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Needle Exchange Policy

American Liver Foundation position on needle exchange

• 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: October 4th, 2011

© Copyright 2012 American Liver Foundation. All Rights Reserved.