1. NEEDLE AND SYRINGE PROGRAMMES IN THE UK Jamie Bridge, NNEF Chair bridgejamie@hotmail.com

2. www.nnef.org.uk First UK NSPs in 1980s ACMD (1988): “The spread of HIV is a greater danger to individual and public health than drug misuse” Wealth of international evidence: –Impacts on HIV, risk behaviour –Increases drug treatment uptake –Cost effective –“No convincing evidence” of unintended consequences

3. More than just needles…

4. www.nnef.org.uk NTA Needle Exchange Audit Average DAT in 2006 = –2.4 specialist NSPs –11 pharmacy-based NSPs “Mixed economy”: ~50% DATs did not provide BBV testing ~ 40% did not provide immunisations ~33% did not provide safer injecting advice

5. www.nnef.org.uk Issues to Discuss Impacts of budget cuts on NSP / HR Impacts of localisation Over-reliance on pharmacy exchanges Complacency among decision makers Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs Mephedrone injecting Reduced staff training and specialism