Feds Hope to Decrease HIV/AIDS Cases With Funds for Needle Exchange Programs

Congress recently ended its controversial ban on the funding of needle exchange programs. As a result, public health institutions around the nation can now apply to receive federal funding to provide clean needles to intravenous drug users. For 23 years, Congress upheld a ban that prevented local and state public health authorities from receiving federal funding for needle exchange programs. 

During the last two decades, the number of HIV/AIDS cases increased dramtically. According to the CDC, over 300,000 HIV/AIDS infections were linked to intravenous drug use. The numbers are more alarming for African Americans. Although African Americans only comprise 12.7 percent of the population, 45 percent of new HIV cases are diagnosed in the African American community.

The reinstatement of federal funding for needle exchange programs should reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis infections. Needle exchange programs across the nation will now be able to provide thousands more clean needles each month to intravenous drug users.
–amir shaw