SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR CLEAN SYRINGES

Imagine an addiction so strong that every day you crave your IV drug
of choice you put yourself at risk for contracting numerous diseases
such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Many addicts who live in and around our
surrounding communities live this life every day. However, there is a
solution to curb some of the rates for contracting these diseases
among addicts in our community, but we do not embrace it.

House Bill 411 is the Clean Syringe Act and would supply funds for
clean syringes to be exchanged for dirty needles. Community members
need to campaign for this bill to be passed. It will not advocate and
increase the popularity of IV drug use, but more so cut down on the
transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C.

This program has been piloted in several other large communities and
has been very successful. We would all benefit if this bill is
passed, both economically and socially. From a fiscal point of view,
AIDS treatment with the new combination drugs can cost $15,000 a year
per person. The annual cost of a clean syringe program is a fraction
of that amount.

Please reach out to Rep. Thomas Wright of Wilmington, the primary
sponsor of the bill, and help him advocate this bill to be passed. It
will make North Carolina a better place to live.

Heather NeSmith, Fayetteville