Needle Exchange Program - Essay Example

Among many other health associations, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences supports this position and has stated "For injection drug users who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, the once-only use of sterile needles and syringes remains the safest, most effective approach for limited HIV transmission" (Abdala et al, 1999). Hundreds of studies have been conducted across the U.S. examining the effectiveness of needle exchange programs (NEP). These studies have been summarized over the past decade into eight reports through the auspices of the federal government and all each of these eight reports have reached the same conclusion.

NEPs do, in fact, decrease the spread of newly contracted HIV cases while, contrary to the rhetoric of those that oppose these programs, do not lead to increased drug use among IDUs or to other sections of society that did not previously use drugs via injection. "Ensuring access to sterile syringes does not increase the number of persons who inject drugs or the number of drug injections. It does reduce the sharing and reuse of syringes" (Gleghorn, Wright-De Aguero & Flynn, 1993). The evidence is overwhelming that NEPs are effective in the prevention and transmission of viruses and do not encourage drug use. . Although many numerous studies have countered this way of thinking, Congress still refuses to support these programs.

Fear and ignorance within the public sector have trumped scientific data, again. The concept of needle exchange programs had its beginnings in Europe in 1983. Recognizing, as the U.S. still has not, that the eradication of drug use is an impossible goal, the city of Amsterdam established a NEP so as to decrease the spread of HIV and Hepatitis B among IDU and consequently to their children and sexual partners. It is important to note that NEPs are not the same as needle distribution programs.

IDUs must return their used syringe before they are given a new one. 113 NEPs have been established in more than 80 U.S. cities in 38 states so that the risk of viral infections is minimized. The containment of viruses affects not only IDUs but the whole of society as well. "In addition to needle exchange, these NEPs often provide drug treatment referrals, methadone clinics, peer education and HIV prevention programs" ("Policy Facts", 2001). There is no question within the medical or scientific community that using sterile needles which can be acquired through NEPs, diminishes the possibility of contracting AIDS and hepatitis among IDUs.

The evidence is clear, NEPs save lives. As an integrated element of a wide-ranging disease prevention program, NEPs are a valuable public health asset while, at the same time, not proliferating the illegal drug use. NEPs, if used in association with substance abuse care helps to break the patterns of abuse for IDUs. These programs are extremely cost effective as compared to costs associated with health care