IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 2, 2008 Mayor Fenty Announces Local Funding for Needle Exchange to Combat HIV/AIDS Epidemic (Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced $650,000 in District funding for needle exchange programs to reduce HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia. The congressionally imposed ban, in effect for nearly 10 years on the District’s local funding, was lifted in the enactment of the new federal budget. Mayor Fenty outlined a three-part strategy to fight HIV/AIDS among substance users that includes immediate funding for needle exchange programs, HIV testing, and connections to drug treatment, medical care and other support services.  According to the new District of Columbia HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Report 2007, one out of five District residents with HIV/AIDS were infected through intravenous drug use. “For too long the District has not been able to support needle exchange, a proven effective tool to combat HIV,” said Mayor Fenty.  “With the help of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and other members of Congress, the District can now lead the nation in a comprehensive program to reduce HIV and drug use.” At the mayor’s direction, the Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration has been preparing to put the following actions into effect once the ban was lifted: Funding to needle exchange programs - Provide $300,000 to Prevention Works!, the District’s privately funded needle exchange program, to expand its needle exchange and comprehensive substance abuse and HIV prevention efforts, as well as offer technical assistance and training to new organizations. Offer needle exchange funding to programs - Issue a competitive Request for Applications (RFA) to substance abuse, mental health, primary medical care, homeless services and HIV/AIDS providers for $350,000 in funding to add needle exchange to existing programs.  The District will seek a variety of providers and program models.   Comprehensive Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Plan - draft a new Comprehensive Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Plan with the goal of implementation by fall 2008.  Research shows that needle exchange is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive substance abuse and HIV prevention model.   Studies confirm that needle exchange is a vital tool in reducing risky behavior that leads to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne infectious diseases.   The US Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization concluded from peer-reviewed scientific evidence that needle exchange programs achieve multiple successful results: no increase in drug use, decreases in new infections and increases in referral for substance use treatment and medical care. For example, Chicago’s needle exchange program cut new HIV infections attributable to injection drug use in half. The District recently received an improved grade of B+ from DC Appleseed for its preparation to implement needle exchange programs.