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Abstract
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises providing access to sterile needles and syringes to be a ‘fundamental component of any comprehensive and effective public health program’ to reduce the transmission of HIV amongst people who inject drugs (PWID). Similarly, Australia’s national and jurisdictional blood borne virus (BBV) strategies highlight promoting the use of and ensuring access to sterile needles and syringes as a primary intervention in retaining the virtual elimination of HIV amongst PWID and reducing hepatitis B and C transmission. These strategies aim to guide Australia’s response to meeting its commitments in reducing BBVs amongst priority populations. While Australia routinely exceeds the UNAIDS definition of high syringe coverage, receptive needle sharing practices continue to occur and is reported to be associated with sub-populations within the PWID community, such as women and younger people. Increased access to sterile needles is emphasized for these subpopulations.
Internationally, the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a drastic reduction in the distribution of sterile needles. In New South Wales (NSW), COVID-19 restrictions forced services providing needle and syringe programs (NSP) to adapt their modes of operation to comply with restrictions and protect the wellbeing of their staff, volunteers, and service users. Changes to services included reduced opening hours, limiting the number of staff and clients allowed in physical spaces to maintain social distancing requirements, and implementing contact tracing systems. While NSP services rapidly implemented strategies to ensure they continued to provide essential harm reduction services and information to their clients, there were concerns that changes to services and disruptions to supply chains could result in reduced NSP coverage.
