Stop stalling, save lives: Canadian prisons need harm reduction services now

On February 3, our newly launched report on how Canada can implement prison-based needle and syringe programs (PNSPs) in federal prisons attracted national media attention. On Point: Recommendations for Prison-Based Needle and Syringe Programs in Canada concludes that PNSPs, which provide sterile injection equipment to prisoners who inject drugs and help prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, are unquestionably feasible in Canada and should be implemented in Canadian prisons without delay. The report, published jointly with Ryerson University’s Department of Criminology and Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN), was based on consultations with key Canadian and international experts, including prisoners and health workers, as well as visits to such programs operating in other countries. Read the full report at http://www.prisonhealthnow.ca/.