Approval of Syringe Exchange Programs in California

Results From a Local Approach to HIV Prevention

Bibliographic Data

ID11037408
AuthorsRicky N Bluthenthal (0000-0003-3491-1702, Ricky N. Bluthenthal is with the Health Program and Drug Policy Research Center, Rand Corp, Santa Monica, Calif, and the Sociology Department, California State University, Dominguez Hills. Keith G. Heinzerling is with the Department of Medicine and Integrated Substance Abuse Research Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles. Rachel Anderson and Neil M. Flynn are with the Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of...), Keith G Heinzerling (0000-0001-9746-5821, Ricky N. Bluthenthal is with the Health Program and Drug Policy Research Center, Rand Corp, Santa Monica, Calif, and the Sociology Department, California State University, Dominguez Hills. Keith G. Heinzerling is with the Department of Medicine and Integrated Substance Abuse Research Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles. Rachel Anderson and Neil M. Flynn are with the Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of...), Rachel Anderson (0000-0002-8119-0357, Ricky N. Bluthenthal is with the Health Program and Drug Policy Research Center, Rand Corp, Santa Monica, Calif, and the Sociology Department, California State University, Dominguez Hills. Keith G. Heinzerling is with the Department of Medicine and Integrated Substance Abuse Research Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles. Rachel Anderson and Neil M. Flynn are with the Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of...), Neil M Flynn (Ricky N. Bluthenthal is with the Health Program and Drug Policy Research Center, Rand Corp, Santa Monica, Calif, and the Sociology Department, California State University, Dominguez Hills. Keith G. Heinzerling is with the Department of Medicine and Integrated Substance Abuse Research Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles. Rachel Anderson and Neil M. Flynn are with the Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of...), Alex H Kral (0000-0002-9092-3671, Ricky N. Bluthenthal is with the Health Program and Drug Policy Research Center, Rand Corp, Santa Monica, Calif, and the Sociology Department, California State University, Dominguez Hills. Keith G. Heinzerling is with the Department of Medicine and Integrated Substance Abuse Research Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles. Rachel Anderson and Neil M. Flynn are with the Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of...)
Year2008
Volume98
Issue2
Pages278-283
Publication date2008-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2005.080770
PMID17538068
PMCIDPMC2376876
OpenAlexW2161201115
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited20

Objectives. We studied the effect of local approval of syringe exchange programs in California (through Assembly AB136) on program availability and performance. Methods. We determined the number of active syringe exchange programs in California by conducting Internet searches and obtaining information from the state and from local programs. To track changes in program availability and performance between 2000 and 2002, we interviewed 24 program directors annually for 3 years about program characteristics, syringe exchange policies, law enforcement contact, and other issues. We conducted multivariate analyses to determine whether AB136 approval status was associated with changes in performance. Results. Fifteen local governments (13 counties and 2 cities) enacted the new law by 2002, and operating syringe exchange programs increased from 24 to 35. The proportion of these programs that were not locally approved declined from 54% to 40%. No new approved programs were started in high-need counties. Total syringes exchanged increased by more than 1 million per year, average annual budgets increased by more than 50%, and police harassment of the program volunteers, clients, and operators declined. Improvements at approved syringe exchange programs accounted for these changes. Conclusions. Statewide approval and funding appears necessary to further syringe exchange availability in California

Business · Enforcement · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Law enforcement · Political science · Syringe · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Medicine · Sex work and related issues

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