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Sweden's Newest Law Hopes to Prevent the Spreading of Hepatitis C

A law proposal that aims to increase the number of needle exchange programmes in Sweden has been approved.
Photo by Biggishben~commonswiki

Yesterday, the battle to make needle exchange programmes more available in Sweden experienced a breakthrough as a new law proposed by Health Minister Gabriel Wikström was approved by the Riksdag [the Swedish parliament].

Taking effect on March 1, the law will remove city councils' right to decide if clean needles should be available for drug users locally. Now, that decision is up to county councils do decide, covering larger regions.

Annons

Also, the new law means the age limit to get clean needles is lowered to 18 years old instead of the previous age limit of 20 years old. The government hopes the new law will "prevent the spreading of HIV infections and other blood-bourn infections among people who use or are addicted to narcotics."

The National Organisation for a Drug-Free Society (RNS) is against the law. The organisation has worked for Sweden's zero tolerance approach on drugs since 1969 when it was founded by psychiatrist Nils Bejerot. In a written response to the government, RNS state that the argument that needle exchange programmes would reduce blood infections such as hepatitis C and HIV isn't science-based. "[The law proposal] is based on user polls where submitters give their personal accounts on changes in behaviour […] looking at research on blood infections, these changes in behaviour haven't been documented." They also point at Denmark as an example where needle exchange programmes haven't worked. "[In Denmark], 64 out of 98 councils have needle exchange programmes […] and yet, 90 percent of people using narcotics have caught hepatitis C."

According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, almost 2,000 people per year were infected with hepatitis C between 2011 and 2015. Of these, 800 people are believed to have been infected because they've shared needles. It's estimated that between 35,000 and 45,000 people in Sweden currently live with hepatitis C.

Annons

Although the new law on needle exchange programmes aims to reduce blood disease, Health Minister Garbriel Wikström told SVT Nyheter last year that he hopes the law will reduce Sweden's high number of drug-related deaths, too, which currently is the second-highest in Europe. "I hope the new law will make sure more needle exchange centres are set up in the country. I believe this can make us better at reaching out to people living with heavy drug use and help them get healthcare and treatment," Wikström said. Sweden has currently nine needle exchange programmes available in six county councils.

"Needle exchange centres that I've visited offer healthcare. Staff there told me that they're around if I need help. It's where I've been tested for HIV and hepatitis," Max (not his real name), a 24-year-old from Stockholm, told VICE. Max used to inject drugs over an eight-month period. "Without needle exchange programmes, it'd be disastrous for people who use drugs. People would get wounds because they don't know how to get hold of clean tools. You can obviously order tools online, but if you're homeless, you don't really have access to that kind of thing," he said.

In 2015, the Public Health Agency of Sweden recommended that Sweden would make clean needles more available across the country. According to the agency, it's certain that needle exchange programmes will prevent the spreading of hepatitis C.

Annons

"Above anything, a needle exchange programme with testing and advice is a matter of health and disease control. Also, needle exchange supports society's efforts against drugs. By building a relationship based on trust as well as showing that everyone has the right to good healthcare, you can reach out and help people deal with drug dependency, or help them get out of dependency altogether in the long run," Johan Carlson, chairman of the Public Health Agency of Sweden wrote in a statement.

The new law will take effect on March 1, 2017.

Previously: Sweden's Battle Against Drugs and Prejudice

WATCH – Hepatitis Country: Inside America's Opioid-Fueled Epidemic

Copenhagen's New Supervised Injection Site Is Swanky AF