NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM POLICY

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM POLICY

Introduction

The needle exchange program is a policy that offers accessibility of sterile syringes, injection apparatus and needles for drug addicts who uses the intravenous methods for consuming drugs. The policy advocates for a strategy for accessing this equipment at minimum cost. This program was started in  1980’s in the United Kingdom as strategy to reduce the prevalence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome and hepatitis B. Eventually the project was extended to united states since there emergence of need for limiting the spread of HIV among drug users who use injections (Wright, N. M., Tompkins, C. N., & Farragher, T. M., 2015). In the United States, the prevention unit was developed and is operational illegally as a street-based initiative to curb the spread of the HIV.

Thesis statement

Recent studies conducted by world health organization have shown that NEP has been successful in reducing the rate of HIV and other diseases which can be transmitted through blood when people share injection needles. The program also supports the various campaign which assists drug users to quit the habit due to prevailing risks.

Needle exchange policy

The world health organization support this project since it is cost effective since it limits the virus transmission and also saves money that the government uses to care for acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus (Bassler, S, E., 2017). Even though this problem has proved to be effective, users do not return used apparatus such as needles and syringes hence leads to a community risk since needles with have been contaminated are not carefully disposed of. The negligence makes the society to be at risk of coming into contact with contaminated needles. Despite the government banning of monetary funds associated with NEP project, the Centre for Disease Control advocates for the implementation of two hundred Needles Exchanges Policy in 36 states. Contributing to the success of this project, government and NGO’s have been making an effort to support the program (Strathdee, S. A., & Beyrer, C.,2 015). The Needle exchange program has an impact on health workers career through training where the nurses are educated on how to counsel drug users on dangers associated with sharing of single needles between several individuals.

Costing

The needle exchange program is a useful framework which is orient in curbing the spread of human immunodeficiency virus alongside other blood contact transfer viruses. In America, it is projected that there are 211 exchange programs available in 32 states with cost per each needle distributed to be 0.97 dollars. In the United States, the needle exchange program is valued between 6 to 40 million dollars annually (Strathdee, S. A., & Beyrer, C.,2 015). The prevention cost for infectious diseases has been approximated between four thousand to twelve thousand dollars.

This program has succeeded in providing sterilized needles and syringes for the American people. There are several financial efforts and budgetary allocations utilized by government and ministry of health to ensure that the needle exchange program is functional (Frakt, A., 2016). The Consolidated Appropriation Act created 2016 support state and community to utilize government funds and circumstances defined in the clauses; there are also new regulations which govern the local departments, state and territorial sectors that support needle exchange programs to spend government finance in the project activities (Wright, N. M., Tompkins, C. N., & Farragher, T. M., 2015). These initiatives make sure that monetary allocations for the project are effectively spent to promote health and risk infections among drug users who use the injection method.

The current regulations have ensured that government funding is utilized at the discretion of local rules and health administration authorities. The effective needle exchange program has contributed a vital role in the improvement of health status for drug users who were sharing contaminated needles that were spreading infections amongst them. The policies have supported strategies that minimize sharing of syringes through the provision of free sterile needles which are readily available to drug users (Strathdee, S. A., & Beyrer, C.,2 015). The roles which are executed by health professionals is crucial to health care stakeholders and industry in general since nurses provide care, counseling and educating the sick on various issues with pertains to their health. Nurses offer medical care to the sick and provide doctors with information used to make critical solutions related to the patient’s recovery path (Bassler, S, E., 2017).

In some cases, nurses provide post-treatment care and they should be engaged in activities to support a full recovery. At some point, the reports submitted by them is used to use to evaluate patients and make health decisions which assist in their recovery. The medical care servicing has an objective of ensuring that patients are offered quality care and safe services which ensure their recovery process is productive and successful (Abbasi, J., 2017). The needle exchange program policies are focused on providing services in a secure environment and encourage the use of needles and syringes for individuals who inject drugs hence it addresses safety issues, quality health care and useful results for patients.

Considering safety policy makers guarantee that all members who use needles handle adequately educated about the needles usage, disposal of used products and how to carefully utilize the items. The members are provided with training on how to keep high hygiene, safe storage of needles and syringes in places where young kids cannot easily access them. The policymakers also ensure that the needles and syringes which are supplied are of good quality in orders to have positive results (Frakt, A., 2016). Syringes exchange program policy guarantee availability of needles and syringes which are enough and serve the population that injects drugs sufficiently.

Before the policy implementation people who were injecting drugs used to share needles and syringes a condition that promoted the transfer of infection from one person to another through the sharing of needles. However this policy discourages sharing of needles but encourages one person per needle strategy, and on the other hand, there are also affordable items that serve a similar purpose (Wright, N. M., Tompkins, C. N., & Farragher, T. M., 2015). From the literature above the policy is performing well in its cause and is adequately effective in the achievement of its goals and objectives.Nurses perform a very crucial role in ensuring healthcare provision is up to standard since they update patient’s records, ensure right medication is used and train their clients on safety measures and related aspects

Conclusion

This assessment for the needle exchange program policy effectiveness, it is evident that the project is conducting its purpose incredibly and ensures that the drug users are safe, protected, trained and supplied with enough items for their use (Abbasi, J., 2017). The drug users are trained on safety measures, appropriate actions to ensure the policy implementation is successful. The policy has been successful in reducing infections which can be transmitted through sharing of injection needles and syringes (Bassler, S, E., 2017). The system has succeeded in reducing the number of cases associated with the sharing of needles and syringes. It is also evident that the funds which are provided to support the project are used for an intended purpose that ensures safety for all including children and others