Transcript Slide 1

“ Reaching out to drug
users and communities
”
WDP Preventing HIV
Yasmin Batliwala
Who are WDP?
• WDP is a medium sized agency in the Third
Sector
• We work with drug users at all stages of their
use
• Clients range from chaotic users, ambiguous
about their use, to those who are maintaining
their abstinence
• WDP works
– In the criminal justice system (custody suites and
courts)
– In community settings
– With the children of drug using parents
– With families
Who are WDP?
• WDP has a reputation for providing
– Quality services
– A qualified, committed workforce of 250
– Excellence in training and developing
employees
• WDP sees over 500 clients a month in its needle
exchange services
• WDP sees over 200 clients a month in its
criminal justice services
The early UK experience
• ACMD stated that “ the threat to individual
and public health posed by HIV and AIDS
was much greater than the threat posed
by drug misuse”
• Thus HIV was the
catalyst for needle
exchange provision in
the UK
The early UK experience
• Prevalence of HIV in the UK 0.2% general
population
• Prevalence statistics `95 - `99 suggest
rates in IDU HIV rates reduced from 5.7%
- 2.9%. Stabilised in the rest of the UK
• This reduction and stabilisation has been
attributed to needle exchange provision
and other harm reduction initiatives
UK- contemporary picture
• Rate of HIV infection
amongst DU
increased
• Average of 1 in 50
across UK, London
rates higher approx 1
in 25
• Prevalence amongst
new injectors (last 3
years) is an indicator
of recent transmission
rates
UK – contemporary picture
• UAPMP study suggests that new
infections at their highest ever levels
• 34% of this sample of more than 3000
DUs reported never having had a HIV test
• On testing, 47 individuals found to have
HIV antibodies yet only 47% were aware
that they were infected
• Lowest awareness rate ever recorded
Why?
• Increased heroin availability and use
• Initial HIV message watered down
• Rise of crack use (crack users more likely
to test positive)
• Rise of speedballing
• New generations of drug users not
exposed to so much awareness raising
Why increase in sharing?
• Rise of Hepatitis C = nihilistic attitude?
• Bigger pool of infected users
• Needle Exchange provision wide but not
always accessible when needed
• STILL poor knowledge re sharing
• Also early research methodology not
specific enough (Just asked about sharing
needles)
What is WDP doing?
• WDP sees an average of 500 clients a
month over 3 different sites in needle
exchange services
• WDP also supports the police in giving out
needle packs in stations across
Westminster
• WDP = London wide coverage
WDP Needle Exchange Van
• The mobile needle
exchange offers a
unique service
• Works outside office
hours and in clients
own environment
• Sees 50 clients per
month with multiple
interactions
WDP Needle Exchange Van
• Offers advice and
information
• Engages with users who
do not access services
• Engages with sex
workers
• Gives out condoms
• Takes back supplies of
used needles
• A “ pick and mix” of
needles given
WDP - Innovation
• All WDP employees
are given
comprehensive
training re harm
reduction
• All employees give
harm reduction
advice at
assessment
including safer sex
advice
WDP - Innovation
• Needle exchanges offer
packs with:
– Water
– “never share” needles
– “Pick and mix needles”
– Condoms
– Bins
– Acid
– Expert advice
WDP - Innovation
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Dry spot testing
Encourage testing
Non invasive
Economic
Integrated treatment
WDP - Innovation
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Working with sex workers
Giving out condoms, lip salve
Expert advice and information
Working in partnership
Has lead to women’s group
– Working with 10 – 12 women weekly
WDP - Innovation
• WDP works in partnership with
pharmacies
• Delivers harm reduction advice to wider
client group
• Reaches those that will not attend services
• Provides expert advice and information
Thank You