Clean Needles For Drug Users? (Press, 11 December 1986)

On 11 December 1986, it was reported that mobile units for the exchange of needles and syringes for drug users were being established in Wellington as part of efforts to prevent the spread of A.I.D.S. in New Zealand. These units were recommended by the A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr Richard Meech, in a report presented to the Minister of Health, Dr Bassett. The committee highlighted that these mobile units would not only provide access to clean needles but also connect users with educational resources about A.I.D.S. While acknowledging the ethical concerns of providing drug users with needles, the committee emphasised that reducing needle-sharing was their primary objective, with a secondary focus on addressing drug use overall. They advocated for a proactive approach, rather than waiting until A.I.D.S. cases rise significantly. The mobile units would require staff experienced in the drug scene, such as personnel from drug clinics or former users, and would mandate medical supervision. The report also suggested several other recommendations, including a name change for the A.I.D.S. virus to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (H.I.V.), aligning with international standards. Furthermore, the committee recommended that educational and prevention efforts should target high-risk activities, such as needle sharing, instead of focusing solely on high-risk groups. It called for urgent funding to support education and prevention programmes and recommended against future surveys on low-risk populations regarding anti-H.I.V. prevalence. The report urged the distribution of guidelines on managing inmates in institutions, stressing the need for readily available plastic gloves and disinfectants, alongside the development of intensive H.I.V. education programs for both inmates and staff within these institutions. It indicated the mobile unit approach would require special project funding, separate from existing A.I.D.S. control or drug clinic budgets, and recommended legislative changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act for implementation. The report concluded with an assessment that A.I.D.S. infection levels in New Zealand had become clearer, with the current infection rate considered “low but significant.” The committee warned that while New Zealand might currently avoid a major A.I.D.S. epidemic, there were indicators that could change this situation. The Nurses’ Association expressed support for the needle exchange initiative. Its president, Mrs Lorraine Sivyer, argued that while such a system would not necessarily increase drug addiction rates, it might not be completely effective in reducing A.I.D.S. transmission among all users due to some addicts' tendency to share needles with partners. She stressed the importance of educational programmes accompanying the needle exchange and highlighted the need for proper supervision and potential monitoring of drug users. Mrs Sivyer also mentioned that an existing overburdened hospital system would struggle to handle an A.I.D.S. epidemic without reducing other services, making preventive measures critical for long-term healthcare sustainability.

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