Needle-Exchange Programs
Many Americans believe that the crisis related to HIV/AIDS epidemic is over — due to the media attention about new treatments and drug protocols that delay the advancement of the disease.
The number of AIDS-related deaths is declining. But one number remains steady — more than 40,000 people a year become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Many of those newly infected are poor and nearly half of them are under 25 years of age. Consequently, our country must use every means possible — including effective needle-exchange programs — to stop new HIV infections.
Needle-Exchange Programs Reduce HIV/AIDS — Without Increasing Drug Use
Under needle-exchange programs, sterile needles or syringes are exchanged for used ones in an attempt to prevent the sharing of injection equipment and the accompanying risk of transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. Research shows that such programs — as part of a comprehensive, HIV-prevention strategy — help reduce new HIV infections without increasing drug use.
Thus, it is important that policymakers at the federal, state and local levels remove the barriers to needle-exchange programs in their communities.
Intravenous Drug Use and HIV/AIDS
- Approximately one-third of reported AIDS cases in the United States occur among injection drug users, their sexual partners and children.
- Nearly 66 percent of new HIV cases are related to injection drug use.
- Three of four AIDS cases among women are linked to injection drug use.
- Seventy-five percent of new HIV infections in children are the result of their parents' injection drug use.
Needle-Exchange Programs in the United States
A key element of needle-exchange programs is the safe disposal of used needles. The programs also offer a variety of services to participants, including referrals to drug treatment as well as HIV counseling and testing.
Despite their efficacy, few needle-exchange programs exist in the United States because many state laws prohibit the possession, distribution or sale of clean syringes. Most of these laws originated to combat illicit drug use, and came into effect before the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
However, more than 100 needle-exchange programs do exist in 40 communities in 28 states — resulting from a variety of legal mechanisms, including exceptions to state statutes, health department waivers and implementation of local states of emergency.
Funding Bans and Other Prohibitions
The U.S. Congress has consistently banned the use of federal funds for needle-exchange programs. Some lawmakers have tried to permanently ban such use of federal funds.
Policymakers have also been successful in restricting the ability of needle-exchange programs to operate in Washington, D.C. In addition, they have banned private organizations from using private funds to operate such programs.
Science Supports Needle Exchange
Many major organizations — after reviewing the research on needle-exchange programs — conclude that they are effective. Among the groups are: the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment; National Academy of Sciences; National Commission on AIDS; the U.S. General Accounting Office; and the University of California, San Francisco.
Several major studies show that needle-exchange programs lower the rate of new HIV infections among injection drug users. A study conducted by Beth Israel Medical Center showed a two-thirds decrease in HIV infections among participants in five New York City needle-exchange programs. The programs also have reduced significantly the infection rates of hepatitis B and C.
No evidence exists that needle-exchange programs lead to increased drug use by exchange clients or in the wider community. Moreover, the exchanges have resulted in making it easier for drug users to access drug treatment
