title: Development of an enhanced needle and syringe programme: the First Step programme pilot.
abstract: The First Step programme is a new approach to needle and syringe exchange services established to help intravenous drug users reduce harmful drug use behaviours, provide psychoeducation and act as a point of transition enhancing access to other health and community services. The First Step assertive treatment approach was implemented in a medium-sized community area health service and evaluated over an 18-month period. A pilot evaluation of staff training was also conducted, demonstrating a significant improvement in staff skills in assertive outreach, needs assessment, engagement, psychoeducation and referral. Measures of drug-related harm showed the benefits of new early engagement-enhancing psychoeducational interventions, with increases in needles distributed and returned and greater referrals to drug and alcohol and other health services. Training needle and syringe workers towards a more assertive community outreach role gives them the ability to provide psychoeducation and harm minimization strategies and act as a conduit for intravenous drug users to enter treatment.
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, University of Wollongon, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudoba
authors.forename: Brin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grenyer
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Toole
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy