Coalition issues letter to President Obama: Remove ban on syringe exchange funding

As Congress continues to consider legislation to remove the federal ban on syringe exchange funding, the Coalition for a National AIDS Strategy called on President Obama to take a leadership role, pushing Congress to send him a bill this year.

The letter was delivered to the President on October 9, 2009. The full text is below:

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you for your commitment to developing and implementing a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) for the United States. We are among the 500 organizations and 2,400  individuals who signed the Call to Action for a NHAS and who, for the past several years, have been advocating for a more coordinated, accountable and outcomes-oriented approach to HIV/AIDS in the United States through a NHAS.

As organizations and individuals committed to an evidence-based, effective HIV prevention effort, we also understand the urgency of removing the ban on federal funds for syringe exchange programs (SEPs). As you know, numerous federally funded studies have found that SEPs reduce HIV and hepatitis C incidence without increasing drug use or crime. Yet lack of resources makes it impossible for SEPs around the country to meet communities’ needs for the essential prevention, treatment and other services these programs provide. The challenge is particularly acute as states across the country grapple with fiscal shortfalls by reducing state funding for vital HIV/AIDS prevention programming, including SEPs.

Earlier this year, you reaffirmed your support for removing the ban on federal funding for SEPs and indicated you want to eliminate the ban as part of the NHAS process. We are writing to let you know that efforts to remove the SEPs ban cannot wait until completion of your Administration’s NHAS.

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