SYRINGE SHARING INFECTIONS INCREASE
A recent British study has demonstrated that HIV infections and Hepatitis C infections are increasing amongst injecting drug users.
(Source: British Medical Journal 11 November 2004 Online Issue)
The distribution of 5 million syringes in London has not stopped the sharing of syringes by illicit drug users.
This syringe sharing has led to the increase of HIV infections and Hepatitis C infections.
Hepatitis C amongst young drug users in London has reached epidemic levels according to researchers.
It is estimated that 4 in 10 new drug users in London now had Hepatitis C caused by sharing syringes.
Hepatitis C can cause fatal liver damage.
(Source: Press Association Health Correspondent 15 November 2004)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA COMMENTS
This research from Britain confirms research from Australia showing that blood borne infections like HIV and Hepatitis C are spread by syringes shared by injecting drug users.
The Australian Health Department predicts that there will be half a million Australians infected with Hepatitis C by 2020.
A survey of injecting drug users in Vancouver Canada that had been provided with free syringes were 97 per cent infected with HIV and/or Hepatitis C.
Illicit drug users should not be jailed but given detoxification then rehabilitation to get them drug free instead of being provided with syringes to keep them using drugs.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
8/2005