The Benefits of Needle Exchange Programs

  Do you work with intravenous drug users? Have you wondered about access to safer options for them? A needle exchange program may be the solution your patients need. The program can provide access to clean supplies while also reducing the stigma surrounding bloodborne pathogens and the use of drugs. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of these programs.

Reduce Use of Contaminated Needles

One of the most significant benefits is that they can help people stop using contaminated needles. Needles can be difficult to clean at home, and they can easily spread bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV. Read more: What is Bloodborne Pathogens Training? If you don't take the right steps to clean needles, you may pass a disease to someone else or get one from another person. Needle exchange programs handle the cleaning and disposal process, so you don't have to worry about using a bad needle. While bloodborne diseases can be hard to eradicate, a needle exchange can make it easier for drug users to stay safe. Then, health care providers won't have to deal with as many cases of bloodborne pathogens.

Access to Sterile Injection Equipment

As an exchange, drug users can bring their old needles to the program and get new, clean needles. If someone doesn't have a clean needle, that may not stop them from injecting drugs anyway. Needle exchange programs make it easy to get sterile equipment so that drug users can reduce disease transmission. The programs handle the needles for cleaning and sterilization, taking some stress off the user. People don't have to worry about buying new needles each time they want to inject. And they don't have to find other people to exchange needles with and risk getting an infection.

HIV Infection Rates

Another specific benefit of having safer needles is a reduction in HIV infections. Some studies don't show a clear decline in infection rates, but they also don't show an increase in infection. However, HIV can pose a problem to many intravenous drug users. Having access to better, cleaner needles can be useful, especially if multiple people use the same needles. Each drug user can get their own clean needles with a needle exchange program. Then, they can still take the drugs through an injection and avoid increasing their risk of HIV.

More Drug Treatment Referrals

Many needle exchange programs can refer drug users to drug treatment centers. Because of this, they can help drug users look for treatment for their addiction. If a drug user doesn't have access or even the thought to seek treatment, they may continue using injections. However, going to a needle exchange program gives users the option to seek medical care. A needle exchange can tell drug users about good rehabilitation programs and other treatment centers in the area. The user then won't have to worry about researching or finding the right program. Instead, they can take the referral and start to get better.

Less High-Risk Behavior

Because of the goal to reduce bloodborne disease transmission, needle exchanges can help lower risky behavior. When people visit the program, they don't have to rely on finding needles from random people. Some programs also provide condoms and other tools that further help reduce the spread of HIV. Needle exchange programs are also working to reduce the stigma around bloodborne pathogens, and lowering high-risk behavior is helping. While needle exchanges probably won't eliminate HIV or intravenous drug use, any use reduction is a good thing. If people are afraid to seek assistance from a traditional clinic, the needle exchange may be enough to help people start toward recovery.

Free Access

Probably the most significant benefit of needle exchange programs is that people don't have to pay for them. If a drug user spends their money on drugs, they may not be able to afford new needles elsewhere. However, they can visit a local needle exchange to swap out old equipment for clean supplies. The free cost can be especially helpful for drug users who have lost work and income. While drug use is a problem, providing free access to a solution can help more people get the care they need. Then, drug users can find treatment for their addiction.

Flexible Programs

Depending on where someone lives, they may have access to more needle exchanges. In that case, they can choose the closest or most convenient program available. Some needle exchanges are in clinics, and drug users can easily seek further treatment without going somewhere else. However, other programs are mobile, so they may move around the community to serve more people. Meanwhile, some programs may have both options, so you can visit a more comprehensive clinic or do a basic exchange anywhere. That flexibility can be useful for many drug users who don't have reliable transportation or otherwise can't get to a clinic.

Various Services

Needle exchange programs offer more services than exchanging needles for drug users. Some programs offer certain types of medical care that can help people who use intravenous drugs. The exact services may vary between programs and locations. However, drug users can take advantage of these other services if they want to receive treatment for their addiction. And even if they don't want to stop using drugs, they can still use the services to check on their health. Here are a few services you may find at a needle exchange.

Safety Education

Some programs may offer educational tools, like how to inject safely or how to prevent an overdose. Bloodborne pathogens training can help both drug users and health care providers. What is bloodborne pathogens training? It's a type of course that teaches you how to work around bloodborne pathogens. Then, you can know how to keep yourself and others safe. Being able to use needles and other equipment safely is crucial, even when using a clean needle. Drug users and health care providers should know and understand the risks and how to mitigate those risks.

Disease Screening

Some needle exchanges may also screen for HIV and viral hepatitis, or other bloodborne diseases. If someone has one of those illnesses, the center may also provide treatment and care. Going to a traditional doctor to screen for HIV or hepatitis may feel embarrassing. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about going to your regular doctor to test for those things. Employees at a needle exchange have the tools necessary to treat patients. However, not all centers may have these options, so consider the location if disease screening is important.

Vaccines

Depending on the needle exchange, people may also be able to receive some vaccinations. Some of the more common vaccines these programs offer include hepatitis A and B. If you know you're at a higher risk of getting hepatitis, you should get a vaccine. You don't have to go to your doctor or another clinic to get the care you need. Access to vaccines is especially important for drug users. If someone feels ashamed or can't go to a traditional clinic, some needle exchanges may be the best option.

Wound Care

If someone has a wound or abscess, they may be able to seek care for it at a needle exchange. The exact care available can vary, so it's worth comparing local programs. Caring for wounds related to a needle injury may seem simple, but they can be risky. If the wound has a bloodborne pathogen infection, whoever treats it needs to be careful to make sure the infection doesn't spread. Some needle exchanges may have the tools and training necessary to properly care for wounds with bloodborne infections. Then, people don't have to worry about spreading the infection by caring for it at home.

Safe Disposal

Disposing of needles properly is essential for keeping the entire community safe. If an infected needle goes into the regular trash, it may penetrate the trash bag. Anyone who handles that bag may develop a sharps injury. Unfortunately, some people may not have the tools to dispose of needles correctly. But they can go to a needle exchange program and give them used needles. The program has the tools and supplies to get rid of old needles safely and effectively. Then, drug users won't have to worry about further harming themselves or others with incorrect disposal options.

Referral to Mental Health Services

While needle exchanges refer people to drug treatment programs, they can also refer people to other mental health services. If addiction is because of some underlying mental health condition, this may be a good option. Someone at a needle exchange may be able to talk with people and determine if they need mental health care. Then, they can send people to the right person for therapy or another treatment option.