Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2006
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2006 PG Publishing
Contact:  http://www.post-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341
Author: Antoine Douaihy, M.D.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n402/a03.html

DISEASE CONTROL

Recent doubts have emerged about the utility and efficacy of 
Pittsburgh's privately funded needle exchange program, Prevention 
Point Pittsburgh ("Pointed Debate," April 3).

The program provides injection drug users with sterile injection 
equipment, along with referrals to drug treatment programs, access to 
health care and other social services, on-site counseling and testing 
for HIV and hepatitis C in an effort to markedly reduce the spread of 
the two diseases.

Syringe exchange programs are better understood as public health 
policy. It is simply old-fashioned infectious disease control; to 
assume that there is not enough evidence to support the benefits of 
these programs is flatly wrong. Scientific, medical and legal bodies 
studying the issue have concluded that improved access to sterile 
syringes can be a practical and effective method to reduce the spread 
of HIV and hepatitis C. Overwhelming evidence and support from the 
scientific community have shown that needle exchange programs do not 
promote substance use. In fact, programs when linked to other 
services, as is the case with Prevention Point Pittsburgh, can even 
assist patients in breaking the cycle of substance use and save lives.

I would be deeply troubled and worried about my patients if the 
Allegheny County Health Department would take away the major 
treatment resource and hope for recovery that is the Prevention Point 
Pittsburgh program. Losing that service would no doubt lead to more 
human suffering resulting from increased HIV and hepatitis C 
infections, the related health-care costs and deaths.

ANTOINE DOUAIHY, M.D.

Medical Director, Addiction Medicine Services

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Oakland
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman