Syringes In Social Work

Introduction As social workers, we work with an array of different communities, and whether we work with children, families, adults or businesses, it is inventible that we will come across at least one individual who uses syringes. Whether it be for their drugs or if they are affected by a loved one’s HIV, Hepatitis C or Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). People who inject drugs (PWID) are the most vulnerable group to contract HIV and 28 times higher than among the rest of the population (Avert). And per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, heroin use has increased more than 60% in recent years which leads to a new height of numerous HIV outbreaks. So, while we may or may not work with those affected by syringe use, it is important
Many believed that by allowing syringe access and using government aid to support them came across as encouraging and condemning drug use (Des Jarlais et al.). There was so much opposition to syringe access programs that in 1998 there was an amendment put in place that prohibited the use of federal funds for syringe access programs until there was an evaluation that syringe access programs reduced HIV transmission, while not increasing drug use. (Des Jarlais, 2006). With this major halt in the development of efficient syringe access programs, it is believed that there were 4,000 – 9,700 avoidable HIV infections occurring during this time (Heimer,
Research shows that syringe access programs are effective in decreasing HIV and Hepatitis when they are included in medical treatment and prevention services. And because of the overwhelming evidence that they do not increase drug use and their apparent effectiveness in decreasing HIV and other diseases, U.S. Congress voted and signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, to lift a previously imposed ban on Federal funding for syringe services programs in December 2009. “Subsequently, on December 17, 2011, Congress passed HR 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, which President Obama signed into law on December 23, 2011." (GovTrack.us) "This act reinstated the ban that was in place before December 2009." (aids.gov) Thus, using federal funds for the distribution of needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug is prohibited. (aids.gov) Most recently on December 18, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113), which modifies the restriction on the use of federal funds for programs distributing sterile needles or syringes for Health and Human Services. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Division H