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Table HSR-4. Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs)

Part (i). Year of introduction of needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), types of programmes available in 2010 and number of sites

CountryNeedle and syringe fixed programmesOutreach NSP
Year first NSPSourcesYear first publicly fundedSourcesNo. of specialist agency sites with NSPNo. of vending machinesNo.of Pharmacy-based NSP sitesNo. of prison-based NSP sitesTotal number of fixed sites (min)No.of sites with NSP outreach workersNo. of sites where NSP carried out by vanTotal number of pharmacies
Belgium (Flemish Community)2001120011200250451002710
Belgium (French Community)1994120001160:0161002464
Bulgaria1995119991980009898:5268
Czech Republic198631991355100563612600
Denmark1986119861:::0::0318
Germany1984419922185165:1::::
Estonia19971200111300013230503
Ireland198951989128000284:1394(3)
Greece1998119981400042011500
Spain19851198511222:912702204:3621166
France(1)1989119951116276290421914922386(4)
Italy1990119901:::0::::
Cyprus20072200791000100458
Latvia1997119971180001893828
Lithuania19971199781100011331441
Luxembourg1993119931440190092
Hungary199412000121500261342411
Malta19871198767000700:
Netherlands1984719861150:250175::1980
Austria19901199011515:030402271
Poland1989119891240002412113 500
Portugal1993119931140133621352961492739
Romania20002200024003736365900
Slovenia19921199619050141068308
Slovakia199411994150005531799
Finland19971199714000040::811
Sweden(2)19861198612000200945
UK- England1986119871:1:0::::
UK - Wales::3011920223416706
UK-Northern Ireland2001220012101401500532
UK-Scotland198721987255:200025587:
Croatia:1996260:064347:
Turkeyn/an/a0000000:
Norway1988119881130001339700
 

Notes

NSP: the acronym NSP is the abbreviation for the term ‘needle and syringe programme’. This means the provision of sterile syringes and hypodermic needles as well as of further injecting paraphernalia to injecting drug users. NSPs can also be implemented at pharmacies or in prisons.

NSP site: The term ‘site’ is used to describe physically distinct outlets where syringes can be obtained for free or in exchange against used ones.

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

(1) For France, Circulaire DGS 05 May 1992 allowed a pilot study of NSPs, but full implementation only after 1995.

(2) In Sweden, needle and syringe programmes were run on a pilot basis from 1986 until 2006, when they were regularised through the Injection Needle Exchange Act (2006:233).

(3) Number of pharmacies in 2006.

(4) Number of pharmacies in 2009.

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

Sources

Updated according to information in

(1) Structured questionnaire 23 'Prevention of infectious diseases', submitted by NFPs in 2004.

(2) Reitox National Report 2007.

(3) Personal communication, B. Korcisova, 9.3.2005.

(4) Personal communication, H. Stöver, 31.1.2005.

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

(6) Personal communication, M. Camilleri, 14.2.2005.

(7) Coutinho, R. (1995), American Journal of Public Health 85, 1490-1.

(8) Personal communication E. Subata, 28.2.2005.

(9) Personal communication NFP, 11.4.2011.

NSP sites and total number of pharmacies information: Standard table on 'syringe availability' (ST10), submitted by NFPs in 2011 and Reitox National Report 2011.

Page last updated: Monday, 09 July 2012