Tallinn's needle exchanges visited 30,000 times in 2015
The three needle exchanges operating in the Estonian capital of Tallinn were visited approximately 30,000 times in total during 2015, issuing approximately 800,000 needles to injecting drug users, it appeared from a survey published by the National Institute for Health Development (NIHD).
The harm reduction service is provided in Tallinn at three locations: Niine 2, Lastekodu 6 and Magasini 32.
The needle exchange run by nonprofit MTÜ Convictus, located on Lastekodu Street, distributed 498,246 needles and accepted 395,869 used needles, which indictes that 80 percent of the needles it distributed were returned as well.
The needle exchange point managed by the nonprofit MTÜ AIDS-i Tugikeskus on Niine Street issued 235,116 needles and accepted 195,440 used needles, or 83 percent of the number of needles issued.
MTÜ Pealinna Abikeskus, which runs the needle exchange located on Magasini Street, issued 53,724 needles and accepted 24,080 needles, or just 45 percent of the needles issued, while working on the streets.
The NIHD purchased the harm reduction service for 411,730 euros.
A survey recently commissioned by the institute recommeded setting up six or seven additional needle exchanges in Tallinn to supplement the three currently in operation.
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS
