Background on Removal of the Ban

FEDERAL FUNDING AND SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS (SEPS)

HISTORY IN CONGRESS AND ADMINISTRATION

 FY2008 Financial Services bill - Congress removed the ban on the use of Washington D.C.’s own local tax funding for syringe exchange.  FY 2010 Labor-HHS bill Congress removed the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs (SEPs). o Localities must certify no objections from health and law enforcement.  In 2010 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance allowing the use of federal funding for syringe exchange.  In 2011, the US Surgeon General certified that syringe exchange reduces both the rate of HIV infections and substance abuse.  FY 2012 Labor-HHS bill - Congress re-instated the ban on federal funding for SEPs despite scientific evidence showing decreased HIV, viral hepatitis and drug abuse.

STATE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS

 According to the North American Syringe Exchange Network, there are currently 211 syringe exchange programs operating in 32 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Indian Nations.  Seven States and one city were approved by CDC to use their federal HIV prevention funding for SEPs in FY 2010. 20 states and cities had submitted plans to use federal funding for SEPs before the funding ban was reinstated.  With state budget shortfalls, federal funds are critical to ensure that SEPs continue to meet local needs and protect communities.

THE EVIDENCE ON SYRINGE EXCHANGE

 Injection drug use, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C: Injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of infection of HIV and viral hepatitis. Injection drug use accounts for 12-16% of all new HIV infections, or more than 8,000 infections annually, and is the leading cause of new hepatitis C infections. IDUs represent 20% of the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the US and more than 50% of the 3.2 million people living with hepatitis C infection. These epidemics among IDUs have a disproportionate impact on women and communities of color.  Scientific consensus: Numerous scientific studies establish that SEPs are an effective HIV prevention intervention and do not promote drug use. There is increasing evidence that SEPs have the potential to lower infection rates of hepatitis C. SEPs are also an important bridge to drug treatment and other health services. In 2008, CDC concluded that the incidence of HIV among IDUs had decreased by 80% in the US over a 20 year period in part due to SEPs.  Cost effective: Numerous studies have shown that syringe exchange programs are a cost- effective means to lower rates of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, reduce the use of illegal drugs and help connect people to medical treatment, including substance abuse treatment.