Access to Sterile Syringes

This information sheet discusses the necessity for injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, to have access to sterile syringes in order to prevent the spread of HIV. The sheet explains that (1) the method used to prepare and inject drugs offers many opportunities for the spread of HIV and hepatitis viruses, (2) IDUs do not generally have access to sterile syrnges because most states have laws that restrict the sale and distribution of sterile syringes, and (3) safe disposal of used syringes is also a concern. The information sheet lists three types of interventions that are now being carried out in the US to increase IDUs' access to sterile syringes, and suggests ways of improving access to sterile syringes and of educating IDUs and the community at large.