NCJ Number
124802
Journal
Canadian Journal of Public Health Volume: 81 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1990) Pages: 39-45
Date Published
1990
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Vancouver (Canada) initiated a needle exchange program in March of 1989 to stem the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users and their sexual partners and offspring.
Abstract
The success of the program is measured by the increasing number of people registered in the program and the responsibleness of their behavior, as evidenced by the ever-increasing rate of exchange, number of regular users, and requests for medical and addiction treatment. Outreach services, especially using a van, have expanded program availability. Success in terms of clientele response is accredited primarily to the nonjudgemental, nonintrusive approach. The main problems besetting the program have been the lack of addiction treatment services, financial and personnel constraints created by the large enrollment, and difficulties with Federal/Provincial funding. Funding has been requested for an evaluation program to determine the proportion of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) that return to the program after initial contact, the frequency of their high-risk behavior, and the determination of the rate at which the IVDUs seroconvert to HIV. 44 references.