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Needle and syringe programmes (NSP) to reduce injecting risk behaviour

Summary of the evidence

Rating
  • Beneficial

A review of reviews (MacArthur et al., 2014, N=25 reviews), without meta-analysis, concluded that there is:

  • sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of NSPs in reducing self-reported injecting risk behaviour among IDUs (N=43 studies, 39 positive, 1 negative, 3 no association).

Details

Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.

Name of response option

Needle and syringe programmes (NSP)
Desired outcome(s)
  • reduce risk behaviours
Area(s)
  • Harm reduction
Specific substance or pattern of use
  • amphetamines
  • opioids
Target group(s) or setting(s)
  • PWID – people who inject drugs

References

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