The transition from underground to legal syringe exchange: the New York City experience. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


The transition from underground to legal syringe exchange: the New York City experience.

AIDS Educ Prev. 1996 Dec;8(6):471-89. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/97163701
Kochems LM; Paone D; Des Jarlais DC; Ness I; Clark J; Friedman SR; Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York,; NY 10003, USA.

Abstract: The most common method of syringe exchange program (SEP) development in the United States has been for SEPs to be started by activists without funding and then to become a government-funded community-based organization. This developmental process, which has not been studied to date, involves major organizational change. We report our findings on three New York City syringe exchanges experiencing this type of transition. Our data illustrate that following legalization, increased legitimacy and funding allowed all three SEPs to expand the size and scope of their programs (e.g., adding hours, sites, referral services, and the ability to support user groups), resulting in a rapid growth in participation (over 15,000 in 18 months). Regulation accompanying legalization posed significant challenges to SEPs, including added record-keeping and reporting tasks, increased demand for referrals, and accommodating evaluation, which affected already overburdened staffs. The transition process poses significant challenges to these developing organizations as well as opportunities for improved services.
Keywords: *Attitude of Health Personnel *Facility Regulation and Control/LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD *HIV Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL *Needle-Exchange Programs/ORGANIZATION & ADMINKWDattitudeofhealthpersonnelKWDfacilityregulationandcontrol/legislation&jurisprudKWDhivinfections/prevention&controlKWDneedle-exchangeprograms/organization&admin
970630
M9761238

Copyright © 1997 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .