BOARD AWAITS NEEDLE DETAILS

The Allegheny County Board of Health postponed a decision about
whether to continue a controversial needle-exchange program and
pledged to pass a smoking ban if the state does not.

A draft resolution to continue the needle exchange needs to be
amended, Dr. Bruce Dixon, Allegheny County Health Department director, said.

The Board of Health declared a public emergency for HIV and hepatitis
C in November 2001. That allowed the county to circumvent a state law
prohibiting distribution of drug paraphernalia and allow Prevention
Point Pittsburgh, a privately funded nonprofit, to set up the
needle-exchange program four months later.

While advocates have pushed for the program's continuation for social
reasons, board members want to ensure a decision is based on public
health issues, Dixon said.

Board members want better statistics on how many people have HIV and
hepatitis C and how many are tested, Dixon said.

Regarding smoking, board members agreed it should be banned in
workplaces, bars, restaurants and other indoor facilities. They
disagreed on whether the county enact such an ordinance.

They voted 5-2 with one abstention to step up lobbying efforts
supporting a statewide ban on smoking in such public places, and to
form citizen focus groups this summer to gather ideas on drafting
legislation for countywide restrictions in case the state doesn't act.