Physician Prescription of Sterile Syringes to Injection Drug Users

This information sheet discusses physician prescription of sterile syringes to injection drug users (IDUs) who continue to inject, in order to prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. Physician prescription of sterile syringes will not only help IDUs receive sterile syringes legally, but also can create links to other health care and social services that IDUs would not normally seek out. The example is given of a progam in Rhode Island that is examining the feasiblity of physician prescription in a community setting. The information sheet lists recommendations for ways of fostering the physician prescription plan on the community level and the individual level, and examines the legal and attitudinal issues pertaining to physician prescription of sterile syringes for IDUs.