Single-use syringes may promote sharing by drug misusers
Switching to single-use hypodermic syringes, or difficult-to-reuse
(DTR) syringes, intended to reduce syringe and needle sharing among drug
addicts is counter-productive and may actually lead to greater problems,
according to campaigning groups. In effect, the transmission of hepatitis
C and HIV would increase, contrary to the intention.
A recent meeting of the National Needle Exchange
Forum (NNEF) heard that Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority
had switched to the new syringes in May, but that their introduction to
the drug abuse service was a disaster. Within days of their introduction
a number of problems were identified by users of the service including
poor quality needles, bendy plungers and difficulties drawing up. The
result was that clients refused to take the new syringes, preferring to
go without until supplies of familiar insulin syringes were arranged.
The NNEF, the UK Harm Reduction Alliance and Action
on Hepatitis C have all advised needle exchanges not to introduce non-reuseable
or DTR syringes and to liaise with their syringe suppliers in order to
prevent health authorities switching their block purchasing contracts
to these syringes without making special provision for needle exchanges.
Back to Top
|
