Tony Newman at 510-208-7711
Americans believe that cities and states — and not the federal government — should decide whether federal HIV prevention funds can be spent on needle exchange programs, according to a recent Harris poll commissioned by the Lindesmith Center. The poll, which surveyed 1,003 American adults by telephone from October 15 through 19, found that 71% of American adults agree that current law should be changed so that decisions on how to use federal funding for HIV prevention programs be made by states and localities rather than the federal government. Currently, federal law bans the use of federal HIV prevention funding for needle exchange programs.
Numerous studies have concluded that needle exchange programs dramatically reduce the spread of HIV and do not encourage drug use. Needle exchange programs are supported by the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Public Health Association as well as other prestigious medical and public health organizations. In addition, the American Bar Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have urged the federal government to allow states and localities to use Federal HIV prevention funds to implement needle exchange programs.
“The U.S. is virtually alone among advanced, industrialized nations in prohibiting the funding of needle exchange programs,” said Ethan Nadelmann, Director of the Lindesmith Center. “Americans want crucial decisions about funding for needle exchange and other HIV prevention efforts made at the state or local level, not in Washington.”
This poll coincides with the release of the Lindesmith Center’s Syringe Availability, a concise and comprehensive review of data on needle exchange programs and pharmacy sale of syringes. Based in New York, the Lindesmith Center is a drug policy research institute that concentrates on broadening the drug policy debate.
The following pages include a summary of key findings, poll questions and contact information for further comment.
Across party lines, Americans believe state and local governments should be able to decide whether to use federal HIV prevention funds for needle exchange programs:
Even those who oppose needle exchange believe current law should be changed:
Few Americans are familiar with needle exchange programs:
Familiarity breeds support:
More Americans support needle exchange than oppose:
Compared to previous polls on needle exchange programs:
National Organizations:
American Medical Association
Lydia Steck, Director of Communications
312-464-4430
American Bar Association
Tina Lanier
202-662-1792
American Public Health Association
David Fouse
202-789-5676
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Mike Brown
202-861-6708
American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR)
Dr. Arthur Ammann, President Brad Kalos, Director of Communications
212-682-7440, ext. 210
National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors
Joe Kelly, Julie Schofield or B.J. Harris
202-434-8090
Researchers:
Dr. Peter Lurie
University of Michigan Institute for Social Research
313-936-0552
Dr. David Vlahov Johns Hopkins
School of Hygiene & Public Health
410-955-1848
Election Day is around the corner… and we must be prepared to shape the national conversation about drugs. We need 250 donors to come forward before July 31!