HEALTH chiefs are keen to expand their needle exchange service to combat the incidence of dangerous syringes found tossed away by drug-users.

Neighbourhood pharmacies have been recruited across the Fylde Coast to take part in the scheme, but it is entirely voluntary and more are needed, especially in towns like Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood and Kirkham.

NW Lancashire Health Authority supplies the syringes, information packs and disposal bins free to community chemists as part of its battle against HIV, hepatitis and other diseases spread by dirty needles. The bins are collected free and the pharmacists are paid for every needle returned.

But poorly-served areas risk increased health-problems not only for drug-users but children and pets if needles are thrown away in parks or on paths.

Health authority pharmaceutical advisor Malcolm Phillips explained the service has been expanded in Blackpool in the past two years, with five neighbourhood chemists plus the Salvation Army Citadel and Community Drugs Team in Whitegate Drive offering needle exchanges. But Lytham St Annes, Kirkham and Fleetwood have only one each, leading some users to take risks with their habit.

"We are positively trying to recruit more pharmacies - the scheme revolves around community pharmacies," he said.

"We want to make sure there's adequate provision across the whole area, and first the pharmacies have to be willing to participate, then we have to make a decision that there is a need in their area, and thirdly they have to follow the protocols laid down for the service, such as keeping accurate records."

One Blackpool town centre chemist said he had dealt with between 60 and 100 drug-users a week during the summer, some coming from Fleetwood and Lytham, exchanging five or six 25-litre bins of syringes a week.

Needle exchange co-ordinator Christina Ray said the drug-users received 10 needles in each pack, plus 10 swabs and a condom, together with information leaflets and a bag for the safe return of the needles .

"It is proving effective in terms of combating Aids, HIV and hepatitis," she said. "It would appear that people are not afraid to go to their pharmacists for the needles and to bring them back, and it's working very well."

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