HIV activists are mobilizing now to ask the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to vote to remove language in the FY 2010 Labor-Health & Human Services appropriations bill that prevents federal funding from being used by state and local jurisdictions for syringe access. We are very close to having enough votes in the House to achieve this significant change in HIV health policy.  In order to succeed this year, we need to encourage as many members of both houses of Congress as possible to support lifting the ban on federal funding of syringe access.

We at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation know, based on overwhelming research data and our own experience operating one of the nation's largest syringe access programs, that access to clean syringes dramatically reduces the number of new HIV infections and creates sustainable progress against HIV. We ask you to join us in asking Congress to remove the ban on needle exchange funding that is in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill, and allow federal support for a proven health measure for curbing the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and increased access to medical services and drug treatment. Lifting the federal ban on funding syringe access does not require new federal funding, but would allow states to exercise their discretion to use their federal HIV dollars to support these programs if they determine they are appropriate to meet their local needs.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge you to help remove the federal ban on syringe access funding, and thereby support a proven health measure for curbing the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and increasing access to medical services and drug treatment.

Since 1989, Congress has allowed the annual enacting of this ban that prohibits states and local jurisdictions from utilizing any federal dollars for needle exchange programs. This language is again in the President?s proposed Labor HHS appropriations bill for FY10 and I ask that you join your colleagues in removing this provision from that bill.

Also, Representative Jose Serrano has introduced the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention (CAHP) Act of 2009. The CAHP Act will remove legal barriers to federal funding and allow local communities to make the choice of spending federal funds on syringe access programs. As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor this life-saving legislation.

According to data from the National Institutes on Drug Abuse, injection drug use accounts for more than one-third (36 percent) of the estimated 59,000 annual new cases of AIDS in the United States. In the African American community the impact of the federal ban is mind-numbing as up to 42 percent of males and 51 percent of females infected with AIDS is due to the proliferation of shared needles among infected injection drug users. Rigorous scientific research has proven clearly that improved access to sterile syringes through needle exchange programs reduces the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C, without increasing drug use.

Syringe access is widely accepted as part of the AIDS prevention landscape. Yet, the ban on federal funding has resulted in too few programs, too few hours and too few services, creating a dependence on limited private philanthropy. This political obstacle severely constrains one of the most effective strategies for preventing HIV transmission in adults.

Syringe access, also known as needle exchange programs, are a proven and effective means of stemming the spread of HIV and other blood-borne illnesses. Furthermore, it has been shown through accepted scientific research that needle exchange programs do not increase or encourage drug use.

A syringe access program may be the first opportunity for some people to be exposed to any type of health care intervention and provides an avenue of education for risk reduction. It also increases the opportunity to engage individuals in preparation for drug treatment as they reduce their harm related to drugs and paraphernalia use. These programs not only decrease transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and other blood borne illnesses, but also increase safe injecting practices, entrance into drug treatment programs, and safe disposal of used syringes.

Removing the syringe access federal funding ban is a critical step in advancing a national AIDS policy that places saving lives above politics. It provides much-needed resources and access to services for a key at-risk population, and reduces their likelihood of contracting and spreading blood borne diseases.

Please show compassion and fiscal responsibility by co-sponsoring the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act of 2009.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 19, 2009