Website of the Department of Health

The Department of Health and the National Treatment Agency launched a Harm Reduction Action Plan in May 2007 to help reduce further the number of people dying from drug overdoses or contracting blood-borne viruses from contaminated needles.

Around £2 million is to be spent by the Department of Health on a number of initiatives including:

• Improving data on drug-related deaths and blood-borne viruses
• Guidance for commissioners including the sharing of good practice on the provision of needle exchange services
• Development of training on harm reduction for those working with drug users
• Specific funding for hepatitis B vaccinations within prisons
• A health promotion campaign targeting the most at risk groups, such as homeless drug users and heroin and crack injectors 

• Reducing Drug-related Harm: An Action Plan