HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03122002 - C67 To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS �� a �•. CONTRA COSTA
COUNTY
From: William B. Walker,M.D.,
Health Services director
Rate: March 12,2002
Subject: EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&c BACKGROUND AND JUSTRgCATION
Recammtnda1Lon:
CONTINUE with the emergency action originally taken by the Board on December 14, 1999 based an
the 'increasing/epidemic number of AIDS/Hill' and .Hepatitis C cases among injection drug users in
Contra Costa County.
BaSl outi►d,�
Continued Need far &'rtmergency
The spread of disease, particularly IRV 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. injectiondrug 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, 2-1-11V antibody testing, 3-Substance
Abuse Treatment, 4-Health on Wheels Van, and 5-Substance Abuse Counseling and Treatment for
HIV-infected clients.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHM FNT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECONEME"NDATTON OF BOARD COIvlM6TTEE
-APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BO 0� XarXJL- 2,,.__2fly APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS X (ABSENT" Norte ) 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 March, 12, 2002
JOHN SWEETEN CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact Person: Wendel Brunner, M.D. 313-6712
CC: Health Services Director
Public Health Adniinistration
BC DEPUTY
Board of Supervisors Page 2
Needle Exchange Emergency Declaration
March 12, 2002
Exchange 'Warks, a community-based needle exchange service currently in operation in Contra Costa
currently distributes clean needles on a one-tri-one basis. Their volunteer staff currently exchange SOCIO
needles per week at two sites. There are no established needle exchange program in East or Central
County.
PROGRESS SINCE EMERGENCY DECL4R97IO1V ON DECEMBER 1 d, 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.
• Documentationforms are being reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure that specific
information is available to the Board.
• Nanning 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, 2400, January 25, 2000,
February 15, 2000, March 7, 2000,March 21, 2400, 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,April 10, 2001, April
24, 2041, May 8, 2001, May 22, 2001, June 5 2001, June 19, 2001, July 10 2001, July '24, 2001,
August 7, 2€301, September 11, 2001, September 25, 2001 October 9, 2001, October 23, 2001,
November 6, 2001, December 4, 2001, December 18, 2001, January 8, 2002, January 22, 2002,
February 5, 2002, and February 26,'2002;