With law enacted, implementation adheres to prescribed steps
Indiana is about to legalize syringe exchange. This herculean
bipartisan effort, led by Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany, enacted
evidence-based public health policy in a state with a long-starved
public health system.
As triathlons go, the syringe exchange legislative process was a
tough first leg that will be followed by a second leg of policy
implementation and a final leg of impact evaluation. We are now at T1 –
that transition between Legs 1 and 2. And Leg 2 will be challenging.
Syringe exchange is part of a comprehensive public health effort to
reduce HIV and hepatitis C among drug-injecting populations. Programs
“exchange” sterile for used syringes, and link participants to screening
and treatment for Hepatitis C and HIV, as well as substance abuse
treatment. Studies over the past 30 years have demonstrated their
effectiveness at reducing hepatitis C and HIV.
Read more... Labels: implementation of needle exchange, Indiana, needle exchange