Date: Thu, 26 Jun 97 18:50:42 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: Mayors Endorse Needle Exchange NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ................................................................. MAYORS' NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM THE RIGHT WAY TO GO SAYS NGLTF Washington, DC---June 26, 1997---The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today commended the U.S. Conference of Mayors for passing a resolution urging state and local public health officials to promote needle exchange programs as part of an overall plan to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The mayors, who met in San Francisco this week, called on Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to exercise her authority to lift the ban on spending federal money for needle exchange programs. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, today there are 113 needle exchange programs in 29 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In February, the Task Force said in a call for Presidential action that there is strong evidence that needle exchange programs do not lead to increased illegal drug use. In fact, the Task Force pointed out, they have been found to be effective links to drug treatment, medical care and social services. "In the past four years a number of authoritative studies have found syringe availability programs are a key and effective element of any HIV prevention strategy," said Kerry Lobel, NGLTF executive director. "We have urged the Administration to take the lead in working with Congress to lift the existing ban on needle exchange and syringe availability programs. The resolution passed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors is exactly the right way for the country to go." The mayors action comes at a critical time in the fight against HIV/AIDS waged in America's cities where an increasing number of HIV diagnoses are attributed to intravenous drug use and the exchange of dirty needles. Seventy-five percent of new HIV infections in 1994 and 1995 were among drug users, according to a government report released this spring. Of those diagnosed with AIDS, drug use is linked to more than 35 percent of adult cases, 66 percent of cases among women, and 50 percent of pediatric cases. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .