DrugScope, the leading independent centre of expertise on drugs and drug policy, has today welcomed the publication of new guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) [1] on the benefits of needle and syringe programmes (NSPs).

NSPs aim to reduce the harms associated with injecting drug use, including the transmission of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C, through the provision of sterile injecting equipment, information on safer injecting practices and advice on disposal techniques. Today's guidance aims to promote the 'optimal provision' of NSPs and encourage their use amongst existing injecting drug users by improving access to services such as needle exchanges.

Key recommendations from today's report include:

- NSP providers should encourage injecting drug users to use services which aim to reduce the harms associated with injecting drug use; encourage them to stop using drugs or to switch to non-injecting methods (e.g. substitute prescribing methods such as methadone maintenance programmes).

- NSP providers should ensure that people using their services have access to sharps bins and advice on how to dispose of needles and syringes safely.

- As the current levels of provision of NSPs 'varies widely' in different areas, local health authorities should develop plans to ensure NSPs are available to meet local need. Recommended planning measures include data collection, service user input and consultation with communities.

Responding to the today's guidance, DrugScope Chief Executive Martin Barnes said:

"This guidance highlights the important role that needle and syringe programmes play, both as a way of opening the door to drug treatment and in reducing the health harms caused by injecting drug use.

"Largely as a result of the introduction of needle exchanges in the 1980s, this country has one of the lowest rates of HIV/AIDS infection among injecting drug users anywhere in the world. However, we cannot afford to be complacent. Despite remaining at a relatively low level, there is evidence that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection among drug users has risen in recent years. There are also increasing concerns about the number of people contracting other blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C through injecting drug use.

"It is essential that needle exchanges are available to all those who need them. Unfortunately, as today's report highlights, the availability and accessibility of these services 'varies widely'. Drug users across the country should have equal access to sterile injecting equipment. We hope that today's guidance will lead to an improvement in the provision of needle and syringe programmes in those areas that are currently not well served."

About DrugScope

DrugScope is the national membership organisation for the drugs field and the leading independent centre of expertise on drugs and drug policy. Our aim is to inform policy and reduce drug-related harms - to individuals, families and communities.

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[1] Information on NICE Guidance

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. NICE produces guidance in three areas - public health, health technologies and clinical practice.

Further information on today's guidance on needle and syringe programmes can be found on the NICE website at - nice/Guidance/PH18

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