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Megan McCann
Jorgensen
English 1010
12/1/15

Needle Exchange Programs

Blood Borne diseases are a major problem that society faces today. Two of these
diseases have become a major issue among todays population are Human immunodeficiency
virus, better known as HIV and Hepatitis C or HCV. These two diseases are very harmful
because once you have been infected with one of them, you are infected for life. These pathogens
are chronic which means there is no cure for them, therefore, it is a lifelong battle that those who
are infected will have to face. It is estimated that 1.2 million people are living with HIV and an
estimated number of 3.2 million people are living with HCV just in the United States.
(HIV/AIDS 1). Needle exchange programs effectively assist in prevention of these diseases.
Back in the 1960s and 1970s the most common way to contract HIV was through
unprotected sexual activity. Although unprotected sex can still lead to HIV, nowadays it has
become more common to become infected with HIV through the transfer of infected blood found
on used drug paraphernalia (Page 3). Because one of the most common ways to abuse drugs is
through injecting them intravenously using needles and syringes, the risk of becoming infected
with HIV is rising. Some of the most common drugs that are abused through intravenous
injections are heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Once someone who is HIV positive uses a
needle to inject drugs like these, anyone else who comes in contact with that needle is also at risk

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of becoming infected. Because the spreading of HIV through used needles has become more
common, it is important that measures are taken to reduce the risk of contracting this disease.
Most recent studies show that 50,000 people in the United States are infected with HIV
each year (HIV/AIDS 2). With such a high number of people becoming infected with chronic
pathogens and an unfortunate growth in this number, measures need to be taken to stop the
problem from spreading. Since one in five drug injectors around the world are infected with HIV,
prevention tactics need to focus on the reduction of spreading through used drug injecting
equipment (Needle Exchange and HIV Prevention 1). One of the most effective ways to help stop
the spreading of HIV is through needle and syringe exchange programs. These programs are
designed so that those who inject drugs have a place to turn in their used needles and exchange
them for new, clean ones. This results in the proper disposal of needles and syringes and gets
them off the streets. Although some people believe that needle and syringe exchange programs
lead to the promotion of drug use, they are a benefit to society because they reduce the risk of
blood borne pathogens and help eliminate drug related violence.
Not only is the selling of dirty needles on the street a huge issue, so is the disposal of
needles and syringes. Once a needle is left out on the street, all it takes is for someone to
accidentally be poked by it. If the needle had been in contact with someones blood who was
infected with one of these blood borne diseases, the person who touches it is at high risk for also
becoming infected. This is a risk for a man walking down the street, or a child playing in the
park. Anyone is at risk to run across a dirty needle because they can be disposed of improperly
anywhere. Having the risk of becoming infected with a chronic disease by a dirty needle out in
the public makes the rate of infection skyrocket because anyone can come in contact with an
infection and contract the chronic disease. Not only is the improper disposal of needles a risk to

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drug abuses, it is also a risk to those in the general public.

Source of information: (Tookes, et al)

Needle and syringe exchange programs also help reduce some of the street violence that
is present in drug abusing communities. Anytime there is an exchange of drugs or drug
paraphernalia, there is s chance of violence occurring. Many types of illegal drugs, such as
cocaine and heroin have side effects such as changes in behavior, paranoia, and mood
disturbances (Effects of Cocaine 1). All of these symptoms lead to violent effects. Any time of
change in mood or behavior is a risk for violent behavior towards people around the drug user.
Since most drug users are dependent on drugs, encounters with those dealing with the selling of
drugs and paraphernalia have a very high intensity. This can often lead to violent outbursts by

