|
New
Report
on
Injection-Related
AIDS
Finds
Prevention
Neglected
in
Large
States
and
Major
Cities
11/19/99
PRINCETON, NJ: Drug-injection-related
AIDS continues to spread in the absence of syringe exchange programs.
Many states and cities with the highest rates of injection-related AIDS
do not have these programs, according to a new analysis by the Dogwood
Center.
"Four of the top ten states
with IV-drug-use-related AIDS do not allow needle exchange programs.
None of the states provide adequate needle exchange," said Dawn Day, Ph.D.,
Director of the Dogwood Center, the study's author.
The study is based on a special
analysis of the most recent data -- through 1998 -- obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Injection-related AIDS
cases include persons who inject drugs and their sexual partners.
According to the CDC, half of all new AIDS cases start with sharing syringes.
"New York, which leads the
nation, historically has had the largest concentration of heroin users.
Needle exchange programs in New York City have reduced the per capita HIV
rate. But the number of exchange programs is completely inadequate
to stop the spread of HIV," said Day.
The spread of HIV through
shared syringes has increased for two reasons. First, the price of
heroin has fallen and purity increased, making addiction more rapid and
less expensive. Second, medical advances in AIDS treatment mean persons
who inject drugs and are infected with HIV/AIDS are living longer and continuing
to share needles.
"For effective AIDS prevention,
substantial expansion and federal funding, of needle exchange programs
are urgently needed," said Day.
The full report with additional
key material about each state is available on the Dogwood Center web site
at http://www.dogwoodcenter.org/report.html.
For information on requesting Dogwood Center publications in print, call
(609) 924-4797 or e-mail [email protected].
-- END --
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Issue #116, 11/19/99
Hypocrisy II: More Special Treatment for Politicians' Families | Youth Violence Subcommittee Holds Field Hearing on Heroin Upsurge | Reformers Express Concern to Bolivian Government Over Illegal Arrest of Leonilda Zurita | In Memoriam: Gil Puder | New Mexico: Governor Holds Forum on Legalization, Top Cop Resigns, Republican Chairman Acknowledges Authoring Private Pro-Decriminalization Paper in 1997 | "Judge Judy" on Drug Users and Their Families: "Let 'Em Die" | Student Conference Report | DEA Lifts Hemp Seed Embargo | McWilliams and McCormick to Plead Guilty | Drug Education: New Publication from The Lindesmith Center | Needle Exchange Forum: Newark, New Jersey 20-Nov | New Report on Injection-Related AIDS Finds Prevention Neglected in Large States and Major Cities | Editorial: Guest Editorial: US Senate Should Pass Forfeiture Reform Bill
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