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." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake