Changing brands

Injecting is an important part of the life of many drug users, and people are often very familiar with, and have brand loyalty to, the syringe they are used to using.

However, the nevershare syringe is not 'just another brand': it's a syringe with substantial potential to reduce sharing. Workers will therefore have to address
the issue of changing brand with a balance of enthusiasm for the benefits
of the nevershare and sensitivity to the reasons why people might be resistant to change.

As with cars, beer, soap powder or anything else where it can be difficult to tell products apart, brand loyalty to syringes is an individual thing. One person's first choice can be someone else's last. Syringe preference is often a local issue, with users in a town or area having the same view as to what's good, and what isn't: in many cases this is the exact opposite to the view held by users in another town or area! This variability of views on syringe brand loyalty means that it is an area that is amenable to intervention and change.

In the end the most important benefit of swtching to the nevershare is the potential for reduction in risk of accidental sharing and blood borne virus transmission. In addition, from the point of view of injectors the fact that you are offering an attractive high quality syringe designed for them, should also be a significant attraction. The other attractive useability features of the syringe are a very smooth plunger action and lack of print around the barrel especially at the bottom, so people can see what's going on in the syringe more easily.

We are not suggesting that injectors should never be offered choice about the injecting equipment they use – some will need detachable and/or longer needles. However, where people have a preference for other insulin syringes, the benefits they perceive must be weighed against the possible increase in blood borne virus risk from accidental sharing through not having coloured plungers.

We are obviously very interested in how these discussions with injectors go, and welcome feedback from workers and injecting drug users.