09/12/2025
At the recent Downtown community meeting someone stated "Needle exchanges don't work". Our questions would be what do you think needle exchanges or as they are commonly more referred to as Needle Distribution Programs (NDP) do? And why don’t you think they work ?
NDP's provide education and sterile equipment to people who use drugs to reduce the spread of blood-borne infections (HIV, Hepatitis C) and promote safe disposal of used equipment.
Needle Distribution Programs (NDPs) are a proven strategy to prevent spread of disease, reduce healthcare
costs, and support access to addiction treatment services.
Contrary to common misconceptions, these
programs reduce improperly discarded needles and do not increase drug use. By providing access to sterile equipment and harm reduction education, NDPs play an important role in protecting community health and reducing the strain on the health care system.
Does it work?
Yes!
There is strong evidence that NDPs are essential for prevention. They have been shown to:
• Reduce the transmission of blood borne infections (particularly HIV), among people who use drugs. It may also reduce the spread of other infectious diseases.
• Lower risky behaviours related to unsafe drug use such as sharing used needles.
• Decrease the number of improperly discarded needles in public spaces by encouraging and supporting the return of unwanted or used needles.
• Provide an entry point for treatment services, primary prevention, and education on overdose prevention
and response.
• Improve access to health and social services, connecting individuals to additional support systems.
• Increases likelihood that clients will enter treatment services and stop using drugs
• Reduces overdoses, drug toxicities, and related fatalities by promoting safer drug use and overdose
prevention strategies
AIDS NB's NDP empowers individuals and provides a safe, non-judgmental environment, offering connection,
support, education and services. We operate under the principles of harm reduction; a nonjudgmental approach that recognizes drug use exists and so attempts to minimize the harms and risks associated with injection drug use.
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