Services Database Needle & Syringe Exchange

To provide access to sterile needles, syringes and sharps containers for return of used equipment, to promote safe injecting practice and reduce the transmission of infections by substance misusers.
The aims of the service are to:

• assist the service users to remain healthy until they are ready and willing to cease injecting and ultimately achieve a drug-free life with appropriate support;
• protect health and reduce the risk of transfer of blood-borne infections and drug-related deaths among service users:
  • by reducing the rate of sharing and other high risk injecting behaviours;
  • by providing sterile injecting equipment and other support;
  • by promoting safer injecting practices; and
  • by providing and reinforcing harm reduction messages including safe sex advice and advice on overdose prevention (e.g. risks of poly-drug use and alcohol use);

• promote the availability of drug services and actively encourage engagement with the same;
• promote access to other health and social care services; and
• improve the health of local communities by preventing the spread of blood-borne infections by ensuring the safe disposal of used injecting equipment.

The pharmacy contractor or the pharmacy lead for the service has a duty to ensure that pharmacists and staff involved in the provision of the service have relevant knowledge and are appropriately trained in the operation of the service. One pharmacist must be CPPE or RCGP certificate part one trained by the end of 2014-15 and attend one local DAAT training event annually. Pharmacists will be informed of the training events by the DAAT. Proof of training will be required when signing up to the specification.