PALS Link Worker:
Sue Hodges Tel: 020 8869 4500
Service Description
The Sterile Works at Pharmacists Scheme (SWAP) provides clean injecting equipment to intravenous drug users in the borough. Participating pharmacies provide pre-packed bags of equipment and a small sharps bin for safe disposal, with information on safer injecting and getting into treatment. Clients are strongly encouraged to return used injecting equipment to the pharmacy or Harrow Drug & Alcohol Service for proper disposal. A list of the pharmacist is available by phoning the number above.
Sterile injecting equipment is given out to :
- Improve access to clean equipment as a way to reduce drug related harm
- Reduce the number of discarded syringes in the community, to improve public safety
- Reduce the spread of blood bourn virus among injecting drug users ie. hepatitis and HIV
- Reduce the risk of infection, injury and overdose caused by injecting
- Provide local information about treatment services