Needle ban fight moves to Senate

May 26, 2013 Subject: Dear Senator I applaud efforts to remove the ban on the use of federal funds for syringe exchange programs (SEPs) from the House Labor, Health and Human Services FY 2010 Appropriations bill. Since 1988, the U.S. government has prevented local and state public health authorities from using federal funds for SEPs, which studies have shown to be effective in reducing HIV and hepatitis infection rates among injection drug users, promoting public health and safety by taking syringes off the streets, and protecting law enforcement personnel from injuries. I support full revocation of the federal funding ban to allow local authorities to make their own decisions on how to use evidence based policy to fight HIV and hepatitis epidemics. To that end, I implore you to also work to remove the amendment restricting federal funding to SEPs that operate within 1,000 feet of schools, universities, playgrounds, video arcades or youth centers or an event sponsored by these organizations. If enacted, this provision will dramatically undermine the effectiveness of SEPs. The 1,000-foot restriction, if it stands, would make it nearly impossible to utilize federal resources for SEPs and severely hamper efforts in our communities to implement such programs, particularly in urban areas, where public health officials say they are needed most. For cities, the 1000 foot restriction can eliminate an entire neighborhood from being considered for a federally funded SEP, even when the service may be critically needed. Removing the 1000 foot restriction will in no way require states or localities to implement needle exchange programs; it will simply permit them to use federal HIV prevention funds for this purpose should they so choose, within the context of a broader HIV prevention effort. In those jurisdictions that already have needle exchange programs, local ordinances have determined how these programs should be managed, including deciding issues of location. The federal government should not override local authorities with restrictions made from afar on how these programs should be implemented, and allow local authorities to use these funds to combat HIV and hepatitis in their communities as they deem appropriate. Sincerely, We will add your signature from the information you provide.		First Name* Last Name* Email* Street* Street 2 City* State/Province* Select a state Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces (the) Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Other Zip/Postal Code* Send an Email Send a Fax