How accessible are needle exchange programs in Manhattan to injecting drug user populations?
A closer look at geographic access to needle exchange programs using a Geographic Information System (GIS) A recent study of the New York City needle exchange program suggests that needle exchanges need to work on an operational level more closely with the rest of the healthcare network in order to build capacity and operational effectiveness12. There are currently nine legal needle exchange programs that operate in New York City, with two different formats (storefront operations and street-based operations). Storefront operations provide a safe space for users, longer hours, and a space for on-site medical care, support groups and other services. Street-based operations offer syringes and support in a variety of waysdoor to door, in vans or on street corners. Street-based exchanges reach out to people that do not usually come to the storefront operations.2 While some of the programs have ties to other healthcare service providers, for the most part, needle exchange programs operate in
