Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Associated Press - 21 Sep 1995
The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came two days after the National Research Council said such exchanges can reduce the spread of AIDS without encouraging the use of illegal drugs. About one-third of AIDS cases resulted from intravenous drug use, according to the CDC.
A CDC survey found that the number of needles exchanged increased to more than 8 million in 1994 from about 2.4 million in 1992, the last time the programs were surveyed.
Most of the needles were exchanged in New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and the Seattle area. Needle exchange programs operate in 55 U.S. cities.
The programs trade sterile injection sets for used ones. Many programs also provide counseling about AIDS, testing for tuberculosis and drug addiction treatment.
Critics of such programs say they promote illegal drugs and send a contradictory message about drug use.
Copyright 1995/The Associated Press. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
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Copyright © 1995 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
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