Needle Exchange Programs

Outline

Topic: Needle Exchange Programs

1. Introduction

Thesis: though needle exchange programs are meant to prevent the spread of infections caused by sharing needles, critics say that they also encourage an increase in drug use among many Americans, making it difficult to address the challenge effectively.

1. Needle exchange programs entail exchanging used syringes for new ones at designated points across the country.
2. Selected pharmacies and drug treatment agencies that have the needle exchange logo (Adams, 2020).
3. The exchange points are supposed to be approved by the Centers for Disease Control to offer the service.
4. The pharmacies issue necessary needle and syringe packs to patients and accept used ones.
5. Apart from the needle and syringe, the designated exchange points also offer a wide range of equipment to help addicts avoid harm when consuming the drugs.
6. The service providers also provide blood testing services to check if one has blood-borne viruses like HIV, hepatitis A and B, and other infections.
7. The needle exchange programs are free and confidential for people who use intravenous drugs.
8. The programs are designed to prevent blood-borne infections among users (Strathdee & Beyrer, 2015).
9. Pharmacies offer sterilized equipment while the used syringes are disposed of safely.
10. Patients must provide some information when they visit a pharmacy for this service for the first time.
11. They are expected to give the same information every time they want an exchange.
12. Needle exchange staff members provide advice on issues related to substance use and the use of this equipment.
13. The practitioners help the patients by getting them the right tools for the exact substance that one uses.
14. The number of people accessing the service has grown over the years.
15. Many substance users rely on this program to access syringes and needles that are hygienically safe for use.
16. A CDC report shows that more than half of all users in the country use the program actively (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016; Rich & Adashi, 2015). This is an increase of about 15% over ten years.
17. It has reduced the number of people testing positive for HIV and hepatitis A and B.
18. Notably, a high number of these infections are from people who use unsterilized needles during drug administration.
19. Access to this service varies between localities since its implementation decisions are made at local and state levels.
20. The needle exchange program encourages substance abuse and makes the problem worse.
21. Since the users know that they can access clean needles and syringes, they do not see the need to quit using the substances (Weinmeyer, 2016). It encourages the use of illegal drugs.
22. It could lead to an increase in financial burden among users and their families and friends.
23. Drug use also leads to an increase in crime rates, especially in exchange for the equipment.
24. A general surge in the use of injection drugs can be witnessed because of clean needles’ availability.
25. Despite the opposition, there are more benefits than harm brought about by this program.
26. The program helps in the proper disposal of needles and syringes that have been used (Sawangjit, Khan & Chaiyakunapruk, 2017).
27. Cities that have these programs report having less used syringes abandoned streets than the cities that do not plan. This poses a public health crisis if left unaddressed.
28. There is an increase in onsite counseling services for people who want to exchange needles.
29. The counseling services can encourage patients to seek further help from professionals and treatment centers.
30. Counseling services offered at these sites also reduce sexual risk behavior and drug-related behavior among users.
31. Since it usually is challenging to reach drug users in their environments, the exchange programs give healthcare experts the chance to get to them quickly and engage them in discussions.
32. Users can look for treatment options that serve their exact needs and problems efficiently.
33. Since the programs lead to a reduction in HIV infections, a lot of taxpayer money is saved because it is expensive to treat a person with the disease as compared to preventing it.
34. There is a need to increase the accessibility of the needle for exchange across the country.
35. Access is one of the most significant barriers to using the needle exchange programs among many users (Bramson et al., 2015).
36. Users in rural areas have little to no access to these programs.
37. Healthcare experts need to ensure that each injection is done using a new needle and syringe to keep HIV infection rates to the extreme minimum.
38. Drug users are generally empowered through these programs to do what they need to lead healthier lives.
39. Conclusion
40. Thesis: though needle exchange programs are meant to prevent the spread of infections caused by sharing needles, critics say that they also encourage an increase in drug use among many Americans, making it difficult to address the challenge effectively.
41. There are more benefits than the harm caused by using needle exchange programs for substance users.