Tell Sen. Majority Leader Reid to Take Action on Syringe Exchange

Sen. Majority Leader Reid can help lift the ban on funding syringe exchange. But he needs to hear from people all over the country that this is a priority.

Go to www.healthgap.org/nevada.htm to sign a petition to Senator Reid asking for him to lift the ban on funding syringe exchange (and increase funding for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria).

Syringe exchange is a proven method of reducing HIV transmission, and does not increase drug use. But, for nearly 2 decades, Congress has barred federal funding from going to this lifesaving intervention. The House of Representatives removed language banning funding from their version of the 2010 appropriations bill, but they put in a provision that would not allow funding within 1,000 feet of a long list of locations, including daycares, schools and parks. We need Sen. Reid to push for funding of syringe exchange, with no restrictions.