to cut costs. Although the ‘One & Only’ campaign is designed to help empower patients to ask the right questions of their doctors, more studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this strategy. Another goal of the campaign has been to educate healthcare providers with an easy to recall slogan of “one needle, one syringe, and only one time for every single injection” (CDC, 2015). More evaluations of the efficacy of this campaigns in other states will be needed before the campaign goes