December 31, 2007

D.C. Funds Needle Exchanges to Fight HIV

Aiming to cut the District of Columbia’s HIV infection rate—the highest in the United States—President George W. Bush signed a $555 billion federal spending bill on December 26 that includes a provision permitting the district to use city funds to start needle exchange programs, the Associated Press reports (ap.google.com, 12/27).

The article quotes district congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who says that $1 million of the spending bill will fund the needle programs. Norton claims in the story that the ban on city-funded programs has contributed to the rapid spread of HIV throughout the city, where an estimated 20 percent of new infections are attributed to needle sharing.

In 1998, the Associated Press adds, Kansas representative Todd Tiahrt and Missouri senator John Ashcroft blocked city funding for needle exchange programs, citing Canadian reports that suggested that they were ineffective in preventing HIV transmission and that they may contribute to drug overdoses. Authors of those studies have subsequently said that Tiahrt and Ashcroft misunderstood their findings.

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

kenman, Albuquerque, NM, 2008-01-03 09:58:39
New Mexico has a successful syringe exchange program that has made a huge difference in the lives of IDU's throughout the state. Not only has it affected the drop in HIV transmission, but also Hep C. IDU's can receive overdose prevention and safer injection trainings. Those who inject can opt to learn how to use Narcan to further prevent overdose. Our IDU community feels better about obtaining basic medical care and gets treated withthe dignity they deserve. GO DC!!!

Alfredo Santiago, Baltimore, 2008-01-01 20:37:02
This is such a progressive prevention action. I wish I could say it was proactive, but there are many infected and affected people as a result of this funding not being alocated in the past. Nevertheless, I hope other cities follow the lead of Washington, D.C. and offer funding for needle exchange programs.