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A study conducted by Jennifer Havens, a University of
Kentucky epidemiologist and associate professor in behavioral science, revealed
that close to two-thirds of 500 Appalachia injection drug users were infected
with hepatitis. To address the epidemic among injection drug users, Havens
urged Kentucky lawmakers to reconsider a law that prohibited syringe possession
without a prescription and called for federal funding for needle-exchange
programs, also known as “syringe service programs.”
Needle-exchange programs originated approximately 30 years
ago as a measure aimed to prevent HIV transmission among needle-sharing drug
users. Public health distribution of sterile needles reduced the number of HIV
infections and reduced the public health threat, but the programs remained
controversial.
Warren believed that syringe service programs would provide
a safer source of syringes for drug users who already were injecting, but would
not encourage people to start injecting drugs. Syringe exchange programs also
brought drug users into treatment programs, according to Warren. Without
federal funding, Warren noted that many eastern Kentucky communities would lack
resources for syringe service programs.
