BOH agenda 082615 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2015 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2015 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 2 V. Educational Sessions A. Syringe Exchange Programs Tessie Castillo, Advocacy and Communication Coordinator, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, spoke on the statewide perspective on the need for syringe exchange programs which allow injection drug users to exchange their used syringes for new ones. She began by providing some statistics on drug use. In NC, heroin use has increased 400% in the last five years which has caused injection drug use to increase as well. Ms. Castillo reported that Medicaid spent $70 million for Hepatitis C and $50 million for HIV on prescription drug costs alone. This is due in part that there’s more infection and more expensive new drugs in the market. A conservative count states that there are 160,000 injection drug users in NC and the number is increasing. When asked, users stated that they used their syringe an average of 50 times. As it is illegal to have a syringe exchange program in NC, some programs operate underground. In NC, there are 6 currently operating underground by citizens in Asheville, Fayetteville, Hendersonville, the Triangle (2), and the Triad. The only southern state with a legal syringe program is in Kentucky which is run by the public health department. W hile it is not illegal for pharmacists to sell them, possession of a clean syringe could be considered a crime – possession of drug paraphernalia. In NC, if someone knowingly dispenses a syringe for the purpose of using drugs, they’ve violated the Controlled Substances Act. Ms. Castillo mentioned that there are two bills regarding syringe exchange. HB850 (Needle-stick Prevention law passed in 2013) partially decriminalizes the act of having a syringe as long as that person alerts an officer to the fact that he/she has a syringe prior to being searched. HB 712 (Pilot Project/Used Needle Disposal) will authorize the State Bureau of Investigations, in collaboration with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, to establish pilot programs to collect and properly dispose of used syringes. HB 712 also amends the existing HB850 to state that a person who declares a syringe to a law enforcement officer prior to being searched will not be charged for possession of the syringe or for trace residue inside the syringe. Ms. Castillo reiterated that there have been over a 100 studies that have concluded that syringe exchange programs do not increase or encourage drug use but have actually assisted in its decrease. She stated that the most effective way to combat the spread of bloodborne disease among injection drug users is through syringe exchange programs. Syringe exchange programs have been proven to reduce HIV and Hepatitis C rates among injection drug users and can connect them with drug treatment programs and other social services programs as this population tends to avoid those places. Drug overdoses have decreased and studies have shown that 20% or more injection drug users go into treatment programs. Another benefit is that there is a dramatic reduction in discarded syringes found in public areas. The BOH members had several questions that were addressed by Ms. Castillo and Corey Davis. B. New Immunizations Requirements Judy Butler presented the new immunization requirements effective July 1, 2015. They will apply to all individuals except those that provide documentation of a valid medical or religious exemption. Orange County is number 2 in the state with exceptions to vaccinations, Buncombe County is number 1. Some highlights of the new requirements include: