Hepatitis C: Riverside County Health Officials Say Injection Drug Users Are Creating An Epidemic Riverside County health officials want to pass out clean syringes to intravenous drug addicts, hoping to slow the killer diseases of AIDS and hepatitis C. Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Feldman expects to ask county supervisors on July 2 to declare a local health emergency. The move is required by state law to allow a needle-exchange program. The climbing rate of hepatitis C, more than AIDS, is driving the proposal. The blood-borne disease attacks the liver and can lay dormant for years. There is no known cure. [continues 1257 words]
PROP. 36: Therapists are pleased, but some officials see hardened criminals avoiding prison. Rodney Martinez, 37, says he has spent much of his adult life messing up, and much of it high on methamphetamine. His rap sheet goes like this, Martinez says. Possession. Under the influence. Possession with intent to sell. Strong-arm robbery. Conspiracy to sell. Possession. "From the day I was 18, I was in andout of jails," Martinez said. Peter Phun/The Press-Enterprise Nicole Chrismon, 33, left, and Elizabeth Millward, 24, are clients at a recovery house who are getting treatment through Prop. 36. [continues 1349 words]
