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Needle size - influencing choice in needle exchange
Kevin Flemen, Independent Trainer, KFx
Abstract
Although needle exchange has existed in the UK for
almost three decades, the range of needles distributed has been fairly limited.
This presentation will explore the factors that have influenced and
continue to influence selection of needle size - from organisational
and injector perspectives.
Given the evidence that use of incorrect needle size can increase vein
and site damage and shorten vein life, promoting the most appropriate
needle size to injectors has to be a high priority. So it is
depressing that so many workers and injectors remain confused about the "right needle."
Some of the factors that influence needle size have been determined by
organisations - who orders equipment, which wholesaler they use, and
if distribution takes place on a pick-and-mix or a prepack basis.
Other factors relate to injector preference - what they are familiar
with, have learned to use, the extent to which it suits their injecting "style."
The factors that should determine choice should be access to a range
of equipment and information that allows worker and client to identify
the most appropriate needle. Unfortunately this isn't always (or even
usually) the case and the aim of this workshop is to go some way to
correcting this situation.
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Biography
Kevin Flemen is an independent trainer and consultant. He has
worked in the drugs field since 1993, working for Turning Point, the
Big Issue and Release. After leaving Release in 2003 Kevin set up KFx
and has worked independently since then. KFx offers training,
literature and resource development and a sprawling web site and blog
which offers a large amount of free resources for the drugs field.
Kevin has delivered training on injecting and needle exchange since
his early days at the Hungerford Project, a part of Turning Point and
now offers one, two and three day training courses. These are highly
popular courses which have been very positively evaluated and recent
customers include CRI, Phoenix Futures, WDP, Lanarkshire Harm
Reduction Team and a number of others. This year has seen sessions
take place from Lanarkshire to Brighton, Norfolk to Merthyr Tydfil
helping to ensure that not only is training kept up to date but
reflects the diversity of drug use in the UK
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