New Zealand was the first country in the world to operate a state-sponsored needle exchange programme. Established in 1987 the Needle Exchange Programme is a peer-based and peer-led organisation, and the lead provider of harm reduction services in New Zealand. The programme consists of 20 needle exchanges and 200 pharmacies and provides a range of injecting equipment, harm reduction advice and information for people who inject drugs.

Nueva Zelanda fue el primer país del mundo en operar un programa de intercambio de agujas patrocinado por el estado. Establecido en 1987, el New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme es una organización basada en pares y dirigida por pares, y el principal proveedor de servicios de reducción de daños en Nueva Zelanda. El programa consiste en 20 espacios para el intercambios de agujas y 200 farmacias, y proporciona una gama de equipos de inyección, asesoramiento sobre la reducción de daños e información para las personas que se inyectan drogas.

La Nouvelle-Zélande a été le premier pays au monde à mettre en place un programme d'échange de seringues financé par l'État. Établi en 1987, le New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme est une organisation axé sur les pairs et dirigée par des pairs, et le fournisseur principal de services de réduction des risques en Nouvelle-Zélande. Le programme comprend 20 espaces d'échanges d'aiguilles et 200 pharmacies, et fournit une gamme d'équipements d'injection, des conseils de réduction des risques et des informations pour les personnes qui s'injectent des drogues.

New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme - NZNEP

Prescription opioid use in New Zealand has risen dramatically and doctors are accused of inadvertently creating thousands of addicts, many of whom don't even know they're dependent. In part four of 'The Opioid Chronicles', families and experts plead with the Government to make a life-saving overdose medicine more widely available.

Annabelle's* parents were the ones who found her.

They'd popped around to her Hutt Valley home for a cup of tea, and found her unconscious on her bed.

They'd known for a few months that Annabelle was injecting methadone - her way of dealing with back pain - and figured she'd overdosed, although she'd had time to tidy away her needle and syringe.

Her eyes were fluttering and she was taking deep breaths, giving them hope.

They called an ambulance but when it arrived the paramedics called for another - her parents assume the first crew didn't have the right drugs or equipment for treating overdose patients.

Annabelle, a mother of one aged in her 30s, died in Wellington Hospital the next morning. That was five years ago.

Naloxone can save New Zealands' residents who overdose on opioids, but it's been a struggle to get it into communities

Reforming New Zealand’s “punitive” drug laws - including the decriminalisation of all drugs and introduction of a legal market for cannabis - would benefit the country by at least $450 million a year, according to a cost-benefit analysis commissioned by the Drug Foundation.

The report, produced by economist Shamubeel Eaqub from consultancy Sense Partners, says there would be a net social benefit of at least $225 million from investing an extra $150m in addiction treatment, drug education, and harm reduction interventions.

It estimates there would be a net social benefit of $34m to $83m from replacing the Misuse of Drugs Act, passed in 1975, with a new law based on a health-based approach to the issue.

Creating a legal, regulated market for the purchase of cannabis would bring $185m to $240m in new tax revenue while also saving the justice sector $6m to $13m, the report says.

The release of the report comes as the Government carries out inquiries into New Zealand’s mental health and addiction services, while also preparing for a referendum on legalising the personal use of cannabis by the next election - a commitment in the Greens’ confidence and supply agreement with Labour.

A strong economic case for drug reform in New Zealand

This weekend will mark the 30th anniversary of legislation to support the implementation of one of New Zealand’s most successful public health programmes. The New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme has been leading harm reduction in New Zealand for 30 years.

On 17 December 1987, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce a state sponsored needle exchange programme when parliament passed the Health (Needles and Syringes) Regulations. This Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of this important legislation.

The needle exchange programme facilitatesthe supply of needles and syringes to people injecting drugs in order to minimise the risk of the spread of blood borne viruses. Due to the early introduction of needle exchange, the prevalence of HIV amongst people who inject drugs in New Zealand is relatively low (0.2% compared to 13% internationally).

Needle Exchange is as important today as it was in the 1980’s. Whilst there have been significant advances made in relation to HIV infection within the community, hepatitis C is a significant issue. With new drugs and patterns of injecting drug use, the needle exchange remains as relevant as ever and at the forefront of harm reduction in New Zealand.

As we approach our 30th year we acknowledge the work of all those involved in the early development of the programme, members of the injecting drug using community who mobilised, self-organised and advocated for support for people who used and injected drugs. Members of the gay community, and sex workers supported this early activism.

New Zealand and Australia have led the world in the development of peer based and peer led needle syringe programmes. We now distribute over $3million needles and syringes each year through a national network of dedicated outlets stretching from Whangarei through to Invercargill and a comprehensive pharmacy programme. Today we remain peer led, and peer based, committed to a health, and human rights based service approach for people who use drugs.

Needle and syringe programmes are an important harm reduction intervention. Harm reduction is based on empathy and a non-judgemental approach, working with people where they are at and however they understand their drug use. Injecting drug users frequently experience stigma and discrimination; this can often present a barrier to accessing services. As peers mainly staff our exchanges, we have an established credibility and trust within the community. Needle exchanges are therefore a safe space and an important source of information and advice.

“The principle of nothing about us, without us, for us has driven the development of needle exchange in New Zealand. Today is an important milestone and an opportunity to acknowledge the activists and pioneers from both the injecting drug using and health community who advocated for this important legislation. Because of their hard work and hard won battles, New Zealand today has an enviable record internationally in reducing the spread of HIV amongst those who inject drugs.” Kathryn Leafe – Executive Director NZNEP

New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme - NZNEP

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