Statistics from the Northern Ireland needle and syringe exchange scheme: 1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published a Statistical Bulletin summarising the information collected on the operation of the Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme (NSES).

This is the eighth annual bulletin. It summarises information on people visiting the Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme and relates to the twelve-month period ending 31 March 2009.

KEY POINTS:

In Northern Ireland during 2008/09:

• There were 13,389 visits to participating pharmacies by users of the scheme. This is an increase of 18% (2,002 visits) on the 2007/08 figure (11,387visits).
• A cin bin is a sealed container which is used to safely dispose of used needles and syringes: 53% of cin bins issued to users of the scheme were returned in 2008/09 compared to 54% returned the previous year.
• 135,700 syringes were issued in 2008/09. This is a 16% increase from 2007/08 (116,935 syringes).
• Over four fifths of visits (86%) were made by male clients.
• Over half (55%) of all visits were made by individuals aged 31 years and over, just over a quarter (26%) by 26-30 year olds and a fifth (20%) by individuals aged 25 years and under .
• 108 visits were made by an outreach worker on behalf of a client; this is an increase of 32% (26 visits) on the 2007/08 figure (82 visits). In total 2,070 syringes were issued by outreach workers in 2008/09, compared to 1,330 in 2007/08.

Notes to Editors:

1. The bulletin is published on the DHSSPS website

2. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch within the DHSSPS.

3. This bulletin is the eighth reporting on information collected through the Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme, which was established in April 2001. Initially five pharmacies were involved in the scheme; by the end of 2008/09 there were ten pharmacies offering needle and syringe exchange. Pharmacies were chosen based on their willingness to participate, their location, and the assessed need for needle exchange in the locality.

4.The bulletin presents information on the number of visits to participating pharmacies, the number of syringes issued and the proportion of cin bins returned. In addition, an age and gender breakdown is provided of users of the scheme, and also a breakdown of information on the number of visits that were made by an outreach worker on behalf of a client.

Further information is available from:

5. For media enquiries please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.