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