Pubdate: Fri, 9 Apr 2010 Source: Record, The (Hackensack, NJ) Copyright: 2010 North Jersey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.northjersey.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/44 Photo: For trade in Paterson program. http://www.mapinc.org/images/needles.jpg Referenced: The report http://www.state.nj.us/health/aids/documents/nj_sep_evaluation.pdf Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) A SOUND INVESTMENT THERE'S NO way around the fact: The state of New Jersey was a latecomer in regard to needle exchange programs meant to fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS and to serve as a bridge to drug treatment, even though such programs have long proved successful across the country and around the world when incorporated into a more comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. In recent weeks, though, we have learned that 2006 legislation to start such programs within the state, the Blood-Borne Disease Harm Reduction Act, is beginning to bear results. In a report released by the state Department of Health and Senior Services, data show that New Jersey's so-called sterile syringe access programs are a success at five pilot sites where they have been introduced. Researchers say the clean syringe programs show "beneficial outcomes in terms of reducing HIV risks and increasing access to drug treatment." The independent evaluation, commissioned by the health department, was conducted by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Among the notable numbers: * 4,482 participants enrolled in the five programs between November 2007 and December 2009. * 998 participants were successfully enrolled in drug treatment programs. * Seven mothers and their children were reunited through services provided by the program. All this is heartening news for those hoping to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other diseases through contaminated needles. It's no secret that intravenous drug use is directly linked to New Jersey's high rates of HIV infection. According to several health studies, New Jersey ranks fifth highest nationally in terms of AIDS cases, and has recorded more than 70,000 cases in the past three decades. The state also is home to the highest number of pediatric HIV cases and the highest proportion of HIV infections among women. The clean syringe exchange programs might not turn these numbers around overnight, but the early verdict is that the pilots are making progress in urban centers such as Camden, Newark and Paterson. The report makes a convincing argument to continue the effort, and follows with a plea to find secure funding. Currently, the pilot programs are surviving mostly on small, time-limited foundation grants. Some relief may soon be coming from Washington. Congress lifted a federal funding ban on syringe exchange in December. We would encourage the state to vigorously seek out any federal monies that might become available, to allow these five pilot programs to survive. The programs are making a difference in people's lives, preventing the spread of AIDS and offering intravenous drug users what report authors call "a safe gateway to treatment." Jerome King, executive director of the Well of Hope Drop-in Center, Paterson's syringe exchange program, makes the case most clear: "A clean needle costs about 10 cents. Lifetime HIV care costs more than $618,000. There isn't a better investment the state could make." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake