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Citing a doubling in the number of HIV diagnoses associated with injecting drug use, the Ohio Department of Health has asked the federal government for permission to fund needle-and-syringe programs with grants for HIV prevention work. In 2017, 121 HIV diagnoses across the state were attributed to injection drug use, about 12 percent of the 1015 total infections, according to documents dated July 5 that include the request to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This represents a 92% increase over the 63 diagnoses attributed to drug use in 2015, which accounted for 6.7% of the 937 diagnoses reported that year.
The application signed by the director of health Lance Himes hepatitis C infections, which can also spread through injection drug use. In addition, it notes increases in deaths attributable to injectable heroin and fentanyl, an increase in opiate-related admissions in publicly funded drug treatment centers and the increasing use of programs. of syringes
. significant increases in viral hepatitis or HIV infection due to injection drug use, "the letter says. "While the state has made progress in the fight against opioid abuse, there is still much to be done to protect and improve the health of all Ohio residents."
some programs requiring clients to submit used syringes for new ones. The goal is to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C, which can spread if a person injects a needle that has already been used by an infected person.
Linking Substance Users to Required Medical Care, Overdose Medications and Rehabilitation Services, Opponents Express Concern About the Promotion or Use of Illicit Drugs.
Dennis Cauchon leads the drug rights advocacy group. Ohio, had criticized the Ministry of Health for dragging its feet in submitting the application. He called this deadline a bureaucratic tactic to prevent needle-syringe programs from accessing some $ 7.6 million in federal HIV prevention funding that the state is expected to receive annually in the middle of 2022. [19659002] Cauchon said Friday that Himes' application "Important for Ohio."
"Syringe programs in Ohio are running out of money because the state allows them but does not provide money," Cauchon said Friday. "This will allow the federal state grant to prevent HIV from going where it is supposed to go, in a super-efficient way to prevent the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users."
Health Ministry spokesperson Russ Kennedy had received a staff proposal to seek approval from the CDC earlier this year and the department was considering whether to redirect funding for HIV prevention would undermine the efforts of the Ministry of Health. to reduce HIV in the state.
"After a thorough review, we are confident seeking to reorient some federal funds for HIV prevention to support eligible expenditures on needle programs that will complement Ohio 's efforts to reduce the number of people who need it. HIV incidence, "he said on Thursday
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Cauchon said that he knew 13 syringe programs in Ohio
In Columbus, Equitas Health operated the service to access Safe Point syringes. At the end of last month, leaders said the program should be closed in August if government agencies did not provide more funding, prompting Columbus Public Health and Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Franklin County Council to make contributions to keep it alive until December.
Local authorities say that Franklin County has more than 4,300 active heroin users. The Safe Point program served 3,139 people last year and distributed more than 1.2 million syringes
Himes notes in the CDC's letter that 33 states and territories, including all states bordering the Ohio, have already been allowed to use HIV prevention funds. Ohio is ready to join its bordering states in this mission to provide our communities with the necessary resources and reduce the number of new infections with HIV and hepatitis C. "
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