Harm Reduction Coalition

HRC Calls for Greater Syringe Access, Federal Action on Hepatitis

Mon, 11 Jan 2010

The Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC), a national health and human rights advocacy group working to reduce drug-related harm, calls on Congress and the Administration to take immediate action to stem the tide of hepatitis B and C infections and chronic liver disease. HRC issues this call in response to a comprehensive new Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, �Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C.�

HRC Praises Congressional Leadership on Taking Action to Lift the Syringe Exchange Funding Ban

Wed, 09 Dec 2009

The Harm Reduction Coalition commends Congressional leadership on reaching a significant compromise to allow federal funding for syringe exchange programs. A joint House-Senate conference committee released their final version of the 2010 spending package, which would allow local communities to use their federal funds for syringe exchange. This move would overturn a complete ban on federal funding that had been maintained by Congress since 1988.

World Hepatitis Day May 19: Staggering & Spiraling Costs of Viral Hepatitis Propel New Call to Lift Federal Funding Ban on Syringe Exchange

Tue, 19 May 2009

The Harm Reduction Coalition, a national health and human rights advocacy group working to reduce drug-related harm, calls on Congress and the Administration to take action on World Hepatitis Day, May 19, to support syringe exchange programs as an essential strategy to prevent hepatitis C infection

Public Health and Human Rights Advocates Ask Obama to Ensure That US Delegation to UN Drug Meeting Reflects His Support for Syringe Exchange

NEW YORK CITY - The Harm Reduction Coalition published an op-ed today urging the Obama administration to send delegates to an upcoming meeting of United Nations Member States that will reflect the President�s public health and drug policies. Per the official White House site, President Obama supports �lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of [HIV] infection among drug users.�

Rep. Serrano Introduces Bill to Lift Syringe Exchange Ban

Wed, 30 Jul 2008

NATIONWIDE � Rep. Jos� E. Serrano (NY) and 25 co-sponsors, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), introduced the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention (CAHP) Act of 2008 today in Congress, which would remove all restrictions on the use of federal funds for syringe exchange programs to reduce the transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis C. Over 100 HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and public policy groups have thrown their full support to the bill, which follows a year of advocacy efforts to lift the funding ban.

New Government Report Analyzes Overdose Outbreak

Thu, 24 Jul 2008

NATIONWIDE � The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a new report today on the outbreak of over 1000 deaths between April 2005 and March 2007 in 5 states.These overdose deaths were caused by contamination of heroin with non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, a synthetic opiate 30-50 times more potent than heroin.The report concludes the fatal outbreak demonstrated the need for improved surveillance and for more public health programs to help drug users learn strategies for preventing and responding to overdoses.

SYRINGE EXCHANGE GAINS GROWING CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT Movement to Lift Ban Continues to Gain Momentum As Committee Meets, Bill Moves Through to Congress

Thu, 19 Jun 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C.-A sign-on letter addressed to Congressional leadership calling for Congress to lift the federal ban on the funding for syringe exchange programs, a key weapon in the fight against the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C, was released today with 55 signatures. The letter, circulated by Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) and Michael Castle (R-DE), gained bi-partisan support, with four Republican signers.

Lake County Authorizes Syringe Exchange; Programs Still Unauthorized in Two-Thirds of State of California

Wed, 27 Feb 2008

CALIFORNIA � Today the Lake County Board of Supervisors made their county the 18th in the state to authorize clean needle exchange programs to stem the spread of infectious diseases among injection drug users.

Key African American Groups Join Harm Reduction Coalition in Call for Repeal of Federal Ban on Needle Exchange

Thu, 07 Feb 2008

The National Association of Colored People, the National Urban League, the National Minority AIDS Council, and the National African American Drug Policy Coalition, joined with the Harm Reduction Coalition to request that Congress remove the nearly 20 year old ban.

Congress needs to follow frontrunners' lead to fight HIV, rescind syringe exchange ban

Tue, 27 Nov 2007

(New York) The Harm Reduction Coalition today applauded Sen. Clinton�s plan to include syringe exchange programs as part of a national AIDS strategy and called for Congress to rescind the current ban. Clinton�s announcement yesterday matches Sen. Obama, Sen. Edwards, Governor Richardson and Rep. Kucinich�s previous support for syringe exchange programs as a tool to fight HIV infections.

Victory for local AIDS prevention and drug treatment programs

Tue, 06 Nov 2007

San Francisco-In a victory for HIV/AIDS prevention and drug treatment programs, Congress today removed an amendment to ban federal funds for cities that establish a medically supervised drug injection facility from the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations bill.

CA Law Authorizes Use of State Funds to Purchase Syringes

Fri, 19 Oct 2007

CA Overdose Treatment Bill Signed by Governor

Thu, 11 Oct 2007

Oct 18 Symposium: Exploring Safer Injection Facilities in San Francisco

What: This full day symposium will examine needs, feasibility, support, and various options for a legal Safe Injection Facility for homeless and marginally housed injection drug users, and for the community impacted by them. Speakers include members of law enforcement, public health officials, service providers, legal experts, injection drug users, community groups, leaders in the faith community, and evaluators from InSite, a safe injection facility in Vancouver, Canada.

Overdose Treatment Bill Receives Unanimous California Senate Support

Fri, 01 Jun 2007