UK recommends sterile injecting equipment for teenage AAS users

[element00]

http://www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/pre...preadOfBloodborneVirusesAmongSteroidUsers.jsp

This approach to ensure under 18 year olds have access to needles and syringes is totally in line with strategies to prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses, but interestingly there seems no recognition of providing further harm reduction information related to young men and use of AAS. Raises the question of who in the health sector is able to provide accurate and credible messages

 

[Millard]

http://www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/pre...preadOfBloodborneVirusesAmongSteroidUsers.jsp

This approach to ensure under 18 year olds have access to needles and syringes is totally in line with strategies to prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses, but interestingly there seems no recognition of providing further harm reduction information related to young men and use of AAS. Raises the question of who in the health sector is able to provide accurate and credible messages

NICE wants to treat AAS use like all other injectable drug use. This is one of the big concerns we had about McVeigh's emphasis on BBV transmission; now policy is following suit.

There is important harm reduction info that should be prioritize above this. Why is NICE so badly misreading the situation?

 

[element00]

NICE wants to treat AAS use like all other injectable drug use. This is one of the big concerns we had about McVeigh's emphasis on BBV transmission; now policy is following suit.

There is important harm reduction info that should be prioritize above this. Why is NICE so badly misreading the situation?

That's a great question! Harm reduction is a philosophy which has evolved into a strategic approach aimed to prevent and reduce harms. Not a concept only related to drugs, with a common example I provide to lay people being that of cars on the road. Seat belts and airbags are pure harm reduction approaches. They don't stop driving or people driving fast or accidents occurring, but when needed they can be effective to reduce the impacts.

Harm reduction in the drug space has evolved over many years, with needle programs being one of the key strategies implemented to demonstrate harm reduction in action. Core function here is prevention of BBV, but there are many other activities undertaken both related to injecting and other routes of administration.

The main problem with placing needle programs as the key focus to respond to AAS users is that it obviously neglects the differences. NICE and it seems all others are trying to apply the exact same approaches to steroid users as they do users of other illicit substances. You and I both know this is limited, but harm reduction has evolved into a global movement and they are often marginalised from mainstream health responses which has created somewhat of a closed and zealous mentality about protecting drug users. It's that welfare view that 'we know best' and on topics such as AAS where they possess limited knowledge, they struggle to adapt.

Sorry for the rant

 

[S.B.C]

a free anonymnous mail order service is what they need to offer.

 

[jp4355]

I've Posted on this Before.
The U.S. has a Needle Exchange Program in 32 or 33 states and the District of Columbia.
While It's Primarily for Drug Users, the one I go to in Philly, has just Recently adjusted their Aim to Include PED users. They also have Doctors on site to Assist in any and all Problems.
I don't know if this is the Case for All States that Participate.............. JP
P.S.
It's a Recent Move in the Right Direction.
P.S.
I forgot to Add, that It's Free and Anonymous, this Applies to All Participating States, and the D. of C.