1. Needle exchange programmes (NEPs) in New Zealand – encouraging intravenous (IV) drug use or minimising harm? By Susan Toomer

2. Topic and research question Aim: To evaluate the impact of NEPs by comparing injecting frequency and amount, in needle exchange users and non users + to increase the acceptability of NEPs among NZ public Increased risk of IDUs contracting HIV or Hepatitis C Researchers agree needle exchanges reduce harms around drug injecting Some researchers have found NEPs do not increase IV drug use However...not enough current, NZ research Research Question: Do NEPs in NZ increase IV drug us?

3. Methodology and method Methodology: Quantitative approach Evaluation style research Method: Comparative research Comparison and quantification of data makes observations more explicit Quantification makes summarising data easier and opens up opportunity for statistical analysis

4. Data Analysis Quantification: converting survey answers to numerical form Coding on survey Import data into computer programme Subgroup comparison Control for demographic variables such as age, sex and ethnicity to help ensure validity Use the same trained research assistants to analyse all data to help ensure reliability Use the same computer programme throughout the data analysis state to ensure reliability

5. Implications of this study for practice May help reduce public fear around NEPs Promote use of needle exchanges Decrease in the spread of blood borne viruses, particularly Hep C (prevalent in NZ) Reduce associated health costs

6. References A Thomson Healthcare Company. (2003). Needle exchanges do not boost drug use, study says: IDU remains major HIV risk factor. Aids Alert.18(9), 112. Babbie, E. (2010). The basics of social research (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Kemp, R., & Aitken, C. (2004). The development of New Zealand’s needle and syringe exchange programme. International Journal of Drug Policy, 15, 202-206. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2004.01.002 Kipke, M. D., Unger, J. B., Palmer, R., & Edgington, R. (1997). Drug-injecting street youth: a comparison of HIV-risk injection behaviors between needle exchange users and nonusers. AIDS and Behavior. 1(4), 225-232. Somlai, A. M., Kelly, J. A., Otto-Salaj, L., & Nelson, D. (1999). “Lifepoint”: a case study in using social science community identification data to guide the implementation of a needle exchange program. AIDS Education and Prevention. 11(3), 187-202. Stover, H., & Nelles, J. (2003). Ten years of experience with needle and syringe exchange programmes in European prisons. International Journal of Drug Policy, 15, 437-444. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2003.08.001 Vlahov, D., & Junge, B. (1998). The role of needle exchange programs in HIV prevention. Public Health Reports. 113(1), 75-80. Acknowledgements to Rohan ™ for animations.