Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Society's view of addiction problems and their treatment is constantly evolving. This study highlights the experience of counselors, nurses and others with social worker education of the structure of the activities, the practical work and the social work in a medical context. Based on previous research and theoretical concepts, this qualitative study is conducted to gain a more in-depth insight into the practical work of the professions and to create an understanding of the structure of the organization. The reason for conducting this study is also to see similarities and differences in how the employees of the syringe exchange activities experience what social work looks like in a medically permeated workplace. To obtain the empirical data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven different active professions at different needle exchange facilities in Sweden. The results of the study highlight, among other things, the professions' flexibility and broad scope of action, the importance of collegial collaboration for knowledge exchange and support, and the laws and regulations that the activities need to relate to. Conclusions that could be drawn were that the social work at the syringe exchange facilities is also a pervasive part of the work of the professionals and the interventions offered. Similarly, laws and regulations are perceived to be somewhat flexible according to the interviewees and many times solutions are found to ensure the best interests of the patient. Another conclusion is that large parts of the professionals' experiences of the activities support the goal and purpose of the syringe exchange activities in Sweden, i.e. to motivate people to receive care and treatment.