Programs

Harm Reduction- Needle and syringe program is the 3 years’ program implemented by STEPS

Tanzania in Kinondoni and Ubungo municipalities with support from Global fund under DCEA. This agreement was made on the 1st of January 2021 between STEPS Tanzania and DCEA to implement intervention on “Harm Reduction- Needle and Syringe in Dar es Salaam Region.

This project is in line with STEPS Tanzania Strategic Objectives since primarily aims to contribute to the government efforts for reducing the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses caused by the sharing of contaminated injecting equipment’s. Interventions also work to reduce other harms associated with injecting drug use by providing: -

• Advice on safer injecting practices
• Advice on minimizing the harm done by drugs
• Advice on how to avoid and manage an overdose
• Information on the safe handling and disposal of injecting equipment
• Referrals to HIV testing and treatment services
• Screening for other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and tuberculosis (TB)
• help to stop injecting drugs, including access to drug treatment (such as opioid substitution therapy) and encouragement to switch to safer drug taking practices
• links to other HIV prevention interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and free condoms
• Referrals to other healthcare services, wider psychosocial support and counselling.

The project objectives are to:

1. Increase access of people who inject drugs (PWID) to quality, comprehensive HIV prevention and harm reduction services in selected wards in Kinondoni and Ubungo Municipals.
2. Empower Communities of people who inject drugs (PWID) to meaningful involve in the project planning, design, implementation and evaluation of Needle and syringe program.
3. Distribute sterile needle and syringe for people who inject drugs in selected wards in Kinondoni and Ubungo.
4. Sensitize communities and stakeholders on Harm reduction services for People who inject drugs.