Dirty needles suspected in hepatitis C spread

It comes as no surprise that dirty needles are incriminated in hepatitis C spread, especially among IV drug users.

As communities across the state continue to struggle with rising rates of heroin abuse, these users, who are also younger, seem to be contracting the potentially liver-destroying disease hepatitis C at higher rates, according to state data. And health officials in Rochester, Minnesota, suspect dirty needles may be to blame.

Minnesota’s situation mirrors what’s happening in other states with booming heroin rates, from Massachusetts to Wisconsin, and it’s leading to what a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services described as an “emerging epidemic” of hepatitis C.

The benefits of needle exchange schemes are clear, that by taking dirty needles out of circulation they reduce the incidence of infection circulating in the IV drug user population. The moral majority who object to the use of resources being made available to fund these important public health services cannot offer any effective alternative. As much as they might object, the evidence if clear that needle exchange takes dirty needles off the streets, and engaging users to ensure their access to healthcare services including drug treatment and rehabilitation schemes.

Its all good, AND it takes dirty needles from parks and gardens, squats, back alleys, public toilets etc, where members of the public, cleaners, council workers and others might be inadvertently exposed, potentially with disastrous consequences.

 

 

 

 

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