COUNTY'S NEEDLE-SHARING PROGRAM GETS A BOOSTER

Island County commissioners have renewed a contract to continue to
provide a needle-exchange program for local drug addicts.

The $50,800 contract calls for the Island County Health Department,
in partnership with the Snohomish Health District, to maintain a
County AIDS Task Force, conduct HIV testing and engage in
intervention strategies such as the needle-exchange program.

The bulk of the money will go to counseling and HIV testing; $10,800
dollars will go to the needle exchange.

In the exchange program, "high risk" drug users are offered a trade
of any used hypodermic needles for sterile, unused ones on a
one-for-one basis.

The objective is to stop the spread of disease among intravenous
drug users who typically will reuse or share needles.

The Island County Health Department Web site calls the program, "An
essential part of a comprehensive prevention plan."

Roger Case, Island County health officer, said the needle-exchange
program started in 1995, but he feels that the program may not be as
extensive today.

"I do know that early on, before pharmacies could lawfully provide
needles to anyone requesting them, we had a very busy exchange going
on. I suspect it has dropped off considerably since then," Case
said. Pharmacies were allowed to provide needles starting in 2002.

In Island County the program assists over 100 drug addicts per year
and reaches out to more than 100 more "at-risk" or HIV infected individuals.

Needle-exchange programs do not increase drug use, according to
research studies that have been conducted. Federal studies have
shown that needle-exchange does not increase drug use when conducted
with referrals to both drug treatment and HIV medical care and
support services.

Benefits of the needle-exchange are not easily measured. Some of
those who seek out the exchange program are more transient and do
not return to the program for follow up. Many drug users acquire
needles through pharmacies or other means and therefore
never register with the county.

For more information on Aids Task Force activities,
and opportunities for involvement, call Karen Grossman at 678-7932
or 360-321-5111 ext. 7932