Syringe Exchange
Syringe exchange programs provide clean needles to injection drug users in order to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C infections. U.S. governmental studies have proven that syringe exchange programs save lives and money, and also connect drug users to care. Cities with syringe exchange programs, such as New York, have lowered HIV incidence among people who inject drugs by 80 percent.
Activists have spent years trying to get the federal government to lift its ban on the use of federal funds for syringe exchange programs precisely because those programs are proven to dramatically reduce the spread of HIV.
In the summer of 2009, the House of Representatives took a step toward lifting the ban but proposed an absurd restriction: The bill would include an amendment to deny federal funds to any syringe exchange program within 1,000 feet of a school, recreational center, daycare, playground, video arcade, or anywhere groups of children may go on even an occasional basis.
For almost every existing syringe exchange project—including Housing Works’ syringe exchange programs— this rule would prohibit the programs from receiving federal funding.
The House and Senate will be voting on the final version of the bill in September 2009.
How Can You Help?
- E-mail your senators and tell them to fully lift the federal ban on syringe exchange funding.
- Support our advocacy work by becoming a Housing Works member
- Subscribe to our AIDS Issues Update e-newsletter to stay current on the issues and receive action alerts
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Published weekly, the AIDS Issues Update is your inside source for in-depth activism news.
Contact
Send thoughts and story tips to j.turkewitz@housingworks.org
