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Development of an enhanced needle and syringe programme: the First Step programme pilot.

Michelle Hudoba·Brin Grenyer·Miriam O'Toole
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Abstract

The First Step programme is a new approach to needle and syringe exchange services established to help intravenous drug users reduce harmful drug use behaviours, provide psychoeducation and act as a point of transition enhancing access to other health and community services. The First Step assertive treatment approach was implemented in a medium-sized community area health service and evaluated over an 18-month period. A pilot evaluation of staff training was also conducted, demonstrating a significant improvement in staff skills in assertive outreach, needs assessment, engagement, psychoeducation and referral. Measures of drug-related harm showed the benefits of new early engagement-enhancing psychoeducational interventions, with increases in needles distributed and returned and greater referrals to drug and alcohol and other health services. Training needle and syringe workers towards a more assertive community outreach role gives them the ability to provide psychoeducation and harm minimization strategies and act as a conduit for intravenous drug users to enter treatment.

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Chi-Square DistributionCommunity Health ServicesHumansNeedle SharingNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPilot ProjectsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousEvaluation StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Michelle Hudoba, Brin Grenyer, Miriam O'Toole. 2004. Development of an enhanced needle and syringe programme: the First Step programme pilot.. https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230412331289455

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