GOVT FUNDS NEEDLES FOR DRUG USERS

Dunedin Exchange Welcomes Scheme

Needle exchange users are among the beneficiaries of the Government's
latest budget in a move welcomed by Dunedin's needle exchange programme.

From July, the Ministry of Health will provide $1 million a year
nationally over the next four years to make needles free at the exchanges.

Stephen Farquhar, chairman of the Dunedin Intravenous Organisation Trust,
which runs the exchange, said the funding would make a huge difference in
preventing needles from being shared and reused, thereby reducing the
spread of diseases.

Even if only 10 people a year were prevented from catching hepatitis C,
there would be a huge reduction in ongoing costs to the health system, he said.

Studies around the world had shown there was no increase in drug use when
free needles were available; instead, the health risks associated with drug
use were reduced.

Mr Farquhar said an independent report on New Zealand needle exchanges
several years ago showed that for every dollar spent on them, $20 was saved
in the cost of treating diseases spread by blood-born viruses, such as HIV
and hepatitis.

"More people can have hip operations and kids get their tonsils out; it's
important to put it into perspective."

He said free needles would mean users had more money to buy $1.50 water
filters to use with drugs to prevent particles getting caught in blood
vessels, damaging eyes and lungs.

The majority of drug users crushed tablets and dissolved them in water for
injecting, he said. "So, obviously, we promote the use of sterile water
instead of Dunedin tap water."

The standard price for a needle and equipment at the Dunedin needle
exchange, which had operated since 1989, was 90c.

Needle exchange co-ordinator Gregor Richardson said amphetamine users
tended to inject between one and five times a day and opiate users about
twice a day.

"Ideally, they should use a clean needle but they don't."

Clients were responsible about returning used needles but cost restraints
prevented them from using new equipment every time.

It had been estimated there were 800 users in Dunedin but not all were
active at the same time. "It's a seasonal thing," Mr Richardson said.

Amphetamines and opiates were the main drugs injected in Dunedin. There was
no heroin or cocaine and very little P, because of the high cost.

Mr Richardson said no country had found a way to stop people from injecting
themselves so the needle exchange worked on the idea of harm reduction instead.

While details had not been worked out for distributing free needles, there
would be some sort of exchange system with used needles to prevent them
being left where they could cause injury to other people, he said.