PRISONS AND JAILS URGED TO INSTITUTE NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS FOR
INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS

A report is calling for needle exchange programs to be implemented in
Canadian prisons and jails within 18 months to help stem the growing
number of HIV and hepatitis C cases among inmates.

The report by the Canadian HIV-AIDS Legal Network cited evidence from
six countries where prison needle exchange programs are already in
effect, to show the programs don't endanger prison staff or increase
drug use by inmates.

"Outside prison, needle exchange programs have been operating with
government funding throughout Canada since the late 1980s," said Ralf
Jurgens, the network's executive director. "They are generally
regarded as the single most important factor in preventing HIV
epidemics among injection drug users.

The number of known HIV/AIDS cases in federal prisons in 1989 was 14.
That number grew to 251 by 2002.