Services Database Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (Knowsley Area)

3.1 Aims and objectives of service

To reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses and other infections caused by sharing injecting equipment.

To do this the objectives include reducing harm caused by injecting drug use and provide:

• advice on safer injecting practices,

• advice on minimising the harm done by drugs, including image- and performance- enhancing drugs,

• advice on how to avoid and manage an overdose,

• information on the safe handling and disposal of injecting equipment,

• access to blood-borne virus testing, vaccination and treatment services,

• help to stop injecting drugs, including access to drug treatment (for example, opioid substitution therapy) and encouragement to switch to safer drug taking practices.

• To maximise the access and retention of all injectors, especially the highly socially excluded.

• To help Service Users access other health and social care services and to act as a gateway to other services (e.g., key working, prescribing, Hepatitis B immunisation, Hepatitis and HIV Screening, Primary Care Services etc).