CITY COUNCIL OKS NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Striving to combat the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, the Sacramento
City Council voted Tuesday to allow drug users to exchange dirty
needles for clean ones.

The city's action marked the second time it has taken the lead on a
needle issue in the region. In September, the council voted to allow
drug users to purchase up to 10 needles from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Tuesday's 8-0 vote -- Mayor Heather Fargo was absent -- now sets the
stage for the first needle exchange program in Sacramento County.

"We may never actually win the war on drugs," said Councilwoman Sandy
Sheedy, who led the needle exchange effort. "But we can take steps to
protect the health of our community and residents."

The details of how a needle exchange would operate are still to be
worked out. No plans exist for who would run the exchange or where it
would be located.

Sheedy said the ordinance gives nonprofit and government agencies the
legal backing they need to seek grant funding for a needle exchange.

Administration of any program would be overseen by the Sacramento
County public health department, which doubles as the city's health department.

Health advocates praised the measure, saying needle exchanges are a
proven way to limit the spread of deadly diseases. They also said
exchanges provide an avenue to reach addicts with information about
getting help.

"Scores of studies show that needle exchanges reduce sharing and
other risk behaviors," said Tom Stopka, a research scientist in the
AIDS division of the state Department of Health Services. "They do
not increase crime. They do not increase use."

Needle exchanges have been operating under the radar in Sacramento
for years, health advocates said. About 15,000 residents use
intravenous drugs every day in Sacramento County, according to the
county health department. Those users have a 90 percent chance of
acquiring hepatitis C within one year, if they share or use old syringes.

Contaminated syringes are linked to nearly 20 percent of AIDS cases
in California, according to the California Department of Health Services.

The Sacramento Police Department didn't take an official position on
the exchange.

Jerry Camous, president of the Sacramento Police Officers
Association, cautioned that an exchange could lead to a proliferation
of needles. He said any program should forbid users from receiving
more than one needle for every needle they turn in.

Stopka, the state researcher, said that's not a good idea because
most needle exchanges keep limited hours and if clean needles aren't
available, users might turn to dirty ones.

In September, Sheedy and Robbie Waters were the only council members
to vote against the needle sales proposal. Both said they feared such
a program would lead to discarded needles in parks and public areas.
They backed the needle exchange because it would require drug users
to turn in old needles to receive new ones.

Councilman Kevin McCarty said he hoped the measure would spur other
local governments to reconsider their opposition to such programs.
Folsom, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and Galt have all opposed needle
sales without a prescription. So has the county Board of Supervisors.