Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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San Luis Obispo Tribune (12.17.07) - Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Bob Cuddy
From November 2006 to mid-October, the program handed out 4,676 syringes and collected 5,368, public health officials told the board last week. The exchange had 50 clients, who made 183 visits. In addition to syringe exchange, the program aims to steer individuals into treatment, said Jason Wells of Drug and Alcohol Services.
Public Health Director Greg Thomas said it took time for addicts to develop trust in the county. The program's first client came in three weeks after its opening, said Thomas. Statistics show that more men than women are using the service, Wells and Thomas said. Present data are not sufficient to determine whether the program has cut the transmission of HIV or hepatitis C.
At the meeting, Chairperson Jerry Lenthall, a former police sergeant who only reluctantly supported the program, told Thomas: "The culture I came from saw the death and destruction from needles. You walked the walk. I owe you a public apology."
Supervisor Jim Patterson lauded Thomas and his colleagues for "addressing an issue up front [instead of] addressing the consequences after the fact." The needle exchange, he said, "looks successful so far."
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