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Young people and needle exchange: when and how should we provide a needle exchange service? When and how should we give young people blood borne virus (BBV) advice?
Danny Morris, Development Manager, Drug Services, Herefordshire PCT & Independent Trainer and Consultant
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the practice of syringe and needle supply and associated harm reduction advice to young injectors is compounded by a range of legal, ethical and practical issues including lack of worker confidence, competence and fears, often related to inadequate support and limited specialist guidance around often controversial interventions.
The provision of injecting equipment to young people should be an essential part of overall strategies to reduce and prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses. However, this workshop will explore how although "Every Child Matters' there is growing indication that services are neglecting the needs of a small but growing group of substantially at-risk young people. With some notable exceptions, many young peoples services are ill equipped to respond to this most vulnerable group of young drug users.
Data from services around young people's injecting behaviours within the UK is poor although a increasing number of studies strongly suggest that the age at which young drug users are being initiated into injecting is decreasing. Young inexperienced injectors with limited access to expert services and appropriate support are adopting inadequate injecting techniques associated with extensive harm and damage. This is now being reflected with increased prevalence of blood borne viruses amongst this group.
The workshop will reflect on these challenging issues and obstacles and the emerging needs of young injectors and how, with reference to good practice and case examples, needle exchange should and can be delivered to young people at risk.
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Biography
Danny has 20 years experience in the drugs field, including in detached community work, outreach, HIV treatment and drug treatment. He has worked in the statutory and non-statutory sectors as both a practitioner and a manager. He has also worked as a commisioner in the drugs and HIV field.
Danny is currently the part time Development Manager for an NHS drug treatment service (DASH, Herefordshire PCT), providing a range of practical and therapeutic interventions for drug users, with the aim of reducing drug related harm. He is committed to the development of progressive, evidence based services and this is further reflected in his role as an independant trainer and consultant designing and delvering high quality and effective training, consultation and facilitation with statutory and non statutory organisations.
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