NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM TO BE REVIEWED

Health Minister Don McMorris has launched an independent review of Saskatchewan's Needle Exchange Program to ensure the program is meeting its objectives of service delivery and accountability. The review will be finalized by December of this year.

The review will include examining the current patterns of needle exchange and historical trends, review the literature and best practices for needle exchange programs, and interview program administrators, clients, and other key stakeholders including police, firefighters, schools and other community-based organizations.

"Our government's primary concern is public health and safety," McMorris said. "I have asked that this review begin immediately to ensure that this program is operating as intended and is truly accountable."

The Ministry of Health has hired Laurence Thompson Strategic Consulting to carry out the review of the provincial needle exchange program. Mr. Thompson is the principal consultant of Laurence Thompson Strategic Consulting and has a background in health services research. His previous experience includes interim CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council and CEO of the Health Services Utilization and Research Commission.

Needle exchange programs are intended to reduce the sharing of unclean needles among injection drug users, preventing the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne pathogens. The Ministry of Health provides targeted funding to the regional health authorities for public health initiatives, including the needle exchange program, which is delivered in Saskatchewan by seven health regions, with the largest operations in Regina Qu'Appelle, Saskatoon and Prince Albert Parkland.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: khill@health.gov.sk.ca