Australia: Call to Expand Needle-Exchange Programs

Australia's liberal needle-exchange program over the past 10 years has helped to prevent 32,000 new HIV infections and almost 100,000 new cases of hepatitis C, says a new report from the National Center in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR).

"This study provides strong evidence to suggest that increased spending should be invested in expanding needle and syringe programs," Associate Professor David Wilson of NCHECR said in a statement. "Not only would it significantly reduce health burdens but it will ultimately save Australian taxpayers substantial amounts of money."

The existing program has saved taxpayers $1.3 billion (US $1.2 billion) in health outlays, the report says. The program cost $243 million (US $225 million) during that time.

Australia distributes 31 million clean needles and syringes every year through almost 1,000 distribution points such as clinics, pharmacies, and vending machines. The number of needles and syringes has increased steadily from 27 million at the start of the program.

Even with the program's growth, health officials estimate that half of drug injections are done with unclean needles and syringes. The report calls for increasing the availability of sterile equipment by 50 percent -- a move it says would further reduce new HIV cases by 37 percent and new hepatitis C cases by 23 percent over the next 10 years.

Hepatitis Australia, an advocacy group, endorsed the expansion of the program.

"[T]he reality is people who inject drugs are unlikely to use another's person's injecting equipment if they have convenient access to sterile [alternatives]," Vice President Stuart Loveday said.

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