Needle Exchange Programs in South King County

Summary

Seattle King County Public Health estimates 18,000-20,000 Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWID) living in King County. Needle exchange is the most effective strategy available to prevent HIV in members of this population who are not in drug treatment. It also protects non-injecting family members and sex partners. Without a vaccine or a cure, prevention is the only tool we have to control the spread of HIV.

Importance

Public Health cites four major reasons for the services provided by needle exchange programs: 

  1. There is compelling evidence that needle exchange programs decrease HIV and hepatitis transmission, but do not increase the use of injection drugs.

  2. Preventing HIV infection in people who inject drugs also prevents HIV in women and newborn children. In the last ten years, there have been no cases of mother-to-child transmission among resident women in King County.

  3. By working with people who inject drugs, we can help get them into drug treatment.

  4. Public Health safely disposes of all contaminated syringes turned into the exchange. This reduces the number of discarded syringes on our sidewalks, in our bus stops, yards, parks and playgrounds.

All areas of the County should be provided with these life saving services. 

 

Acronyms

HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus

PWID - Persons Who Inject Drugs