Needle exchange program

I don't quite get your question. Is this a test question you are having trouble answering or somthing?

I have training in a needle exchange program.

Yes I have to do this for an assignment. We have to apply the ethical definitions to the Needle exchange program (NEP) like how is fidelity and veracity maintained. I would appreciate any kind of help.

I had to actually look up "fidelity" and "veracity" because I wasn't sure in terms of needle exchange what those words meant or how they applied. I'm still not sure, actually. Those two words sound like they were quoted directly from a book or an assignment -- maybe you need to put the assignment into terms you understand, or clarify with your instructor on what they are looking for?

If you are asking for information as to the effectiveness of needle exchange programs, or if you are asking for the pro's and con's, or why on earth people would support, and be opposed to, the programs, I think we could better answer this question.

In short, needle exchange programs are to public health as sex ed (NOT the abstinence-only sex ed) is to high school students. They are not, by any means, out there condone illegal drug use/abuse. They are there for those who are using and either (a) don't plan to quit or (b) are on a long wait list for a detox/rehab program, which is unfortunately a real-life problem.

I like to think of the programs like sex ed because of the following scenario. You go into a junior high or high school and do the George W. Abstinence-Only sex ed speech, and tell everyone that they only way that they won't contract STDs or become pregnant is by NOT having sex. Very effective, right? Well, some of those people are still going to have sex. And a lot of them aren't going to have the balls to go to the local drug store (that their aunt, parent, or family friend probably work at) to purchase condoms. So the health dept hands out free condoms without questions, to help prevent the spread of STDs and unplanned pregnancies.

In the same way, there are SOME people that are just going to inject drugs into themselves. No matter how many laws are passed, or how hard the government tries to control the import of drugs into the country, or how many times the DARE program is preached at kids, they are STILL going to use. So the needle exchange programs hand out free needles (and usually cotton, metal caps, alcohol wipes, sharps containers, etc) to help prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases -- hep C and HIV being the biggies.

Does that answer your question at all? Have you done any research on this topic? If you google "needle exchange program" you can find over 400K websites -- I'm sure you will find plenty more info from there.

Good luck!

i had to actually look up "fidelity" and "veracity" because i wasn't sure in terms of needle exchange what those words meant or how they applied. i'm still not sure, actually. those two words sound like they were quoted directly from a book or an assignment -- maybe you need to put the assignment into terms you understand, or clarify with your instructor on what they are looking for?

if you are asking for information as to the effectiveness of needle exchange programs, or if you are asking for the pro's and con's, or why on earth people would support, and be opposed to, the programs, i think we could better answer this question.

in short, needle exchange programs are to public health as sex ed (not the abstinence-only sex ed) is to high school students. they are not, by any means, out there condone illegal drug use/abuse. they are there for those who are using and either (a) don't plan to quit or (b) are on a long wait list for a detox/rehab program, which is unfortunately a real-life problem.

i like to think of the programs like sex ed because of the following scenario. you go into a junior high or high school and do the george w. abstinence-only sex ed speech, and tell everyone that they only way that they won't contract stds or become pregnant is by not having sex. very effective, right? well, some of those people are still going to have sex. and a lot of them aren't going to have the balls to go to the local drug store (that their aunt, parent, or family friend probably work at) to purchase condoms. so the health dept hands out free condoms without questions, to help prevent the spread of stds and unplanned pregnancies.

in the same way, there are some people that are just going to inject drugs into themselves. no matter how many laws are passed, or how hard the government tries to control the import of drugs into the country, or how many times the dare program is preached at kids, they are still going to use. so the needle exchange programs hand out free needles (and usually cotton, metal caps, alcohol wipes, sharps containers, etc) to help prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases -- hep c and hiv being the biggies.

does that answer your question at all? have you done any research on this topic? if you google "needle exchange program" you can find over 400k websites -- i'm sure you will find plenty more info from there.

good luck!

:chuckle i love your equating the nep with the 'george w. abstinence-only sex ed. speech'.

yep, come to think of it, those of us in public health are really promoting two methods of

clean "sticks" needles and condoms. :wink2: