HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04242001 - C.169 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS '�._ CONTRA COSTA
COUNTY
From: William B. Walker, M.D. Y,
Health Services Director
Date: April 24, X001
Subject: EXTENSION.OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Recommendation:
DETERMINE that there is a need to continue with the emergency action originally taken by the Board
on December 14, 1999 based on the increasing/epidemic number of AIDS/HIV and Hepatitis C cases
among injection drug users in Contra Costa County.
Background:
Continued Need for Emergency
The spread of disease, particularly HIV and Hepatitis C, through the sharing of needles continues to be
a grave concern in Contra Costa County. 30% of all people living With AIDS in Contra Costa were
infected by injection drug use with the highest number of AIDS cases in West County. As of December
1997, Richmond had the highest cumulative incidence of AIDS (4.8 per 1000 population) among
Contra Costa cities, with at least 50 cases. Injection drug use was the estimated mode of infection
among 40% of all individuals diagnosed with AIDS in Richmond. Among African Americans
diagnosed with AIDS in Richmond 1982-1998 53% were most likely infected through injection drug
use.
Contra Costa Health Services does not currently provide needle exchange services (it is prohibited
from doing so absent a declared public health emergency). CCHS does provide services focused on
injection drug users including: 1-HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education, 2-HIV antibody testing,
3-Substance Abuse Treatment, 4-Health on Wheels Van, and 5-Substance Abuse Counseling and
Treatment for HIV-infected clients.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
----APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S): Sl��tz
ACTION OF BOA N April 24, 2001 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED XXX OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS XX (ABSENT IV ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED April 24, 2001
JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact Person: Wendell Brunner,M.D. 313-6712
CC: Health Services Director
Public Health Administration
BY , DEPUTY
r
Board of Supervisors Page 2
Needle Exchange Emergency Declaration
April 24, 2001
Exchange Works, a community-based needle exchange service currently in operation in Contra Costa
currently distributes clean needles on a one-to-one basis. Their volunteer staff currently exchange
5,000 needles per week at two sites. There are no established needle exchange program in East or
Central County.
PROGRESS SINCE EMERGENCY DECLARATION ON DECEMBER 14, 1999
At the Board of Supervisors December 14, 1999 meeting, CCHS was directed to take four actions. As
of January 7, 2000 the following has been completed:
• CCHS has entered into discussions with Exchange Works in West County.
• Supplies for the ongoing provision of the services have been identified.
• CCHS staff have been identified to assist with the provision of information and referrals.
• Documentation forms are being reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure that specific
information is available to the Board.
• Planning for an East County process will begin later this quarter after the preliminary process in
West County is completed.
This emergency action was renewed on December 20,1999, January 11, 2000, January 25, 2000,
February 15, 2000, March 7, 2000, March 21, 2000, April 11, 2000, May 16, 2000, June 6, 2000, July
18, 2000, August 8, 2000, September 12, 2000, September 26, 2000, October 10, 2000, October 24,
2000, November 14, 2000, December 5, 2000, December 19, 2000, January 9, 2001, January 23, 2001,
February 6, 2001, February 27, 2001, March 13, 2001, March 27, 2001, and April 10,2001.