Pubdate: Sat, 10 Jun 2006 Source: Scotsman (UK) Copyright: 2006 The Scotsman Publications Ltd Contact: http://members.scotsman.com/contact.cfm Website: http://www.scotsman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) LOST NEEDLES SPARK FEARS OF HEPATITIS C ONE in three used needles may have been dumped by heroin addicts in the Lothians last year, sparking fears of a spread of diseases such as hepatitis C. New figures show that in the Lothians more than 279,000 needles were issued, but only 82,262 returned - leaving almost 200,000 unaccounted for. There are around 51,000 heroin addicts in Scotland, 30,000 with the highly infectious hepatitis C. Executive guidelines advise drug workers to give addicts new needles in exchange for dirty ones to prevent them sharing and spreading hepatitis C, while preventing dirty needles from being discarded in streets and parks. A spokeswoman for the Executive, which insisted many needles dumped in special safe bins were not counted, said: "Guidance makes clear a requirement to return used equipment for safe disposal before fresh equipment is issued. Drug workers do, however, need the flexibility to use their judgement when dealing with people with chaotic lifestyles." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman