Outreach to Intravenous Drug Users through the Needle Exchange Program

Needle exchange is a Public Health program approach for people who use drugs intravenously (inject drugs into a vein with a needle). It is an important tool in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne infections among injection drug users, their families and communities.

Locally, the Public Health - Seattle & King County Needle Exchange Program provides outreach to people who use drugs intravenously. This program provides new sterile syringes in a one-for-one exchange for used syringes and then safely disposes of the used syringes. It also provides important infection risk reduction information, helps drug users get needed health care, and can help with entering drug treatment.

Help entering treatment may help include with an application for public assistance, help scheduling a chemical dependency assessment, or a direct referral to a treatment program.

A variety of treatment options may be available. Treatment using the medication methadone is often an important option. For more information contact the Needle Exchange Program, King County programs, or the Opioid Treatment Program Directory.