The Changing face of Drug Use &
the Role of Needle Exchange
Programmes;
Ensuring NEP’s are equipped to meet the
hidden and emerging needs of drug users.
Erin O’Mara Editor Black Poppy Magazine
NEP’s - Perfectly Placed
to Respond
Good reputation, non judgemental, generally
trusted amongst drug users (rare commodity!)
People ‘volunteer’ to attend, not forced
By working closely with drug users, on the front
line, vital changes in the health and welfare of
the drugs scene will be picked up
NEP’s are an excellent background for effective
user involvement, developing work opportunities
& volunteering for users, bridges for community
concerns.
Its all legal!
On 8th July 2003 a press release announced that the
ACMD recommendations on paraphernalia supply
had been accepted, and that 'The Government will be
laying a negative resolution statutory instrument to
implement changes to section 9A of the Misuse of
Drugs Act 1971' with effect from 1/08/03.
This will make legal the supply to drug users of '5
types of items':
ampoules of water for injection;
swabs;
utensils for the preparation of a controlled drug
(spoons, bowls, cups, dishes);
citric acid; and,
filters.
Questions, Questions &
Answers?
Should I be using a green, long/short blue
or long orange spike for my groin?
What direction to I inject in when using my
feet?
Where should i go now my arm veins are
gone?
How do i keep my groin hole clean, its
always weeping?
Essential Injecting Information
Better knowledge about the right syringe for the
job....
Better knowledge about how to deal with anxiety
episodes in injecting...
Good knowledge about the issues around using
and sharing tourniquets –....
What to do when a syringe becomes filled with a
bloodclot –
And, of course, a good understanding of location
and functions of veins and arteries.
User Involvement
Intrinsically and historically linked for the drug
using community with the rich and complex
issues that are ‘our lives’.
User involvement has stemmed from how we
are treated - medically & emotionally
How we are seen – through ignorance and
labels
How we are affected – by discrimination and
years in drug treatment and
How we are affected by finally having a voice
The Power of Personal
Experience
By definition, no one else – no matter how
well trained or qualified – can possibly
have had the same experience of drug
treatment, the same initial contact with
services or the same journey through the
mental health, legal and drug treatment
system. These experiences are an
important resource in developing services.
Be Mindful...
It is important to remember when being
courted for your views, there can be a
propensity by services/health professionals,
to ask to much for too long, with too little in
return.
The exclusive ‘inside knowledge’ that users
have developed through lived experience,
has often been at huge emotional, familial
and financial cost and people can forget or
ignore the price users have paid, exploiting
this fragile ‘privilege’.
Harm Reduction Equipment -1
Water: An essential resource.
Steriboxes: see demo
Swabs: Important but in the scheme of things but steriboxes,
tourniquets, are more important if funds are an issue.
Filters & tourniquets: see demo
The sterifilt: see demo
Citric Sachets:
Pill filters – research this valuable
equipment.
All legal – all available – all absolutely necessary -
water,
Harm Reduction Equipment -2
Syringe I.D – New from Exchange supplies: Prevents accidental
sharing
Crack Pipes: Utilise the research from USA & your User
Groups and clientele to research equipment
Mouth pieces:
Utilise the research from USA & your User
Groups and clientele to research equipment
Plastic packs of Vaseline: Easy to put together,
cheap and very useful for dry and burnt lips
Naloxone tablets: Now allowed to be dispensed under PGD
(Patient Group Direction) and legal for anyone to administer!
TRIAL EVERYTHING – NEVER ASSUME – ALWAYS ASK YOUR CLIENTS 4 REVIEW
Essential Health & the NEP
Hep B vaccinations…
Clear Hep C information…
Safer using/injecting consultations...
Food…
Wound management…
Contraception…
Condoms AND lube…
Opening Times:
Be innovative. The fact is drug users don’t live
within a 9-5 existence, sex workers, homeless
users, and many IV and drug users would make
use of a service that is open for a few hours at
night, even if it is only for HR equipment.
Relinquish a couple of hours in the day in order
to respond to needs and be open for a couple of
hours at night – 8-10pm for example. Or work
hard to get a vending machine on site – (there is
someone here today with info on them)
Workshops, chats, groups
Hep C treatments…
Coinfection issues…
Wound management …
User involvement…
Injecting practices…
Contraception:
Overdose prevention:
Workshops, chats, groups
Safer using…
Vein care…
Mixing drugs and medications…
Information collation and production...
Bacterial issues...
Training, Volunteering and Work
Programmes
NEPs are perfectly placed to take the
forefront in UI. Because real UI will involve
mechanisms to support and encourage
users to get into the drugs field for work or
volunteering. Our ‘specialist knowledge’ is
extremely rare and almost always
culturally and regionally specific - you wont
get a service that responds to injectors
needs, without fully considering &
involving the injector.
OUTREACH
Slowly dying, must be resurrected!
Will be essential in how effective services
are in responding to current & future
changes in the drugs scene
Especcially effective when address the
most isolated and vulnerable users –
A lifeline for those with mental health
issues or suffering from violence.
Information
Work with your client base to find out what’s
going on in your area and respond to it
Engage your closest user group to define and
create the information you need
Be creative in your information – ‘Up the bum’
campaigns
Subscribe to magazines and look out for the
best leaflets – ask your clienst for advice as to
what they find helpful or useful
The End! Thank You
Notes available