Fresno County Considering Needle Exchange

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Fresno County Considering Needle Exchange

May 16, 2006 - It's being called a health crisis and Fresno County Supervisors still can't agree on a plan to deal with the growing number of IV drug users.

The Fresno Needle Exchange moved out of Roeding Park shortly after an Action News report first aired, but it does continue to operate. A Fresno County grand jury report then recommended legalizing the needle exchange. Next week, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors will take a stance and bring the issue to a vote.

Once a week, drug addicts in Fresno still pick up their supply of clean needles, which doctors say helps stem the spread of HIV and hepatitis among IV drug users. "What I've learned in my journey through life is its never too late for anyone. And its programs like the needle exchange that make miracles come true," said Fresno State senior Gail Henry. Henry says the needle exchange helped her kick a heroin addiction seven years ago. She graduates from Fresno State on Friday. "This is the single most effective way to combat the epidemic that we face here in Fresno County, with regards to injection drug use," said Cliff Garoupa, from the Drug and Alcohol Board. Dr. Moreno told the Board of Supervisors the Hepatitis C infection rate among local injection drug users is between 75% and 81%. Moreno calls it a health crisis. But among the supervisors, only has supported a legal needle exchange. "Pure and simple, its about the spread of disease and protecting our community from disease. I think its our responsibility to move this forward," says . "I would support some kind of needle access program if its tied to mandatory participation of counseling, but I can't support what's been occurring," says Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea. Dr. Marc Lasher runs a free clinic alongside the needle exchange. He feels the board has become more receptive to the issue, "The board made tremendous strides today in moving this forward. It's not just shutting down the concept that we have. We have a health epidemic in our community." Dr. Lasher is confident the board will vote to legalize the needle exchange. But up to this point, that hasn't generated much support on the board.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local & id=4179237