Arguments Against Needle Exchange
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Topic: What are the main arguments for and against needle exchanges?
The needle exchange program is a social service program which is aimed at allowing the drug syringe users to have free or cheap access to hypodermic needles. The idea underlying the program is to realize the concept of harm reduction i.e. to reduce the harm and to reduce the risk associated with the use of syringes. It is because the syringe users who use syringes for drug administration into their bodies can harm their bodies by re-using the same syringe or using the syringe which has been used by someone else. Therefore, in order to eliminate the risk of HIV and AIDS associated with such usage of syringes, the needles …show more content…
Moreover, the ones who get addicted to such drugs are often vulnerable to reusing the syringes because their addiction takes over their decision power of quitting the drug. Therefore, the program at least minimizes the health risks associated with syringe use and causes less harm which would otherwise follow from reusing the syringe. The medical profession takes such an illness as chronic one just like asthma, hypertension and diabetes. Their focus is to treat the problem. This also eliminates the blame on part of drug addicts for causing health issues to their body. (Loconte, 1998)
World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an in-depth study in 2004 whereby it was found that there was substantial evidence to believe that the needles exchange program has reduced the risk of HIV among drug administers. Similar findings had previously been observed by the American Medical Association in 2000 whereby they found out that the needles exchange program produced better results when combined with addiction counselling. Therefore, the American Medical Association adopted a position supporting the needles exchange program. (Stancliff, et al. 2003; Jarlais, et al. …show more content…
2007). It was concluded in the session that there is little evidence to suggest the significant effectiveness of needles exchange program in reducing the HIV risks and that the evidence in this regard is inconclusive. It was also observed that four studies which suggested the effectiveness of needles exchange program were the ones in which no conclusive causal link was established between the program and the spread of HIV. It was also stated that the study was general in nature and the sample of the study did not comprise the drug addict individuals.
However, Tilson (2007) also pointed out that needles exchange program is still considered to be a prominent step in fight against spread of HIV through needles. The program has increased the effectiveness of measures that are intended to reduce the risk of diseases. Therefore, he concluded that only a program which not only focuses on provision of fresh needles but also focuses on the provision of treatment can be effective in reducing the risks. However, it still need be solved that what would be the ingredients of the
Student Name
Roll No
Topic: What are the main arguments for and against needle exchanges?
The needle exchange program is a social service program which is aimed at allowing the drug syringe users to have free or cheap access to hypodermic needles. The idea underlying the program is to realize the concept of harm reduction i.e. to reduce the harm and to reduce the risk associated with the use of syringes. It is because the syringe users who use syringes for drug administration into their bodies can harm their bodies by re-using the same syringe or using the syringe which has been used by someone else. Therefore, in order to eliminate the risk of HIV and AIDS associated with such usage of syringes, the needles …show more content…
Moreover, the ones who get addicted to such drugs are often vulnerable to reusing the syringes because their addiction takes over their decision power of quitting the drug. Therefore, the program at least minimizes the health risks associated with syringe use and causes less harm which would otherwise follow from reusing the syringe. The medical profession takes such an illness as chronic one just like asthma, hypertension and diabetes. Their focus is to treat the problem. This also eliminates the blame on part of drug addicts for causing health issues to their body. (Loconte, 1998)
World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an in-depth study in 2004 whereby it was found that there was substantial evidence to believe that the needles exchange program has reduced the risk of HIV among drug administers. Similar findings had previously been observed by the American Medical Association in 2000 whereby they found out that the needles exchange program produced better results when combined with addiction counselling. Therefore, the American Medical Association adopted a position supporting the needles exchange program. (Stancliff, et al. 2003; Jarlais, et al. …show more content…
2007). It was concluded in the session that there is little evidence to suggest the significant effectiveness of needles exchange program in reducing the HIV risks and that the evidence in this regard is inconclusive. It was also observed that four studies which suggested the effectiveness of needles exchange program were the ones in which no conclusive causal link was established between the program and the spread of HIV. It was also stated that the study was general in nature and the sample of the study did not comprise the drug addict individuals.
However, Tilson (2007) also pointed out that needles exchange program is still considered to be a prominent step in fight against spread of HIV through needles. The program has increased the effectiveness of measures that are intended to reduce the risk of diseases. Therefore, he concluded that only a program which not only focuses on provision of fresh needles but also focuses on the provision of treatment can be effective in reducing the risks. However, it still need be solved that what would be the ingredients of the