Pubdate: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 Source: Herald Sun (Australia) Copyright: News Limited 2000 Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ Author: Elaine Walters EXCHANGE FAILURE NEEDLE exchange is another failed harm minimisation strategy. Not only do we have a problem of inappropriate disposal of syringes, but since the program started there is also a serious problem with hepatitis C infection. In 1998, the British Medical Journal reported a study of a group of drug users attending a needle exchange in Sydney. This group showed an extremely high conversion rate of hepatitis C infection, especially among those under 20. The problem was further exacerbated by the fact that 30 per cent of this group admitted sharing injecting equipment. The original reason for the exchange -- concern over HIV transmission -- is no longer valid because these rates are extremely low, about 4 per cent. These facts bring into question the need for the needle exchange program and its effectiveness. Needle exchange programs, injecting rooms and heroin trials do not receive the support at the World Health Organisation or the UN Narcotic Control Board. So why is the Victorian Government being persuaded to spend millions of dollars on dubious experiments? Elaine Walters is chairwoman of the Drug Advisory Council Of Australia - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk