title: Needle exchange programs benefit the community.
abstract: Needle exchange programs, illegal in many communities, provide HIV-prevention services to a hard-to-reach population--injection drug users (IDU). Reaching IDUs, who are among society's most at-risk members for HIV infection, protects the health of the community at large.
authors.affiliation: San Diego Clean Needle Exchange, CA, USA.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Whitteker
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D003219:Confidentiality; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000592:standards*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous