Pubdate: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 1999 San Francisco Chronicle Page: A21 Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Forum: http://www.sfgate.com/conferences/ Author: Marshall Wilson, Chronicle Staff Note: Medical Marijuana information at end. Bookmark: Link to California articles: http://www.mapinc.org/states/ca SAN MATEO COUNTY WARNS OF HEPATITIS C Warned that hepatitis C may be killing more San Mateo County residents than AIDS, county supervisors yesterday agreed to spend $200,000 to test those most at risk. ``Hepatitis C is an epidemic we largely missed and are dealing with after the fact,'' Scott Morrow, the county's public health officer, told supervisors at a hearing in Redwood City. Morrow estimated that up to 13,000 residents may carry the hepatitis C virus, or 10 times as many as those infected with HIV. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Supervisors voted unanimously to start voluntary testing of jail inmates, drug users at needle-exchange programs, patients at the county's AIDS clinics and others considered at high risk for contracting the virus. ``We really need to begin testing,'' said county Health Services director Margaret Taylor. ``We don't want the disease to spread any more.'' Public health counselors will attempt to persuade inmates and others that taking the voluntary test ``is the right thing to do,'' Taylor said. Anyone with the virus is warned that alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco severely worsen the already deadly liver damage the virus can cause. In addition to testing, money will also be spent on an education campaign to warn of the dangers of hepatitis C and to train health care providers. Information about hepatitis C will also be included in an AIDS education course given in schools. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, at least 2.7 million Americans carry the hepatitis C virus, making it the most common blood-borne infection in the United States. About 12,000 people now die each year in the United States from the virus, a number that is expected to rise to 38,000 in 11 years. County officials estimate that hepatitis C is responsible for up to 50 deaths a year, compared to about 20 to 30 from AIDS-related illnesses. Still, San Mateo County officials said a study is needed to assess the scope of the problem and then to develop further plans to combat the spread of the disease. People who share needles or have unprotected sex account for the majority of those with the virus. Like those infected with HIV, people with hepatitis C can look and feel healthy for years. The county is not going to expand treatment programs, although health officials warned that may soon be necessary. Unlike AIDS treatment, no money is available for testing and treatment for hepatitis C from the state and federal government, officials said. Meanwhile, Morrow told supervisors he expects to submit a proposal to federal regulators by Friday to conduct research into medicinal use of marijuana. Under the proposed study, 60 people with AIDS would smoke marijuana over 12 weeks. The study would seek to conclude whether the participants can follow the strict rules for when to smoke the drug and refrain from smoking marijuana bought on the street, Morrow said. Whether the drug proves effective at easing pain and counteracting the physical wasting associated with AIDS treatment would not be the focus. Instead, the program would lay the foundation for studies that would assess the effectiveness by showing if participants can meet the requirements necessary to conduct a thorough study, Morrow said. The county needs approval from the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse before going forward with the study. Despite California voters approval of a 1996 proposition to legalize marijuana for medical use, the drug remains illegal under federal law. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake