Syringe Exchange Programs
Sharing syringes and other equipment for the injection of drugs is a well known method of HIV transmission. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a third of HIV infections resulted, directly or indirectly, from injection drug use.
Through syringe exchange programs (sometimes called needle exchange programs), sterile needles or syringes are exchanged for used ones in an attempt to prevent the sharing of injection equipment and the accompanying risk of transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. Extensive research shows that such programs — as part of a comprehensive, HIV-prevention strategy — help reduce new HIV infections without increasing drug use.
According the North American Syringe Exchange Network, more than 200 syringe exchange programs operate in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, there remain significant barriers to operating these programs because many states have laws prohibiting the possession, distribution or sale of clean syringes. In addition, the U.S. Congress, for many years, prohibited the use of federal funds to support any syringe exchange program and even barred the District of Columbia from using its own locally-raised funds to do so. Congress lifted the ban in DC in 2007 and removed the federal funds ban in 2009, however, there may be efforts to reinstate those restrictions in the future.
