Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376

SANE NEEDLES: COUNTY BOARD MUST ACT TO SLOW DOWN AIDS

The recent conviction of a volunteer working with Sacramento Area 
Needle Exchange (SANE) has prompted the organization to look to come 
out into the sunshine. They want the Sacramento Board of Supervisors 
to finally legitimize their valuable public health work. It's time 
for the supervisors to show as much courage as the volunteers who've 
been working to slow the spread of HIV.

In 1994, a majority of the board voted to create a needle-exchange 
program. But a Superior Court judge said handing out needles violated 
existing law. Since then, state law has changed and local governments 
now have the authority to approve needle exchanges by declaring a 
public health emergency. Unfortunately, activists say, there are now 
only two sure-fire supporters of a needle-exchange program left on 
the board -- Roger Dickinson and Illa Collin.

Those opposed to the program don't question whether handing out clean 
needles to drug users reduces the spread of HIV and hepatitis C. 
Dozens of studies have proved the public health benefit of the 
programs. HIV infection rates among intravenous drug users have 
dropped by more than half in the last decade, an improvement that Dr. 
Glennah Trochet, the county's public health officer, attributes 
partly to SANE's efforts.

Instead, opponents charge that exchanging needles will encourage drug 
use. But the studies show that's not true. City and county health 
officials from San Francisco to San Diego believe needle exchange 
programs in their communities have reduced disease transmission and 
helped dispose of dirty needles that would otherwise wind up strewn 
on sidewalks and in parks. The programs also give public health 
workers a chance to speak face to face to addicts about health issues 
and to distribute preventive supplies such as alcohol swabs and 
condoms.

Last time the supervisors dealt with this issue, in 1994, the measure 
passed only after Supervisor Toby Johnson, moved by the testimony of 
needle-exchange supporters, changed his No vote to a Yes at the last 
minute. This year, Dickinson and Collin should place this issue back 
on the agenda and hope one of their colleagues experiences the same 
kind of community-minded epiphany.

Problems? Suggestions? Let us hear from you.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Kirk