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Needle Exchange and New York |
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New York State has had a needle exchange program since 1992, but there aren’t enough facilities to reach a significant portion of those in need of program. It was estimated that only 18 to 25 percent of the approximately 160 Intravenous Drug Users in the state will receive “harm reduction services vies the existing thirteen Syringe Exchange Programs in” 2005.(Report on Syringe Access in New York State 7) There are generally two types of needle exchange programs, a one for one exchange and need based distribution. The program that I am proposing will be need based. It is unreasonable to expect a drug addict to always be able to keep up with their supplies. Some clients could possibly be homeless and “do not have a secured place to store syringes prior to bringing them back to the SEPs.” (Report on Syringe Access in New York State 5) While a one for one program may be a good incentive for proper disposal, “many participants are reluctant to return syringes to programs because of concerns about arrest.: ( Report on Syringe access in New York State 5) Another problem facing SEPs is their lack of advertisement. It is illegal for pharmacies to advertise that hypodermic needles/syringes are available without prescription Granted very few homeowners would feel comfortable with drug users coming to their neighborhoods looking for a needle exchange program, but it is a reasonable assumption that addicts do not have an innate sense as to were services for them are located. And since they are outside of mainstream lifestyles it is likely that they are not within the loop of information |