NEEDLE EXCHANGE RULES RAISE CONCERNS

Public health workers and researchers were among those who voiced
concerns yesterday about regulations the Allegheny County Board of
Health has proposed to oversee needle exchange programs for
intravenous drug users.

Requiring exchangers to divulge their names, addresses and phone
numbers and to disclose information about their HIV, hepatitis B and
hepatitis C status will discourage use of the services, said Renee
Cox, executive director of Prevention Point Pittsburgh.

The regulations also would prohibit users from giving clean syringes,
needles and other equipment to others, a limitation that would
further undermine the program's goal of preventing the spread of
dangerous infectious diseases, she said.

Written comments about the regulations, which can be viewed at
www.achd.com, may be sent until June 30 to the Allegheny County Board
of Health, 3333 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15213; by e-mail to
boh@achd.net; or by fax to 412-578-8325.