WHAT DO NEEDLES MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS?
Carol J Strike1, Ted Myers2,3, Margaret Millson2,3 (1) Centre for Addiction and Mental health; (2) HIV Social, Behavoural and Epidemiology Studies Unit, University of Toronto; (3) Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto Objectives: Document and analyse how different meanings ascribed to needles influence needle exchange program (NEPs) policies and practices; and HIV prevention goals. Methods: Using a modified enthnographic approach, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with staff and managers (n=59) of NEPs in Ontario (n=15). Interviews addressed: operational policies; program history, funding, survival and challenges. Analysis involved an iterative, inductive process of comparing data with theory. Results: Needles are contentious objects that are defined in different ways. Those who oppose NEPs often define needles in terms of facilitation of drug use and question the morality of exchanging needles. For workers and managers who must defend NEP activities,
