News (Media Awareness Project) - US NC: Syringe Bill Divides County Health Board |
| Title: | US NC: Syringe Bill Divides County Health Board |
| Published On: | 2005-03-23 |
| Source: | High Point Enterprise (NC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-16 20:09:17 |
SYRINGE BILL DIVIDES COUNTY HEALTH BOARD
HIGH POINT-County health officials remain split on whether to endorse a
state bill aimed at stemming the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users.
House Bill 411 would allow three counties to establish pilot programs in
which healthcare workers may distribute a clean syringe for each used
syringe they collect from drug users.
The Clean Syringe -Safe Syringe Bill is intended to prevent the spread of
disease among addicts who would reuse and share needles if no clean ones
were available.
While health professionals on the Guilford County Board of Health support
the bill, others have doubts.
"Proponents say the exchanges would save taxpayers money because not so
many drug abusers would have to be treated," Merle Green, interim health
director, told the board Monday in High Point. "Opponents say that addicts
getting clean needles would just use more drugs and that they should go to
drug treatment centers."
If the bill is approved, the state would spend $550,000 per year on the
pilot programs.
The exchanges are widely supported by community activists seeking to help
addicts.
Thelma Wright, co-president of the fledgling N.C. Harm Reduction Coalition,
is an outspoken supporter of the legislation.
"The Surgeon General has said that needle exchange programs do not
encourage more drug use," said Dr. Percy Jones, a health board member
supporting the bill.
Several board members said they wanted to see more information about what
other states do, while others said they don't want to encourage breaking
the law.
Under state law, a person using a syringe can be charged with possession of
illegal drug paraphernalia.
"Private groups sponsoring exchanges are putting themselves at risk," Green
said.
Needle-exchange programs in other states have shown success, Caroline
Moseley, a health department outreach worker, said earlier this month when
the bill was introduced.
Moseley said "a good percentage" of local addicts last year were infected
with the HIV virus by sharing needles during drug use.
HIGH POINT-County health officials remain split on whether to endorse a
state bill aimed at stemming the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users.
House Bill 411 would allow three counties to establish pilot programs in
which healthcare workers may distribute a clean syringe for each used
syringe they collect from drug users.
The Clean Syringe -Safe Syringe Bill is intended to prevent the spread of
disease among addicts who would reuse and share needles if no clean ones
were available.
While health professionals on the Guilford County Board of Health support
the bill, others have doubts.
"Proponents say the exchanges would save taxpayers money because not so
many drug abusers would have to be treated," Merle Green, interim health
director, told the board Monday in High Point. "Opponents say that addicts
getting clean needles would just use more drugs and that they should go to
drug treatment centers."
If the bill is approved, the state would spend $550,000 per year on the
pilot programs.
The exchanges are widely supported by community activists seeking to help
addicts.
Thelma Wright, co-president of the fledgling N.C. Harm Reduction Coalition,
is an outspoken supporter of the legislation.
"The Surgeon General has said that needle exchange programs do not
encourage more drug use," said Dr. Percy Jones, a health board member
supporting the bill.
Several board members said they wanted to see more information about what
other states do, while others said they don't want to encourage breaking
the law.
Under state law, a person using a syringe can be charged with possession of
illegal drug paraphernalia.
"Private groups sponsoring exchanges are putting themselves at risk," Green
said.
Needle-exchange programs in other states have shown success, Caroline
Moseley, a health department outreach worker, said earlier this month when
the bill was introduced.
Moseley said "a good percentage" of local addicts last year were infected
with the HIV virus by sharing needles during drug use.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
