Reaching the unreached: targeting hidden IDU populations with clean needles via known user groups

Needle exchange is a practical and important part of the Dutch prevention strategy to check the spread of HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs). However, needle-exchange programs are often tied to drug treatment programs that only reach a limited number of IDUs. To overcome this limitation, alternative designs are considered and initiated. This article describes a community-based approach to needle exchange that is built on empowerment of, and intense participation by, known IDUs to target unknown IDUs for delivery of clean needles. The needle-exchange patterns of the IDUs participating in this collective scheme are compared to those of other users who exchanged needles on an individual basis. It was found that this approach extended the reach of the program to a great degree and that it was well received in the IDU community. However, the results were negatively influenced by police activities aimed at closing down places where drugs were used and sold. It is concluded that engaging IDUs in peer-group-directed prevention efforts is both feasible and promising.