ALF Needle Exchange Policy

WHEREAS injection drug users that share needles are at increased risk of contracting hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV; and

WHEREAS HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are devastating diseases and can be transmitted to sexual partners and unborn children; and

WHEREAS the National Academy of Sciences, through the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, has stated that needle exchange programs are part of a comprehensive strategy to decrease the transmission of blood-borne pathogens including hepatitis and HIV:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that ALF supports and encourages the development and analysis of needle exchange programs for the express purpose of decreasing transmission of HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens and as part of comprehensive hepatitis and HIV prevention activities that include programs directed at preventing and treating drug use.

Page updated: March 13th, 2007