Syringe solution

In regards to the article "Syringe trial backflip" (Sunday Territorian, October 24), the Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council has been running a needle syringe program (NSP) in Darwin for more than a decade.

In my experience, our clients have never been violent towards staff.

NSPs are cost-effective public health programs that provide opportunity for harm reduction, such as reducing HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Other Territory hospitals provide opportunity for harm reduction, and it would be unfortunate if Darwin could not have 24-hour NSP services due to unrelated violence in its hospital.

Further, nurses should be entitled to a safe working environment regardless of whether they are working with drug users.

Liza Shaw
NSP co-ordinator
NT AIDS and Hepatitis Council

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 4th November 2004
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Liza Shaw
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News