logo of the EU drugs agency

You are viewing archived content

Please note that this page is a static copy of a previously published web page and is no longer actively maintained.
Be aware that the information contained here may be out-of-date.
For the most recent information, we recommend visiting the main website of the EMCDDA.

Table HSR-5. Syringes provided through needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008

Country2003 Number syringes (x 1000) 2005 Number syringes (x 1000)2007 Number syringes (x 1000)2008 Number syringes (x 1000)
Belgium (Flemish community)(2)237449599643
Belgium (French community)(2)241261371:
Bulgaria(2), (3), (14)400600735508
Czech Republic(2), (3) 1780327444574644
Denmark(2), (3)910910:
Germany:::
Estonia28486819662033
Ireland::1097:
Greece(13)44306555
Spain623339663500:
France(2), (6) 9598:4800:
Italy::::
Cyprus0000
Latvia126124126:
Lithuania302259187239
Luxembourg375435287260
Hungary51105214298
Malta(1)210220226:
Netherlands(1), (3), (5):440380:
Austria(8)175618913160:
Poland(9)644372396318
Portugal2663284523132449
Romania(3):103812321109
Slovenia::882:
Slovakia(10)143362421254
Finland(2)143518922648:
Sweden:118117164
UK- England&Wales(7):::
UK-Northern Ireland(11)8386117136
UK-Scotland:1746::
Croatia::150256
Turkey0000
Norway(2), (3), (12)330033003275:

Notes:

 The table includes syringes provided through fixed and mobile NSP points in the community and in prisons: at specialist drugs agencies, including through outreach work and peer-distribution, through vending machines and pharmacy-based NSP points. 

 Where data are not available, the table entry is left empty. 

 Reporting coverage in 2003 and 2005: see SB 2007

 (1) No data were reported for 2007. Information is based on latest available data (2006).  

 (2) Data on number of syringes in 2003 are estimates.   

 (3) Data on number of syringes in 2005 are estimates. 

 (4) Data on number of syringes in 2007 are estimates. 

 (5) Partial data, covering only cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. 

 (6) Data on number of syringes in 2007 for France are an estimate based on reports from 84 out of 120 specialised harm reduction agencies (CAARUDS). They are partial data and do not include pharmacy-based sterikit distribution/sale nor distribution through vending machines, which in 2006/07 amounted to approx. 5,3 million syringes (latest available estimate). 

 (7) No reliable data on syringes distributed in England and Wales are available. A Home Office report (ACMD, The primary prevention of hepatitis C among injecting drug users, Home Office, February 2009) mentions an estimate of 23 million for 2005 (p.16). 

 (8) 2005 data for Austria cover the two agencies with largest turnover: VWS Vienna and Komfüdro Tyrol.   

 (9) Data for Poland include syringes funded by the National Bureau for Drug Prevention.   

 (10) Data for Slovakia cover independent exchange programmes provided by field services, treatment institutions and the K-centre. 

 (11) Data for Northern Ireland refer to the UK fiscal year: 1 April 2007 of the reporting year until 31 March 2008. 

 (12) Data on number of syringes in Norway in 2007 are partial, based on the reports from 11 out of 26 municipalities. 

 (13) Data for 2007 refer to the main NSP (MABY) only. 

 (14) An internet based system for all reporting agencies was set up in 2008, thus establishing a working procedure for data reliability and consistency control. Any discrepancies with previous data is due to this change in the reporting system and trend analyses should be carefully performed. 

 See also 'General notes for interpreting data' on the Explanatory notes and help page

Sources:

 Standard tables on 'syringe availability' (ST10) submitted by NFPs in 2004, 2006 and 2008.   

 Reitox National Reports 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.   

 For Sweden 2008 data, personal communication NFP 06/04/2010.           

(see the help page for information about formats etc.)

Page last updated: Wednesday, 05 January 2011