HEALTH OFFICER SAYS NEEDLE EXCHANGE NECESSARY

On Tuesday, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will extend the
needle-exchange program for another two weeks.

In January 2000, the board declared a local state of emergency in the
county allowing the Department of Public Health to start a
needle-exchange program.

Dr. Ann Lindsay, health officer for the department, said the program
actually took a few months to be implemented and was officially
started five months later.

"The board has been approving it every two weeks since then," she
said.

Lindsay said the program is necessary in the county and there is
documentation that these types of programs cut down on the spread of
diseases between intravenous drug users.

She said Assemblymember Patty Berg is trying to pass the legislation
necessary to make it permanent so that the board does not have to
continue approving it at regular intervals.

"We are very lucky to have the support of the board," Lindsay
said.

For more information about the needle exchange program, phone the
Humboldt County Department of Public Health at (707) 445-6200.