Monday, February 15, 2010

No syringe licence for NGO

Irwin Loy and May Titthara

Phnom Penh Post

A LOCAL NGO says some intravenous drug users have resorted to the dangerous practice of sharing needles since its licence to distribute clean needles ended at the beginning of the year, sparking fears that HIV transmission rates among drug users could soar if the situation is left unchecked.

Anecdotal evidence collected by Korsang, a harm-reduction NGO that works with drug users, suggests that some of its clients are again sharing needles after authorities failed to renew its needle and syringe programme (NSP) licence January 1, the organisation said.

“There has been no consistent access to sterile injection equipment since our licence was not renewed,” said Holly Bradford, the group’s founder and technical adviser.

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