FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

47 disagreed with the Kanawha- Charleston Health Department’s report to recommend closure of the program citing flaws in the study’s criteria. Fourth, in some areas, increased restrictions on programs has resulted in less participation. Although the incidences of HIV are down from historical trends officials have reported increased incidences of HIV due to the restrictions. Strict personal identification, limits on needles, inability to remain anonymous, and confusion among other groups such as the homeless have been contributors to less participation. Closure will not eliminate drug use. Well informed, not emotion-driven lawmakers need to make the right decision on protecting the public while addressing the larger context of the substance abuse crisis. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) and experts, exchange program users are more likely to enter drug treatment, stop injecting drugs, and three times more likely to stop using drugs. WV legislators should enhance, not eliminate needle exchange programs. Poor decisions will have unintended consequences. It takes time for the benefits to be achieved. Exchange programs are a critical component of the continuum of substance abuse programs and services. Lawmakers should learn about the realities people face who inject drugs. Lawmakers should question inaccurate reporting, especially isolated incidents and those who attempt to subvert public health best practices and human-centered options. Citizens should demand lawmakers enhance the continuum of substance abuse services, not eliminate parts such as needle exchange programs. Citizens should question lawmakers on all related proposals such as WV Senate Bill SB 286, especially when they lack facts and are based on emotion, isolated incidents, and misinformation. Citizens should insist on the application of evidence and best practices to ensure access to the entire continuum of substance services: health promotion, prevention, early intervention, community-based, outpatient, residential treatment, and hospitalization of which needle exchange programs are a pivotal part of. Rather than eliminate needle exchange programs, an action plan should be pursued. Counties throughout the US are implementing or reviving their programs based on facts and evidence, not emotion and isolated incidents. They’ve learned their lessons on closure and overcame unfounded fears. Quick wins include 1) Reviving and enhancing programs to reduce spread of diseases based on standards and best practices, 2) Moving programs away from businesses or high traffic areas, but keep them visible and accessible, and 3) Ensure program managers enforce the responsibility of users to ensure syringes are properly disposed of and refer users to the appropriate services. Long term plans should include 1) A cost-benefit assessment of other treatment methods such as Medicated-Assisted Treatment, 2) Enhance current programs by adapting best practices and allocating resources, and 3) Expand programs to specific or