HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES RELATED TO THE EVALUATION OF AN ILLEGAL NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM Debra Harris, Ph.D., California State University, Fresno

Needle Exchange Program (NEP) - Fresno, California Needles Exchanged in 1 hour – 10,000 used needles Number of Individual Attending - 150

Needle Exchange Program - Fresno

Problem 1.1 million people in the U.S. – HIV 3.9 million in the U.S. – Hepatitis C Transmission – illegal drug activity Fresno Board of Supervisors – NEP encourage needle use

Aim of Program Decrease HIV & Hepatitis C Encourage Treatment Seek Legalization – Fresno County Board of Supervisors

Aim of Evaluation / Method Evaluate Participant Behavior – – Does the NEP have an effect on needle sharing? – Does the NEP have an effect on needle re-use? – Do people enroll in treatment? Institutional Review Board – approved! Quantitative Survey Individual Interviews – researcher and students No Rewards

Results of Evaluation 106 Individuals Interviewed Gender – Male – 67.9% (72) – Females – 32.1% (34) Age – 44.4 years HIV Positive – 4.5% (5) Hepatitis C – 39.6 (42) Drug Used – Heroine 68.9% (73) – Methamphetamine 38.7% (41)

Results of Evaluation (continued) Few Individuals Sought Drug Treatment

Result of Evaluation (continued) Sharing Needles – Significant difference between those who shared before compared to those who shared after the NEP – Controlled for Gender – Males significant; not females Re-Using Needles – Significant difference between those who shared before compared to those who shared after the NEP – Controlled for Gender – Males significant; not females

Human Rights Issues Related to Evalution (lessons learned) Drug Using Individuals – Health Care Access – Treatment Professionals – Free From Jail – Public Opinion

Fresno Board of Supervisors – denied any approval