To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Restore Federal Funding for Syringe Access
We seek the restoration of federal funding of syringe access programs, because needle exchange has a positive impact on reducing rates of new Hep C and HIV infections, and is an essential part of public health.
Why is this important?
Syringe access and exchange programs became a financial priority of the SF Department of Public Health in the 90's as a way of reducing and controlling the spread of HepC and HIV. These programs are mainly run by volunteers, who distribute clean needles, safer sex tools, and other safe drug usage items (ie caps for crack pipes, sterile water and tourniquets, to name a few) to those who want them. Over the years, studies show that the epidemic of new outbreaks has come to a very low and steady number, which can be directly attributed to the success of these programs and the awareness they share.
Syringe access programs can be found scattered nationwide, however, they are very few and far between. In 2009, after decades of fighting for federal funds, a ban was lifted, granting limited funding to programs nationwide. This was a huge success, and opened the doors for more safe access sites where they were needed. Unfortunately, in December of last year (2011), the ban was put back into effect with the government's fear of condoning drug use.
Syringe access programs can be found scattered nationwide, however, they are very few and far between. In 2009, after decades of fighting for federal funds, a ban was lifted, granting limited funding to programs nationwide. This was a huge success, and opened the doors for more safe access sites where they were needed. Unfortunately, in December of last year (2011), the ban was put back into effect with the government's fear of condoning drug use.