Action on needle exchange scheme
Latest news from Carmarthenshire Council’s press office - Action to improve needle exchange scheme
Action is being taken to improve Carmarthenshire’s needle exchange scheme following concerns raised by councillors.
The Local Health Board and the Community Safety Partnership are looking at a number of measures to increase the number of needles returned and reduce the likelihood of needles being discarded.
It follows concerns raised by the county council’s Social Justice Scrutiny Committee back in January about the low number of needles being returned and the possibility of used needles left in the community.
Needle exchange schemes operate across the UK and offer injecting drug users sterile injection equipment as well as advice on safer injection techniques and appropriate disposal.
The aim of the schemes is to prevent the spread of blood borne diseases, in particular HIV and Hepatitis B and C, amongst both drug users and the wider community; as well as encourage drug users into treatment.
The Welsh Assembly Government recommends the schemes as examples of good practice and has stated that each Community Safety Partnership in Wales must ensure that there is appropriate provision in their areas.
In Carmarthenshire, there are 16 pharmacies offering the needle exchange scheme and users are encouraged to dispose of any used equipment safely.
A report went before the Social Justice Scrutiny Committee today (Wednesday) which outlined a number of new measures.
These include:
The introduction of smaller packs (three needles instead of 10) to encourage clients to take only the equipment they require for their day’s use;
Targeted outreach work by drug agencies to particular hotspot areas;
A survey to be conducted to ascertain from clients what would encourage the safe disposal of needles;
Discussion with residents, community groups and council leaders on fixed site needle disposal facilities in problem areas;
A media campaign to encourage the public to report any discarded needles to the council for safe and efficient removal;
Revision of protocol for pharmacies for this service and further training and support offered to clients.
Community Safety manager Kate Thomas told the meeting: “A number of developments have been made since January following concerns raised by members.
“A multi-agency group has been set up in Llanelli and is meeting on a regular basis to look at problems in the area.
“We are also in the process of collating data from the council’s contact centre regarding the number of discarded needles reported to us for collection, as well as from other agencies that collect needles, so we can get an overview of the level of the problem in the county and take positive action to resolve the issue.
“A high-profile media campaign is also being planned to educate and raise awareness amongst the public.”
The needle exchange scheme is commissioned and funded by the Local Health Board, head of partnerships and integrated commissioning Peter Llewellyn said: “The needle exchange scheme is an important intervention that needs to continue to be available to clients to reduce the harm associated with their drug misuse and in order to reduce the harm caused by drug misuse in the wider community. Failure to provide such a scheme could result in an increase in the spread of blood-borne infections amongst drug users and the wider community.”
Members have now requested regular reports on the scheme as they still have concerns regarding the return of needles.
Action is being taken to improve Carmarthenshire’s needle exchange scheme following concerns raised by councillors.
The Local Health Board and the Community Safety Partnership are looking at a number of measures to increase the number of needles returned and reduce the likelihood of needles being discarded.
It follows concerns raised by the county council’s Social Justice Scrutiny Committee back in January about the low number of needles being returned and the possibility of used needles left in the community.
Needle exchange schemes operate across the UK and offer injecting drug users sterile injection equipment as well as advice on safer injection techniques and appropriate disposal.
The aim of the schemes is to prevent the spread of blood borne diseases, in particular HIV and Hepatitis B and C, amongst both drug users and the wider community; as well as encourage drug users into treatment.
The Welsh Assembly Government recommends the schemes as examples of good practice and has stated that each Community Safety Partnership in Wales must ensure that there is appropriate provision in their areas.
In Carmarthenshire, there are 16 pharmacies offering the needle exchange scheme and users are encouraged to dispose of any used equipment safely.
A report went before the Social Justice Scrutiny Committee today (Wednesday) which outlined a number of new measures.
These include:
The introduction of smaller packs (three needles instead of 10) to encourage clients to take only the equipment they require for their day’s use;
Targeted outreach work by drug agencies to particular hotspot areas;
A survey to be conducted to ascertain from clients what would encourage the safe disposal of needles;
Discussion with residents, community groups and council leaders on fixed site needle disposal facilities in problem areas;
A media campaign to encourage the public to report any discarded needles to the council for safe and efficient removal;
Revision of protocol for pharmacies for this service and further training and support offered to clients.
Community Safety manager Kate Thomas told the meeting: “A number of developments have been made since January following concerns raised by members.
“A multi-agency group has been set up in Llanelli and is meeting on a regular basis to look at problems in the area.
“We are also in the process of collating data from the council’s contact centre regarding the number of discarded needles reported to us for collection, as well as from other agencies that collect needles, so we can get an overview of the level of the problem in the county and take positive action to resolve the issue.
“A high-profile media campaign is also being planned to educate and raise awareness amongst the public.”
The needle exchange scheme is commissioned and funded by the Local Health Board, head of partnerships and integrated commissioning Peter Llewellyn said: “The needle exchange scheme is an important intervention that needs to continue to be available to clients to reduce the harm associated with their drug misuse and in order to reduce the harm caused by drug misuse in the wider community. Failure to provide such a scheme could result in an increase in the spread of blood-borne infections amongst drug users and the wider community.”
Members have now requested regular reports on the scheme as they still have concerns regarding the return of needles.
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