needle exchange program
a program to reduce the sharing and reuse of needles by people who take illegal drugs intravenously. Drug users are given the opportunity to trade their used needles and syringes for new, unused equipment without fear of arrest; in some cases, users can receive the clean equipment without trading anything in. These programs often provide drug counseling, HIV testing, and other services as well. They have been shown to reduce the transmission of HIV and hepatitis, but they are criticized by people who believe that they tacitly condone drug abuse. Also called syringe exchange program.