NCJ Number
171390
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 33 Issue: 5 Dated: special issue (1998) Pages: 1129-1146
Date Published
1998
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article provides a historical perspective on the development of needle exchange programs in Canada, the legal and policy context of such programs, evaluation and monitoring strategies, and challenges facing AIDS prevention efforts among intravenous drug users (IDUs).
Abstract
Despite the fact it is legal to sell, exchange, or provide an IDU with a syringe and there are no laws in Canada requiring a physician's prescription to justify the possession of a syringe, policy development and programming alone have not be adequate to prevent AIDS in several cities across the country. Concerted efforts have been made by needle exchange programs to increase the supply of injection equipment, but HIV prevalence continues to rise. In a coordinated strategy for AIDS prevention among drug users in Canada, needle exchange is not itself in question. Ghettoization and needle quota systems, however, may have had an adverse impact on prevention programming. A national plan has been developed that aims to decentralized both methadone maintenance and needle exchange programs, increase access to detoxification and treatment modalities, and change criminal justice system and law enforcement practices. Prison-based strategies to prevent AIDS are discussed. An appendix lists members of Canada's National Task Force on HIV, AIDS, and Injection Drug Use. 52 references