Needle and Syringe Programs (NSP)

Evaluating Needle and Syringe Programs

Needle and syringe programs are a cornerstone of harm-reduction policy, promoted as an effective way to reduce the spread of blood-borne disease. That claim deserves close scrutiny.

These resources review the evidence on the effectiveness of needle and syringe programs and raise questions that are too often left out of the public debate.

Needle and Syringe Programs

Critical reviews examining whether needle and syringe programs deliver the public-health outcomes commonly attributed to them.

• Lack of Effectiveness by NSP
• Latest Critique of NSP (see pages 15–18)

Asking the Right Questions

Effective drug policy means measuring outcomes honestly rather than assuming them. The critiques collected here encourage policymakers and the public to look closely at the evidence base for needle and syringe programs, and to weigh genuinely prevention-focused alternatives.