In order to stem Deschutes County's increasing number of HIV and hepatitis C cases, county health officials are considering opening a needle-exchange program for intravenous drug users. "What this really is right now is just a concept we're intrigued by," said Dan Peddycord, the county health department administrator. "And we're intrigued because every bit of research we've done about the idea of doing a needle-exchange program suggests that there are nothing but positive results if you do it right."

Though seven Oregon counties, including rural Benton County, have needle-exchange programs, some elected and law enforcement officials are concerned about the perceptions such a program might create.

"I have very mixed emotions," said Les Stiles, Deschutes County sheriff. "There's a need and anything that's going to reduce communicable diseases like 'hep C' and HIV and AIDS ... if it reduces those costs to society, then that's a definite benefit," said Stiles. But an unintended message, he said, "is that it's OK to do it and we're going to help you by making sure the drugs are pure and the needles are clean."

The county's HIV program grew by 35 percent since last year, to more than 40 people, said Shannon Dames, Deschutes' communicable-disease coordinator. She did not have exact figures for county hepatitis C cases, but said they were rising.

Methamphetamine use has also been increasing in the state and nationally, health officials said. According to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, about 25 percent of meth users inject daily and 75 percent inject occasionally.

Back to other news for June 15, 2005

Search the Newsroom archive