Why do Needle Exchange Programs make public health sense?
In Ontario, NEPs are legislated as a mandatory public health program in areas where injection drug use is recognized as a problem in the community (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, 1997). The Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines state that “The board of health shall ensure that injection drug users can have access to sterile injection equipment by the provision of needle and syringe exchange programs as a harm reduction strategy to prevent transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections and associated diseases in areas where drug use is recognized as a problem in the community. The strategy shall also include counseling and education and referral to primary health services and addiction/treatment services. The board of health shall produce an annual report of program activities and forward a copy to the Minister of Health. (Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care/Public Health Bra
