DHSS Press Release

DHSS DEDICATES NEW NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM VAN
SERVING CITY OF WILMINGTON IN FIVE-YEAR PILOT STUDY

A new medical services van that will reach injected drug users was dedicated today at the Delaware Health and Social Services' (DHSS) Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle. DHSS purchased the van to reduce new cases of HIV and hepatitis transmitted through needle sharing.

The van is the primary tool of the five-year Needle Exchange Pilot Program mandated by the Delaware General Assembly's 2006 passage of SB60 (the Needle Exchange Law). The program receives $230,500 in annual appropriations. It came to fruition after more than a decade of consistent work by Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, the Delaware HIV Consortium, AIDS Delaware, the City of Wilmington, and Dr. Paul Silverman and the late Dr. Robert Jackson of DPH.

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) contracts with Brandywine Counseling, Inc. to drive the van in the City of Wilmington. Brandywine's outreach workers greet drug users, exchange used needles for clean ones, and provide comprehensive and private on-site HIV testing, individualized education and counseling, and referrals to drug treatment programs. DPH's HIV Prevention Program purchased the van, a 2007 Ford E450 with a "Utilimaster" body, for $113,261. The new van replaces two vehicles, including an ambulance loaned by Wilmington's Public Safety Department. "Providing clean needles protects addicted individuals from infection, while protecting their sexual partners who may not know about the drug addiction or practice safer sex," said Dr. Jaime H. Rivera, DPH director. The needle exchange program satisfies two essential public health services: to diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community, and to mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.

Wilmington has a disproportionately high percentage of HIV cases attributed to needle sharing. In 2006, 229 HIV/AIDS cases were reported to DPH, with 52 (23 percent) of those clients infected by sharing needles with an HIV-infected person. Of those cases, 81 percent (42) were among African Americans, 13 percent (7) were among Caucasians and 6 percent were among other ethnic/racial groups. Most alarming to health officials is that 71.42 percent of 2006 reported HIV infections occurred among African-American men and women who reportedly shared needles.

"Today Wilmington and its sister communities are safer and healthier because so many community members worked toward a common goal," Sen. Henry said. She and 14 others sit on the Needle Exchange Oversight Committee.

The white van, identified by magnetic NEP signs, stops weekly at four sites:

• 3rd and Delamore Sts., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon;
• 5th and Harrison Sts., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 2 p.m.;
• 3rd and Church Sts. (near Christiana Park), Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 - 3 p.m.; and
• 14th St. and Northeast Blvd., Thursdays and Fridays, 1 - 3 p.m.

Injected drug users can register with the van to receive services. Clients receive a laminated card with a unique number but no name. Most clients receive one free clean needle for every dirty used needle turned in. To ensure that clients are not obtaining needles for another person, staff ask clients to show the site of their most recent needle mark. Staff also give clients first aid and safe sex kits, the van's regular schedule, and information about on-site HIV counseling and testing services. Clients with other issues, such as mental health or alcohol problems are referred to other agencies for immediate help. Since Feb. 1, the needle exchange program assisted over 138 clients, mostly in the 25-34 year age range. Concerned Wilmington police officers and community members referred some of the clients, who altogether exchanged over 1,600 needles during 351 needle exchanges. Brandywine Counseling referred 31 clients to alcohol, mental health, or drug treatment centers for further treatment. NEP's goals are enroll 200 clients by February 2008 and to expand to eight sites with some night and weekend times.

For more information about the van or the program, call DPH at 302-744-1050. For more information about the van’s schedule and services, contact Brandywine Counseling at (302) 655-9880, ext. 22, www.brandywinecounseling.org.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.