Needle exchanges prevented 32,000 HIV cases: report

[depakid]

Source: ABC

A new report has found needle and syringe exchange programs have directly prevented tens of thousands of cases of HIV and hepatitis C. There are nearly 1,000 sites around the country where clean needles and syringes are handed out to drug users. Researchers from the University of New South Wales, who authored the report, say it is also saving on health costs. For every $1 spent on needle and syringe exchange programs, state and federal governments save $4.

In the heart of Sydney's Kings Cross there are two spots where clean needles and syringes are handed out. The director of the Kirketon Road centre, Dr Ingrid van Beek, says the range of people who come to needle syringe programs is quite surprising.

"Of course the more drug-dependent person that you see on the streets, and I think most people assume that's the only sort of person that injects drugs," she said. "But we see people from tradesmen through to professionals, people from the arts. It's really very wide." The report has found the 30 million needles and syringes distributed every year in Australia since 2000 have directly prevented more than 32,000 cases of HIV infection and close to 100,000 cases of hepatitis C, representing a saving in healthcare costs of more than $1 billion.

Associate Professor David Wilson led the team which completed the report. "Not only do these programs save people from dying, but they also save Australians a load of money," he said.

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/22/2720820.htm?section=justin

[pinto]

1. Always good to see more data supporting syringe exchange programs.

And I really appreciate that they included the health care savings that SEP's represent to communities. It's one of those "selling points" most SEP's have to incorporate into their public policy advocacy.

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the post.

[babylonsister]

2. Very impressive-rec'd. nt

[Union Yes]

3. I support needle exchange because it works! NE prevents the spread of HIV. knr

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Sadly, US Federal funds are not legal to use for exchange

programs. The President says he favors it, but he still left Bush era rules in place which ban funding for needle exchange. It is more pandering to insane religious people. It really gets old, favoring things then doing the opposite because others don't favor it. Getting old and deadly.

[Flaneur]

5. Big push on right now to get federal funding, but there's a hitch.

The Senate version of the appropriations bill doesn't have it, but that's not a problem, they will do it in conference committee.

The House version of the bill lifts the ban on funding, but includes a 1000-ft. exclusion zone around schools, parks, etc. That effectively excludes needle exchanges in most urban areas.

Proponents think they can funding without the exclusion in conference committee. Fingers crossed.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. I can't tell you enough how I love seeing positive articles regarding SEP programs

This is one of those things which can have a great impact on lives throughout the US if society as a whole could learn the value and embrace it.

K&R and thank you for posting.

[harry_pothead]

7. But no evil government program could possibly work. Talk radio told me so this morning.

[Vidar]

8. Bravo Australia!