Syringe exchange programme, KETHEA EXELIXIS, Athens
KETHEA EXELIXIS, part of the KETHEA therapeutic programmes network, works to reduce the harm resulting from substance abuse, through a series of interventions and actions. Prompted by the increase in HIV infections among injecting drug users, KETHEA EXELIXIS initiated a syringe exchange street programme distributing sterile, disposable kits, to limit the re-use of injecting paraphernalia among drug users living in the streets and help safeguard public health. The syringe exchange project has had measurable success, with over 102.166 syringes exchanged in 2016. Key to the programme’s success is the practice of exchange instead of syringe distribution, which both collects contaminated syringes, removing them from the streets and ensuring their safe disposal, and facilitates attempts by the street-working team to liaise with drug users and offer support and incentives to fight addiction.
Grant given:
2016
