Research, experts: ending needle exchange won't make problems disappear (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

Saturday Mar 10th, 2018

Research and people who’ve worked at and studied syringe exchange programs suggest that ending Charleston’s program won’t make related problems go away.

They also suggest that needles in public places and abandoned homes in Charleston are likely not the result of the needle exchange.

Baltimore’s harm-reduction program employs 10 people and distributed 1.4 million syringes last year, according to Dr. Patrick Chaulk, assistant commissioner for its Bureau of HIV/STD Services. The program has an 84-85 percent return rate, slightly less than Charleston’s 88 percent return rate.

“Getting rid of your syringe exchange program is only going to create more syringes in the community because they won’t be returning them, for sure,” Chaulk said.

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