HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09211993 - 1.58 /S�
(510)439.2061 FAX(510)432.7473
Coordinating Coune• , Inc. 1760 Chester Drive, Pittsburg,California 94565-3920
® 30 May -Ik993 yy
��✓® /n� w
i® 'Supervisor Tom Torlakson, Chairperson
OC Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors �' g
V 651 Pine Street
fA Martinez, Ca 94553 f
0ff
Dear Supervisor Torlakson: y
LN
On behalf of the Pittsburg Pre-School Coordinating C6j6' 1, Inc. ,
I am writing to express our strong support for AB 260 B own) , a
bill to establish a clean needle and syringe exchange i t
project in order to }'salt 'the spread of HIV ai ibng 1J.0-0- t E elrrug
users in cla:iizornia. We -elope the Boar.a of Su-rrvisors iii Centra
Costa County will also lend its endorsement to- .the legislation.
When viewed as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention program
targeting injection drug users, needle exchange is .an effective
HIV prevention intervention. Just last year, after reviewing
numerous studies ,of needle exchange programs in the U.S. and
abroad, the National Commission on AIDS urged, -the elimination of
regulations and laws that block implementation- of needle
exchange. According to the Commission, "feai:s that needle and
syringe e:schange. and distribution pr.c.grams might encourage drug
use and a .new class of drug injectors have not mat.er. ialized. "
Needle .exc-hange is supported by most of the major public health
groups nal.:.f:arnia, ir►cluuing ,.2',e C:,..iforr,ia iQadi.ca'L
Associat:�on, the. California Purses Association, the Cal ifornla
Ccr, crence of L,oca 1 Health Officers, County Drug ProgS-alm
Adm.-rl:istrzitur ., . t2�e California Pharmacist-_,fnssociat:ior., and
ni.::1:t