You won’t read about it in today’s Intelligencer-Journal New Era’s coverage of yesterday’s County Commissioners Work Session, but NewsLanc publisher Robert Field petitioned the board to pass a resolution in support of the establishment through private funding of a modern syringe exchange in Lancaster.
A long time activist in the field of drug policy reform and harm reduction as co-chair of Common Sense for Drug Policy (www.csdp.org), Field described his observations of one of the world’s foremost exchanges in Vancouver, Canada situated in a store front on the most run down, drug plagued street in the city. Syringes were given out without question or forced conversation the first few times that derelict addicts slunk through the door. Over several visits the clerk, actually a skilled social worker, gradually establishes a relationship, helpfully advises the client where assistance is available to treat abscesses and meet other pressing needs, and, when the addict seeks treatment, refers the addict to a rehabilitation center, starting the client on the road to treatment with methadone or Buprenorphine and likely return to love ones and a productive life.
Below is the letter. As Field mentioned, the purpose is as much to get the commissioners to discuss these matters behind the scenes with fellow members of the establishment leadership as a call for any formal action.
HAND DELIVERY
July 12, 2011
Chairman Scott Martin
Vice Chairman Dennis P. Stuckey
Commissioner Craig Lehman
Re: The need for a modern syringe exchange in Lancaster
Gentlemen:
I turn to you this morning because I am at loss to be able to obtain the cooperation of Lancaster General Health in supporting the request of the Urban League for funding so that it might operate a syringe exchange to serve the estimated 5,000 to 10,000 heroin addicts.
As you can see from the chapter on syringe exchange I have reproduced from www.DrugWarFacts.org and am providing herewith, providing clean syringes is recognized by the federal government and throughout the world as effective ways to reduce the spread of HIV / AIDS and other social diseases throughout the population. Equally importantly, syringe exchanges serve as the entry point for the testing of their clients and referring them for health and rehabilitation treatment.
The Urban League proposal would save many lives here in Lancaster each year and certainly avoid hundreds if not a thousand cases of social disease transmitted through sexual contact throughout the general population. It also would reduce the cost of county, state and federal services and subsidies.
Thanks to the combined efforts of State Representative Mike Sturla, myself and others, syringes may now be purchased without a prescription, identification, or age limit from pharmacies. Furthermore exchanges are funded by the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. To say that exchanges are engaged in the illegal distribution of drug paraphernalia is legal sophistry, as was pointed out a decade ago by the legal department of Temple University… and this was before deregulation of the sale of syringes. Furthermore, contributions to the Urban League could be earmarked for their other services.
At this time, I am not suggesting that the County fund an exchange, but I urge that you commissioners pass a resolution encouraging the private sponsoring of an exchange here in Lancaster County.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Field
ATTACHMENT
Bravo Robert E. Field! While I do not condone intravenous drug use I understand that it’s a personal choice.
A few short facts: We are becoming better at identifying and treating addiction in Lancaster County for those that are willing to accept help. Syringe exchange programs have reduced the spread of HIV / AIDS and other social diseases in many US cities and countries throughout the world. This program could reduce hospital and medical costs for the uninsured or under-insured (picked up by the taxpayer).
Hopefully, our Commissioner’s will agree to encourage private sponsorship of the program. Perhaps some medical facilities, churches and community action programs would like to get on the bandwagon. I personally know some folks that suffer with addiction, although they have been drug and alcohol free for years, it remains a daily struggle.
I would like to encourage anyone struggling with addiction to seek help through Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. You will learn after you’re drug/alcohol free that sometimes the only way to help yourself is to reach out to others in need. No-one understands an addict better than an addict.
Commissioners, please do your research and consider this request for a resolution.