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either the drug user or the seller. By eliminating the selling of dirty n needles on the streets, it is
helping keep the illegal street selling from happening as much. By eliminating the middle man
(the seller), violent encounters dealing with drug deals will decrease. (Anderson 2).
People who are uneducated about needle and syringe exchange programs believe that
these programs will promote drug use, especially among teens. They believe it makes it easy for
people to obtain the needed materials, therefore more people are likely to join the drug injecting
community (Anderson 1). This however, is not the case. Those who are interested in the world of
drug abuse can obtain materials other ways. Needle and syringe exchange programs will not
prompt other people to use illegal drugs. Needle and syringe exchange programs are there to help
lower the risk of a huge problem that the worlds population faces, the spread of HIV and HCV.
These programs do not promote drug abuse, they help reduce a problem that every American
may face. These programs are there to help with the safety and disposal of those who are
illegally injecting drugs. As a result, it helps everyone avoid the risk of becoming infected with a
blood borne disease.
Needle and syringe exchange programs are also very cost effective. It is estimated that
every syringe that is given out only costs $0.97. This is a great deal less than the cost of
treatment over the life time of someone who has HIV or HCV. It is estimated that the cost for
needle and syringe programs to prevent one person from becoming infected with a chronic
pathogen is between $4,000 and $12,000. This is much less than the $379,660 it is estimated to
treat someone with HIV over a lifetime. Treatment of HIV is not a cure, it is just the medical
costs necessary to make living with HIV or HCV easier (Holtgrave 54).
Recently the governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, lifted the ban of needle and syringe
exchange programs. He has opened up needle and syringe exchange programs in the southeastern

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county of Indiana after the states highest outbreak of HIV. Since December of 2014, 89 cases of
HIV have been diagnosed and 5 more are being tested. All of these cases of HIV can be traced
back to intravenous drug users. The ban on these programs has been lifted for a thirty day time
frame. Governor Mike Pence, feels that the outbreak is serious enough that these programs are
necessary. He has made it clear that he does not see this as a permanent solutions but as way to
help with a serious issue that he fears could spread throughout all of Indiana if it is not taken care
of (Cervo 1).
Without proper funding, we cannot see the great advantages other places outside the
United States have witnessed firsthand from needle and syringe exchange programs. An example
of a place that has greatly benefited from needle and syringe exchange programs is Taiwan.
Taiwan started their syringe exchange programs in 2005 with trial programs in many different
areas. By 2007 Taiwan exchanged more than 4 million syringes and needles to people who inject
drugs. These programs, were serving over 60,000 people in the drug injecting population. In
2010, six years after the beginning of their programs, research was done to show the number of
Human immunodeficiency virus infections among the drug injecting community. The results
were outstanding. As of 2010, only 114 cases of HIV were reported among the people who inject
drugs. This was remarkably lower than the 2006 numbers that stated that 1,693 people who inject
drugs were infected with HIV (Des Jarlais 10).
Having countries with successful results can help the United States learn what it takes to
make these programs work. Some unique ideas have been brought out by studying other
countries needle and syringe exchange programs. During an interview with Chloe Withers she
shared with me an interesting idea that many countries have tried out. She explained this
interesting idea by saying, Some countries have vending machine like objects that will actually

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exchange needles for you. She discussed with me that the benefit of being able to exchange
needles this way is that it makes it more accessible to people. It also takes away from the shame
that some may feel when exchanging needles face to face with another person. By having
different methods that exchanges can be done, gives more people an opportunity to take
advantage of these programs. Each successful country can share different ways to incorporate
needle and syringe exchange programs into different cities across the United States.
These programs can be a great tool to help people overcome drug addiction problems.
Many of the centers that offer needle and syringe exchanging also offer educational classes and
counseling options for those who choose to seek help with their addiction. By offering other
types of programs within the centers of syringe and needle exchanges, many drug abusers could
realize the help that is out there for them to stop abusing drugs. Having help on hand could be the
step that is needed for someone to admit that they have a problem and need help overcoming it.
It is important that needle and syringe programs dont just stop at the exchange. They should
offer other services that could help people who inject drugs better their lives. These programs are
a good connection to people of the drug injecting community and those ties should be taken
advantage of. Forming relationships with people who inject drugs using needle and syringe
exchange programs is a step that could help save many drug abusers lives.