Pubdate: Thu, 09 Mar 2006
Source: Tribune, The (CA)
Copyright: 2006 The Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391
Author: Nathan Welton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

COUNTY TO START NEEDLE EXCHANGE

Officials Hope To Lower Infection Rates Of HIV And Hepatitis C With 
The Help Of Pharmacists

Bull Chaney is one of the estimated 324 people in San Luis Obispo 
County living with HIV.

The Los Osos man and former addict got it from sharing needles in the 
1980s - but he says his life might be different if he'd been able to 
use a needle exchange program, like the one county health officials 
are starting up.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the 
development of a two-pronged attempt to lower the infection rates of 
HIV and Hepatitis C, both of which are frequently transmitted when 
intravenous drug users share needles. HIV is the virus that causes 
AIDS; Hepatitis C is a disease that attacks the liver.

"This is a no-brainer," said Chaney, 49, who's been clean for eight 
years and who has dedicated himself to doing AIDS outreach and 
education for the county. "It's a huge harm reducer for our people 
and our communities."

First, the county will develop a program that will trade used needles 
and syringes for clean ones. The closest such program is in Santa 
Maria, and exchanges have been shown to reduce the incidence of 
Hepatitis C by 50 percent.

Also, pharmacists will be allowed to sell up to 10 needles or 
syringes to adults who don't have prescriptions. Experts say that 
will likely appeal to drug users who manage to cover up their habits 
and who don't want to be seen at public needle exchanges.

They also might provide a way for high school students who are 
injecting steroids to get clean needles.

Critics argue that syringe programs encourage and condone drug use, 
but research shows otherwise.

"Many studies have shown that needle exchange does not recruit new 
injection drug users," said Dr. Greg Thomas, public health director. 
"Syringe exchange programs act as a bridge to get injection drug 
users into treatment and other social services."

A 2003 Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes study of 600 
injection drug users showed that drug use doesn't increase with 
access to clean needles.

And according to a Center for Health Improvement policy brief, 
addicts who used a syringe exchange program in Oakland were twice as 
likely to stop sharing needles after six months when compared to 
those who didn't exchange their needles.

Further, Chaney said, his experience shows that needle exchanges can only help.

A strung-out drug addict won't pass up a chance to get high just 
because he doesn't have a clean syringe, Chaney said.

"It's just the way it is," he said. They'll "get it into their 
systems as fast as they can, whether it's with a new needle or an old needle."

Thomas said many users won't specifically seek help, but needle 
exchanges are beneficial because they introduce users to medical and 
social services experts who can help.

An added advantage, Thomas said, is that needle-stick injuries to 
police officers go down 66 percent following clean-needle programs.

Thomas is expected to present to supervisors a more detailed proposal 
for the exchange program in several weeks.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman