NCJ Number
197028
Journal
Addiction Volume: 97 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 845-850
Editor(s)
Griffith Edwards
Date Published
July 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study was undertaken to describe the provision for syringe exchange distribution in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
This study was designed as a two-phase cross-sectional survey, with the purpose to determine the effect of syringe distribution in averting an HIV epidemic in the United Kingdom. A total of 1,326 syringe outlets were surveyed. Phase I of the study established a sampling frame of 420 syringe exchange coordinators; and Phase II surveyed the coordinators, seeking data on the number of syringe exchange outlets, visits, and syringes distributed during April 1997 in the United Kingdom. It was found that nearly all health authorities in the United Kingdom with the exception Northern Ireland, operated some form of syringe exchange service. It was reported that 1,707,000 syringes were distributed, and estimated that 27 million syringes were distributed annually from over 2,000 outlets in the United Kingdom. However, it was estimated that in Scotland the number distributed was three to four times less than in England. It was concluded that overall there has been a 6.5-fold increase in syringe distribution in England since 1991, with the number in the United Kingdom being higher than in the United States. The higher levels of hepatitis C infection among injectors in Scotland, compared to England, may be due however, to the uneven distribution within the United Kingdom. It is recommended that anomalies in distribution need to be addressed in order to maintain the low transmission of HIV and to reduce hepatitis C transmission in the United Kingdom. References