Needle exchange programme proposals being looked into

The Health Ministry is looking into proposals to have needle exchange programmes NEPs in India. Under such programmes, clean needles are distributed to Injecting Drug Users IDUs while used ones are safely disposed of. This is to enable IDUs to have access to clean needles so that they do not resort to needle-sharing, one of the main causes for the spread of HIV. NEPs also offer related services, including referrals to drug treatment, HIV counselling and testing. NEPs are in place in several cities in the US.

According to Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, the matter has been taken up with the Home Ministry. NACO has also written to the Home Ministry about the proposal.