Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005
Source: Greensboro News & Record (NC)
Copyright: 2005 Greensboro News & Record, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.news-record.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/173
Author: Mark Binker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

ADVOCATES PUSH BILL ON NEEDLE EXCHANGE

RALEIGH -- Advocates of a plan to make needle exchange programs for 
intravenous drug users legal met with several Guilford County legislators 
Thursday afternoon, hoping to enlist their support to champion the bill in 
the General Assembly.

The meeting came four days after the Guilford County health board voted 8-1 
to ask the General Assembly to create a state-funded program to give drug 
users the chance to exchange dirty needles for clean ones.

Three Guilford legislators have already lent their support to the bill as 
co-sponsors: Reps. Alma Adams, Maggie Jeffus and Earl Jones, all Democrats.

Such programs, which are now illegal in the state, are aimed at curbing the 
spread of diseases, primarily HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Needle exchange is often controversial, sparking opposition from those who 
say it encourages drug use.

"We're not telling them to use the drugs, but we want you to stay safe so 
you have a reason to stop," said Thelma Wright, co-chairwoman of the N.C. 
Harm Reduction Coalition. She told Guilford's legislators that the cost 
proposed in the pending bill -- about $550,000 during three years -- was 
small compared with that of treating AIDS cases.

"We're talking about stopping infection in its tracks," said Caroline 
Moseley of the Guilford County health department.

The meeting with Moseley and Wright came Thursday afternoon, a time of week 
when most legislators rush back to their districts. Adams attended for a 
short time, while Jeffus, Democratic Rep. Pricey Harrison and Republican 
Rep. Laura Wiley stayed for about 45 minutes. None of Guilford County's 
senators attended.

Jeffus and Harrison offered help finding leaders of the House 
appropriations committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill. Wiley left 
for High Point and, when reached on her cell phone later, said she was not 
committed to backing the bill.

"I've got to talk to some more people before I do that," Wiley said. "I 
haven't had much of a chance to explore the other side."

The bill is limited. It would only pay for three counties to carry on a 
study program. In addition to Guilford, Buncombe County in the western part 
of the state also has asked to participate.

Wright said she hoped to find a county in the eastern part of the state to 
participate.

In addition to providing funding, the measure would exempt the needle 
exchange programs from the state's drug paraphernalia laws that make 
dispensing needles illegal. Despite the legal obstacles, there is a 
functioning needle exchange program in High Point.

Moseley said that the injection method of taking illegal drugs was 
spreading beyond heroine. Crack and methamphetamine can both be injected to 
create a bigger high, Moseley said.

With more drug users using needles, more are at risk for contracting HIV, 
she said.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman