|
Abstract
| Previous research has shown that injection drug use across the country continues to climb. Since the mid-1980s, injection drug use has become a topic of discussion among scholars, law enforcement, and policymakers. One solution implemented nationally over the past three decades are Needle-Exchange Programs (NEPs). NEPs offer a variety of services to injection drug users (IDUs) including providing sterile syringes to users for injection, cookers, tie-bands, cotton swabs, and more, while also providing other resources like condoms, alcohol pads, HIV counseling and testing, and referrals to substance abuse treatment programs. A lack of empirical evidence on NEPs proves troublesome when local communities are making decisions about whether to add or eliminate a needle-exchange program. This study investigated how different perspectives, attitudes, and life experiences of stakeholders who interact directly with IV-users and the local NEP in La Crosse, Wisconsin influence policy decisions in the area. Participants in the study included representatives from the local Police and Fire Departments, the La Crosse County Health Department, a State Representative of the NEP, and a Professor of Health Education at UW-La Crosse. While all participants agreed that drug use and discarded needles were a serious public health concern for La Crosse County, there were clear discrepancies among the stakeholders about how to address prevention and treatment for local users. This study addresses those discrepancies and identifies the most salient solutions offered by the stakeholders to address prevention, addiction, and treatment in La Crosse County. |
|
Use and reproduction restrictions
| This material may be protected by copyright law (e.g., Title 17, US Code). For more information about the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Murphy Library's copyright, fair-use, and permissions policies, please see https://digitalcollections.uwlax.edu/. |
