Syringe exchange opponent lobbies in Texas from Florida

Last Friday a staffer from a Texas House members office emailed me a fax and other materials the office received from the executive director of Florida based Save Our Society From Drugs, Calvina Fay. In the fax Ms. Fay states her strong opposition to syringe exchange programs and then lists several reasons for her opposition.

I decided to pass along Ms. Fay's fax and other materials to Dr. William Martin, an expert on syringe exchange programs, to see what he thought of her claims. Before the weekend was out Dr. Martin emailed me back with his response to Ms. Fay's fax, his response notably full of documentation where hers was lacking.

About her fax and other materials Dr. Martin said "As an advocate for NEPs, I am not surprised that Ms. Fay could not martial better arguments to support her opposition to these programs, since the evidence against her position is simply too strong. I am, however, somewhat surprised that she apparently assumed no one would examine her assertions and claims."

Well examine them he did! Check out Dr. Martins response to Calvina Fay and a copy of Ms. Fay's fax to decide for yourself who is being honest in there examination of this important public health option.

Videos from seminar on syringe exchange now online

On December 9, 2008 the Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition hosted a seminar on syringe exchange programs in San Antonio. The seminar featured presentations by Dr. William Martin, Senior Fellow for Drug Policy at the Baker Institute, and Neel Lane, volunteer attorney for the Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition. The Access Project attended the seminar and filmed both presentations which are now available to view on our website.

Following is an interview with Charlene Doria-Ortiz, Community Health Program Manager for the Bexar County Department of Community Investment, filmed after the seminar ended. In the interview Charlene shares her perspective as the harm reduction coordinator for the pilot syringe exchange program in Bexar County.

New NEP Papers on the Baker Institute Website

Dr. William Martin, Senior Fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, is an expert on needle exchange programs (NEP's). In a new paper posted on the Baker Institute website, Needle Exchange Programs: Sending the Right Message, Dr. Martin sites extensive research to outline why he believes NEP's are a proven method of reducing the spread of blood-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C without increasing drug use. As part of a set of policy recommendations the Baker Institute fellows prepared for President Obama, Dr. Martin has also prepared a paper addressing the removal of the ban on using federal funds for NEP's. To read the papers visit the Drug Policy link on the Baker Institute website, then scroll down to "Publications, 2009".

HRO calls syringe exchange key issue for the 81st legislature

The Texas House Research Organization (HRO) identifies the biggest issues facing the Texas legislature before each session starts. The HRO calls needle-exchange one of the most important health and human services issues facing the legislature in 2009 (see page 11):

Lawmakers in 2007 approved a pilot needle- exchange program in Bexar County that was not implemented after an attorney general’s opinion indicated program participants could be subject to prosecution under drug paraphernalia laws. Lawmakers again may debate whether to permit anonymous needle exchange programs as a part of a disease prevention program as well as discuss the legal protections that should be afforded to program participants.

Learn more and get free email updates about this life-saving measure.

Federal Government May Fund Syringe Access

President-Elect Barack Obama supports lifting the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs - and our friends at the Harm Reduction Coalition let us know that Congressman Jose Serrano has already re-introduced HR 179, Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention (CAHP) Act of 2009, in the 111th Congress. HR 179, introduced Tuesday with 28 original co-sponsors, would eliminate laws which prevent federal funding from being used for syringe exchange.

The State of Texas won't be able to accept these life-saving federal funds unless the Texas legislature allows drug addicts to safely access clean needles and syringes. The legislative session, which happens once every two years in Texas, will begin next week.

What will it say about Texas if the federal government offers to pay to prevent these deadly diseases but the Texas legislature chooses to refuse the funds, more Texans become infected, and our district attorneys continue to criminally prosecute the Good Samaritans who try to save human life? We won't find ourselves in that position if our legislature shows compassion and allows clean, safe access this session.

Legislative briefing revealed strong bipartisan support for change

Scot Kibbe, Senator Deuell's Legislative Director, spoke about SB 188. Senator Deuell filed the bill because he is compelled as a doctor to save lives, as a conservative to keep the government from getting in the way, and as a Christian to believe in the ability of people to change. Since the Senator has been championing clean and safe syringe access, he hasn't had one negative response from a constituent.

Janis Reinken, Representative McClendon's Chief of Staff, spoke about HB 142. She provided an update on the Bexar County pilot program authorized by the legislature last session but forbidden by District Attorney Susan Reed. Bexar County Commissioners unanimously authorized funding for the program but before they could implement the program, the District Attorney began prosecuting people and the syringe exchange portion of the program was cancelled. Both sides agree that they will look to the Texas legislature to clarify the law this session.

Will Krueger, from the Office of Representative Ortiz, spoke about HB 272 and the Representative's strong interest in treatment and recovery. His constituents want safe and legal syringe access programs, and Representative Ortiz wants to ensure the programs are offered in Spanish so each program can be as effective as possible within it's community.

Comprehensive legislative information packets were distributed to staff and agency representatives who attended. A fun time was had by all.

Syringe Access Staff Briefing Today

Today from noon to 2pm, we will host a legislative staff briefing about syringe access in the Legislative Conference Center in room E2.002 at the Texas Capitol. We will focus on the 3 bills that have been filed so far. Top experts will make presentations and be available to answer questions. Lunch will be provided.

This is a great chance to find out what the bills are all about. If you are near the Capitol, please join us - all are welcome!

San Antonio AIDS Foundation urges Texas legislature to save lives and tax dollars

The San Antonio AIDS Foundation has joined the growing list of organizations that support the safe and clean exchange of needles and syringes in Texas. Check out the organizations that support this life-saving measure on our new web site's supporter page.

We invite you to add your organization to the list. Please contact us if we can recognize your compassionate stance or provide additional information.

San Antonio Express News is right on point

The San Antonio Express News Editorial Board has done its research - check out the editorial it published just before Christmas supporting the safe and legal exchange of clean needles and syringes in Texas:

"The simple truth about needle exchange programs is that they save lives and save money. .... Along with protecting law enforcement and health care workers who frequently come into physical contact with the IV drug using community, the case for needle exchange is overwhelming."

Check out all of the latest news coverage regarding needle exchange in Texas on our new web site Newsroom - we will be updating this site by the minute as things develop during the Texas legislative session this year.