Fresno County approves needle exchange program

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http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11255090?nclick_check=1

Fresno County approves needle exchange program

The Associated Press

Article Launched: 12/17/2008 01:34:50 PM PST

FRESNO, Calif.—Fresno County supervisors are supporting a needle exchange

program aimed at reducing disease among drug addicts who might be tempted to use

contaminated needles.

The board voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve a pilot, one-year program that will

include substance abuse counseling and free medical care.

The supervisors, who have rejected similar proposals in the past, acknowledged

concerns about illegal drug use, but said the county needs to reduce the spread

of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.

Volunteers with the Fresno Needle Exchange have been operating informally for

more than a decade, handing out up to 8,000 clean hypodermic needles each

Saturday in exchange for dirty ones.

The new program now will be housed in a support center where clean needles can

be dispensed legally.

[Guest guest]

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11255090?nclick_check=1

Fresno County approves needle exchange program

The Associated Press

Article Launched: 12/17/2008 01:34:50 PM PST

FRESNO, Calif.—Fresno County supervisors are supporting a needle exchange

program aimed at reducing disease among drug addicts who might be tempted to use

contaminated needles.

The board voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve a pilot, one-year program that will

include substance abuse counseling and free medical care.

The supervisors, who have rejected similar proposals in the past, acknowledged

concerns about illegal drug use, but said the county needs to reduce the spread

of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.

Volunteers with the Fresno Needle Exchange have been operating informally for

more than a decade, handing out up to 8,000 clean hypodermic needles each

Saturday in exchange for dirty ones.

The new program now will be housed in a support center where clean needles can

be dispensed legally.