Pubdate: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) Section: Health and Science Copyright: 2002 PG Publishing Contact: http://www.post-gazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341 Author: Laura Horowitz, Prevention Point Pittsburgh Board of directors Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) FREE, LEGAL NEEDLES DO MUCH MORE GOOD THAN HARM We at Prevention Point Pittsburgh would like to respond to the letter written by Mildred Kebe regarding our provision of clean injection equipment for IV drug users. First, we would like to make it very clear that Prevention Point Pittsburgh is not supported by any taxpayer funds, at the city, county, state or federal levels. Every penny of our budget comes from private foundations and individual donations. Second, what the Allegheny County Board of Health has done is allow us to operate a legal syringe exchange for the purpose of reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. The board found that a health-care emergency exists in Allegheny County regarding these diseases, which are most easily spread by the sharing of needles and other injection equipment. We are sure that the citizens of Allegheny County would rather see the transmission of these diseases slowed by the provision of a 70-cent needle than to pay the costs of health care for those who may end up contracting HIV or hepatitis C. In Pennsylvania, one must have a prescription to purchase syringes. Our exchangers come to us to get clean equipment because there is no other legal way for them to obtain it. Ms. Kebe raises a point that is not new to us. We do not ask people who come to our exchange why they want clean needles. In fact, we have provided syringes to diabetics and will continue to do so if asked. Diabetic people in Allegheny County who are unable to afford clean syringes have our full support in their efforts to correct this situation. Everyone deserves comprehensive health care. The cost of providing clean syringes for diabetics is considerably less than the costs of treating the conditions resulting from reusing needles. We hope that Ms. Kebe and others like her are successful in their endeavor to close this gap in health care. Laura Horowitz Prevention Point, Pittsburgh Board of directors