The below report is not for the Lancaster Syringe Exchange operated by the Bethel AME Church, but rather from a comparable Pennsylvania city.
Judge for yourself whether this is the type of work that should be funded by a Public Charity with the duty of furthering public health rather than by an individual and an inner-city church.
The Urban League offered to operate and expand the syringe exchange in Lancaster. Despite its average hundred million dollar a year profits, Public Charity Lancaster General Health refused to help with funding.
“July 2010 Report
Twenty-five participants were tested for HIV in July.
Total contacts: 355
Total IDU contacts: 317
Total unduplicated IDU contacts: 248
Syringes: 3170
Condoms distributed: Male- 2024, Female-58, Dental Dams-40 Finger Cots-80
Demographics of unduplicated IDU [syringe] contacts:
African American male: 35
White Male: 41
Latino: 58
African American female: 37
White female: 36
Latina: 41
“We completed 296 referrals for various services.
“This month, as a result of our 91 total D&A referrals, twelve participants entered into drug treatment facilities. This indicates those of whom we are aware; there may be additional entries of which we are not aware.”
Shame on the leadership of Lancaster General Health! Lavish salaries and perks for its top executives; zero for fighting addiction and the spread of social diseases throughout the general population.
