Pubdate: Wed, 12 Apr 2006
Source: Whidbey News-Times (WA)
Copyright: 2006 Whidbey News Times
Contact:  http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2099
Author: Rick Wood

COUNTY'S NEEDLE-SHARING PROGRAM GETS A BOOSTER

Island County commissioners have renewed a contract to  continue to 
provide a needle-exchange program for local  drug addicts.

The $50,800 contract calls for the Island County Health  Department, 
in partnership with the Snohomish Health  District, to maintain a 
County AIDS Task Force, conduct  HIV testing and engage in 
intervention strategies such  as the needle-exchange program.

The bulk of the money will go to counseling and HIV  testing; $10,800 
dollars will go to the needle  exchange.

In the exchange program, "high risk" drug users are  offered a trade 
of any used hypodermic needles for  sterile, unused ones on a 
one-for-one basis.

The objective is to stop the spread of disease among  intravenous 
drug users who typically will reuse or  share needles.

The Island County Health Department Web site calls the  program, "An 
essential part of a comprehensive  prevention plan."

Roger Case, Island County health officer, said the  needle-exchange 
program started in 1995, but he feels  that the program may not be as 
extensive today.

"I do know that early on, before pharmacies could  lawfully provide 
needles to anyone requesting them, we  had a very busy exchange going 
on. I suspect it has  dropped off considerably since then," Case 
said. Pharmacies were allowed to provide needles starting in  2002.

In Island County the program assists over 100 drug  addicts per year 
and reaches out to more than 100 more  "at-risk" or HIV infected individuals.

Needle-exchange programs do not increase drug use,  according to 
research studies that have been conducted.  Federal studies have 
shown that needle-exchange does  not increase drug use when conducted 
with referrals to  both drug treatment and HIV medical care and 
support services.

Benefits of the needle-exchange are not easily  measured. Some of 
those who seek out the exchange  program are more transient and do 
not return to the  program for follow up. Many drug users acquire 
needles through pharmacies or other means and therefore 
never  register with the county.

For more information on Aids Task Force activities, 
and  opportunities for involvement, call Karen Grossman at  678-7932 
or 360-321-5111 ext. 7932
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman