Panel to Review San Diego Needle-swap Program

A privately financed pilot program to let drug users exchange dirty needles for clean ones was scheduled to be reviewed yesterday by a San Diego City Council committee. The program is aimed at curbing the spread of hepatitis, AIDS and other blood-borne diseases among intravenous drug users. "We have some really responsible, reputable people who think this program is worth trying," said City Council member Toni Atkins, chair of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee.

The program was recommended by the Clean Syringe Exchange Program Task Force, which includes doctors, health care workers and city officials, including a police captain. In October 2000, City Council declared a public-health emergency, a step required by state law before a needle exchange program can be started. At the same time, the council created the task force to devise a pilot program. In December, with a new mayor and four other new members, the council deadlocked 4-4 on whether to continue the declaration of a health emergency, but the task force continued its work. With the election this year of City Council members Ralph Inzunza, Jr. and Donna Frye, a majority of the panel appears to support a pilot needle exchange program.

Under the task force proposal, clean needles would be distributed from a motor home that would visit communities with high rates of drug-related arrests or STDs. Drug users seeking clean needles would be issued laminated city identification cards to prove to police that they are participating in the program. Otherwise, they would be subject to arrest for possessing drug paraphernalia. Users also would be offered counseling and referred to detoxification and drug treatment centers. The Alliance Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic health-care organization, will cover the estimated $340,000 cost of the pilot program, which will be evaluated.

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