HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05182004 - C61 Io: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA CON'T'RA COSTA
� . COUNTY
From: William B.Walker, M.D. Ma �
Health Services Director
Date: May 18, 2004
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 ANDJUSTIFICATION
R.ecommendatiow.
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.
Dackaround:
Continued Need for Emergency
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. 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: I-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 ATFACHMENIT: YES SIGNATURE: � �`�� " / '
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOM�iI?NDATION OF BOARD COA�IMtTI`EE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)�
ACTION OF BOON _ _ APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED Y OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTH Y THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNAN`LMOUS _ (A3SENT___� AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON TIME INMNL7 ES OF THE BOARD
AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED mAy 18, 2004
JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COU?v"I'Y ADMINISTRATOR
Contact Person: Mendel Brunner, M.D. 313-5712
CC: Health Services Director
Public Health Administration ,
B DEPUTY
Z.�
Board of Supervisors Page 2
Emergenc- .declaration for Support of Needle Exchange Programs
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 EMERGENCYDECLARATION ONDECEMBER 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.
0 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
infuriation is available to the Board.
Planning for an East County process will begin later this quarter after the preliminary process in
Test County is completed.
Additional Background Text for Continuous Ennerizency Declaration
for Support of Needle Exchange Programs
P,ablic Health Division,AIDS Program
Contact: Christine Leivennarm,5-6786
• February 11, 2003 -Board order submitted to recommend and accept"The Status of HIV
Prevention Efforts in Contra Costa County"report to the Beard of Supervisors.
• February 26, 2003 --report submitted to the Family and Human Services Committee, "Captions
for Continuing Needle Exchange for HIV Prevention" .
• March 3, 2003 --report submitted to the Family and Human Services Committee, "Needle
Exchange Follow-up Report- Strategies to Support the Non-Direct Costs of Needle
.Exchange".
• April 16, 2003 --report submitted to the Family and Human Services Committee, "Activities to
Maintain Threshold Needle Exchange Services in Contra Costa County" (4/21/03).
• July 28, 2003 -report submitted to the Family and Human Services Committee, "Further
Captions .for Continuing Needle Exchange for HIV Prevention".
• September 9, 2003 Board of Supervisors accepted Health Services reports of April 16 and
July 28, and approved a one-year contract with Community Health Empowerment(CHE)to
provide needle exchange and HIV prevention services; Contract#22877 with Opportunity West
(fiscal agent for CIE); contract term 9/11/03 - 8/31/04.
€td.bos;needle exchange update 304