Heroin and drug addiction Two hands holding a hypodermic syringe obtained through a syringe exchange service at a drug dependency unit in England. (more) syringe exchange service Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/syringe-exchange-service Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: needle and syringe exchange program, needle exchange program Written by Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct. 16, 2025 •Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot syringe exchange service, public health resource allowing individuals who inject drugs to switch out used syringes and needles for new, sterile drug injection equipment. Such services are a critical component of harm reduction strategies, helping to minimize the negative impacts of drug use, particularly the spread of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis. Syringe exchanges originated in Amsterdam in the early 1980s, a time when restrictions on buying or possessing syringes severely limited access...

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