John Glenday, Shared Care/Harm Reduction Co-ordinator at NHS Highland
said:
“In a bid to cut this number down and minimise the harm caused by injecting
drug use, NHS Highland are beginning a four month pilot scheme in Rossshire.
The NHS Highland East Ross Outreach Needle Exchange Service will distribute injecting paraphernalia to drug misusers in the area. Equipment to be used will include citric acid sachets, sterile water for injection, disposable filters and sterile ‘cookers.’ This is the first time such an innovative scheme has been tried in Highland and it is hoped that the service will radically cut down on drug users sharing equipment and leaving themselves open to viruses and infection, particularly Hepatitis C.
Injecting drug users who wish to be provided with any paraphernalia will be
seen by a specialist Harm Reduction Nurse before they are issued with any
equipment.”
