NEEDLE EXCHANGE PLAN APPROVED BY SUPERVISORS

The first needle exchange program in the county was given the OK Tuesday by
the Board of Supervisors.

A local medical emergency was declared by the board, a procedural step
needed to authorize a program where intravenous drug users can legally
exchange dirty needles for clean ones.

This is to stem the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis
B and C, and HIV.

Now the nonprofit Pacific Pride Foundation can proceed with making
arrangements to start the program, probably this fall.

The program will be paid for through private donations, at no cost to the
county.

Sterile needles would be distributed in exchange for used needles strictly
on a one-to-one basis.

Similar programs are in place in cities around the country.

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