RSPH

Needle exchanges started in the 1980s as a controversial health improvement initiative, but thirty years on, they are now a proven way of reducing ill health amongst the poorest and most in-need sections of the community. A 2004 report from the World Health Organisation found that needle exchanges had significantly reduced HIV infection and there was no evidence that they encouraged drug usage.

Needle exchange services are provided by a range of different organisations in a number of different ways, so best practice and new initiatives need to be widely shared. Working partnerships should be established and maintained between organisations to allow this communication to happen. Some fantastic work is being done up and down the country and this conference will allow this best practice to be publicised, with the practitioners responsible available for questions and comments.

The conference will also look to the future. New challenges for needle exchange programmes will always appear, whether they are caused by new drugs, changes in injecting habits, or different clients. All these possibilities need to be considered and assessed and the conference will discuss solutions and future initiatives, such as the advantages and disadvantages of assisted injecting rooms.

Who should attend?

• Those working in or with needle exchange units
• Drug advice workers
• Those working in harm reduction initiatives
• GPs
• As the conference will deal with an important and relevant issue in today’s society, it would be of interest to anyone working in or with an interest in front-line public health initiatives.

Please note: places can only be reserved on receipt of a completed booking form. Download the   Sharps Booking Form 2010   Places are only guaranteed upon receipt of payment.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Tatman, Conference and Event Officer on 020 3177 1614 or jtatman@rsph.org.uk  

Early bird discount available - book before 9th April 2010!

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Venue: The course will take place at 28 Portland Place, London W1. Nearest underground stations are Great Portland St and Oxford Circus; both are within easy walking distance.

Programme information: Registration from 9.00am to 9.30am. Meeting starts at 9.30am. Close at 4.50pm.

Enquiries: Please contact Jennifer Tatman on 020 3177 1614 or jtatman@rsph.org.uk  

Continuing Professional Development: CPD credits are currently being sought for this meeting.

Book before 9th April 2010 for the Early Bird discount!

Fees: (no VAT payable)
RSPH Members: £154 (Early Bird: £140)
Public sector and charities: £182 (Early Bird: £165)
Private Sector (Non-Members): £248 (Early Bird: £225)

Cheques must be made payable to RSPH. Please note, places are guaranteed only upon receipt of payment and payments must be received by the RSPH 4 weeks prior to the course.

Cancellation: Substitutions can be made at any time.
If notification is received 8 weeks prior to the course, a full refund will be made minus an administration charge of £40. Cancellations received after this time will receive no refund. Please note that notification of cancellation must be made in writing. The organisers reserve the right to change the timings and/or identity of the speakers.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Tatman on 020 3177 1614 or at jtatman@rsph.org.uk

To book, please download and complete the   Sharps Booking Form 2010

Supported by