| The US Global AIDS Plan |
UPDATE 7/28: The Senate has included the ban on funding syringe exchange in their LHHS Appropriations bill. It will be critical that the Conference Committee that reconciles the House and Senate versions adopt the House version, but removes the 1,000 foot restriction.
UPDATE 7/21: The House bill passed by the Appropriations Committee last Friday includes a damaging restriction on how syringe exchange funding can be used. It mandates that no federally-funded syringe exchanges can operate within 1,000 feet of a school, park, pool, daycare center, video arcade, or other similar places. This essentially amounts to a ban on funding of syringe exchange programs in urban areas, and must not be included in the Senate version of the Appropriations bill.
Click here to download a sample letter to the editor to submit to your local paper, and talking points to use if you need them.
July 17, 2009
As we work to lift the ban on funding syringe exchange, feel free to use the facts below in your calls, emails and letters calling for an end to the funding ban.
- Lifting the ban does not mean the government will spend more money, but allows localities to determine how HIV prevention funds will be spent.
- Cities with operating syringe exchange programs have lowered HIV incidence among people who inject drugs by 80%.
- Syringe exchange programs are cost effective, and save as much as $50,000 per HIV infection prevented.
- Syringe exchange programs do more than just distribute syringes; they link people into the healthcare system and drug treatment programs.
- Every medical and scientific body that has studied syringe exchanges has concluded that syringe exchange programs are essential, including the AMA, CDC, WHO, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and others.
- Eight government-funded reports have found syringe exchange programs do not increase drug use. None have contradicted this finding.
- SEPs are a cornerstone in prevention efforts to protect the health and safety of the public and police officers by helping to reduce the transmission of blood borne diseases including HIV/AIDS in communities across the country.
- 8,000 or more people are infected with HIV each year as a result of injection drug use (12-16% of new infections).
- The majority of people with Hepatitis C are infected as a result of sharing needles.
- SEPs promote public health and safety by taking needles off the streets. Syringe exchange programs reduce the risk of accidental needle stick injuries, especially to police and children.
- Syringe exchange programs operate in 185 locations across 36 states, DC and Puerto Rico. But these programs are constrained by limited funding options and not able to reach everyone in need.
- President Obama has said he’s in favor of federal funding of syringe exchange. The Drug Czar has also spoken in favor of syringe exchange.
For more information, you can download these fact sheets:
- Cost-Effectiveness of Syringe Exchange Programs | download
- List of Government Studies in Support of Needle Exchange | download
- Background on Removal of the Ban on Use of Federal Funding for Syringe Exchange | download
- Syringe Exchange Programs and Substance Abuse Treatment | download
- Background on the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act, w/ basic talking points on syringe exchange | download
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