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EMAN in the News: Needle Exchanges Threatened

A man who identified himself as Kevin holds a handful of syringes at the Down East AIDS Network office in Ellsworth, which offers a needle exchange program. Kevin said he has been exchanging used syringes for about eight months and he even brings in used needles from other drug users and gives them new ones

Drug needle exchanges threatened
Federal budget bill would limit locations available to facilities
Meg Haskell, Bangor Daily News

ELLSWORTH, Maine — Three or four times a week, “Kevin” — not his real name — drops by the inconspicuous, side-street offices of the Down East AIDS Network.

He deposits a handful of used syringes — the tiny, sharp-needled variety favored by intravenous drug users — into a red plastic container labeled for safe disposal. He helps himself to a supply of new syringes, along with some single-dose vials of sterile water he later will mix with crushed prescription painkillers, heat and inject into his bloodstream.

These supplies, and others aimed at reducing the dangers of IV drug abuse, are given away freely, anonymously and without question at DEAN, which has run a low-profile needle exchange program here since 2007. The “harm reduction” goal of the program, and of the three other needle exchange programs that have operated in Maine since 1998, is to reduce the transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis and other diseases related to IV drug use, while also collecting used needles and syringes for safe disposal.

Needle exchange programs like this are imperiled at the federal level. A double-edged Health and Human Services appropriations bill recently approved by the House would free up much-needed federal funding, which has been prohibited in recent years. But advocates say a misguided amendment to the bill would ban federally funded programs from operating in the places they’re most needed. The amendment imposes a 1,000-foot perimeter around any school, college, park, library, public pool, youth center or other place where juveniles typically congregate, and prohibits needle exchange programs from operating inside that zone.

When the Senate passes its version of the Health and Human Services budget bill later this year, the two measures will be merged into a single piece of legislation for final approval by both bodies.

“If the House amendment makes it through [into the final appropriations bill] it will affect virtually all programs located in urban areas,” said Andrew Bossie of the Maine AIDS Alliance. “The HIV community here in Maine is very concerned about this.”

“This restriction would make it virtually impossible to operate a needle exchange program in Ellsworth,” said Steve Richard, executive director of DEAN.

Between schools, day care programs, parks and other sites, he said, there is essentially no place within the small coastal city where the program could be located and still be accessible to the people who need it.

In addition to Ellsworth, other needle exchange programs in Maine are headquartered in Augusta, Bangor and Portland. Some offer occasional mobile services that reach into more rural areas of the state. A fifth site in Lewiston has closed but may reopen in the future. Funding is a shoestring of state dollars, foundation grants and private donations.

Patsy Murphy, director of the Eastern Maine AIDS Network in Bangor, runs the city’s needle exchange program out of her Harlow Street offices. She said the specifics of the proposed restriction are unclear, but it’s unlikely the EMAN program would qualify for federal funds if the House amendment were to be included in the final budget bill.

In the past year, EMAN has collected almost 12,000 dirty needles and given away approximately the same number of clean ones, Murphy said. In addition, out of the approximately 200 drug users enrolled, about 150 have been referred for substance abuse treatment, medical care, mental health counseling and other services.

“There is a lot of relationship-building that goes into this program,” Murphy said. “We all have the utmost respect, compassion and commitment to our clients’ health and well-being.”

The needle exchange program at EMAN has a budget of about $30,000, cobbled together from small private grants and personal donations. It’s enough to keep the program running at its current level, Murphy said, but federal funding would enable a much-needed expansion of services.

“People think we are promoting drug use, but that is simply not the case,” she said. “We are committed to stopping the spread of disease.”

Since 1998, when the first program opened in Portland, tens of thousands of clean needles have been distributed in Maine. According to a recent report to the Maine Legislature, the four programs in 2008 collected a total of more than 29,000 used syringes and gave away close to 31,000 new ones. Nearly 900 individuals partici-pated, including about 260 new enrollees.

The programs also collect and compile anonymous public health data, such as the age and ethnicity of enrollees, their drug of choice, whether they’ve been tested for HIV and hepatitis and what the results of that testing are.

“Science has told us that for IV drug users … these programs are access points to education, testing, substance abuse treatment and other referrals,” said James Markiewicz, director of the HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis Program in the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “The programs are good, sound public health.”

Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree both voted for the Health and Human Services budget bill that contains the amendment. Michaud said in a recent interview that he was unaware of the amendment and would have concerns about its implementation. A spokesman from Pingree’s office said Pingree has co-sponsored leg-islation that would negate the ban in future budgets.

A spokesman from Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office said the location of drug treatment programs, including needle exchange programs, is a “multidimensional challenge” often best left to local decision-makers.

Kevin Kelley of Sen. Susan Collins’ office said Collins supports programs that combat the spread of HIV-AIDS. But, he said, the senator feels taxpayer funds should be spent on “bringing help to the population suffering from heroin addiction, not on giving them more effective means to continue their addiction.”

Bossie of the Maine AIDS Alliance said people who don’t understand the principle of harm reduction are fearful that the programs will attract drug users to their neighborhoods and even worsen the problem of drug abuse.

“But statistics show that having a syringe exchange does not encourage drug use,” Bossie said. “It does mean that people with this unhealthy habit do it more safely, while getting dirty needles off the streets.” At DEAN, needle-exchanger Kevin agreed. The 30-year-old clam digger said intravenous drug use is “rampant” in Hancock and Washington counties. “Everybody and his uncle is using,” he said.

“Especially between Steuben and Lubec, it’s amazing how many people are on the needle.” He often picks up extra supplies for his drug-using friends Down East. Paying for illicit drugs is easier for day laborers like him, who can use a portion of each day’s pay to support their habit, Kevin said.

“A lot of us are pretty here-and-now types,” he said. If needle exchange programs are discontinued, he said, it won’t drive addicts into treatment or make them stop using drugs.

“People are going to do what they do,” he said, bagging his clean supplies in a discreet brown paper sack and heading for the door. “A program like this just makes it cleaner and safer.”

Posted by Suze Howe on Thursday, October 8th 2009 in EMAN in the media

Save the Dates!

World AIDS Day
Tuesday, December 1, 2009

4th Annual
Red Ribbon Ball
Saturday, February 6, 2010

Come Have a Ball with EMAN!

More information will be posted as details are finalized. Hope to see you there!

Posted by Suze Howe on Wednesday, October 7th 2009 in EMAN News and National news

FREE HIV Testing on June 26 as part of National HIV Testing Day!

Do you know your status?

National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign produced by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) held each June 27 to encourage all individuals to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing.

As part of this year's campaign, on Friday, June 26, Eastern Maine AIDS Network (EMAN) will be offering FREE free Rapid HIV antibody testing - with results in approximately 20 minutes - counseling and safer sex supplies from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the EMAN office, 370 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine.

The Maine Centers For Disease Control (CDC) estimates that currently, approximately 1,500 to 1,700 people in the state of Maine are infected with HIV, and as many as 500 people are unaware that they are infected. In Northern Maine alone (Penobscot, Hancock, Piscataquis, Washington and Aroostook counties), there are 208 known cases of people living with HIV - approximately 14% of the total reported cases in the state of Maine - including persons of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, and walks of life.

The decision to take the test is the first step in taking responsibility for your health and the health of others with whom you may be intimately involved. As NAPWA puts it, "Take the test. Take control."

Posted by Suze Howe on Tuesday, June 9th 2009 in EMAN News and Past events

EMAN at PRIDE Festival

Eastern Maine AIDS Network will have a table this weekend at the Bangor area PRIDE Festival sponsored by the Bridge Alliance. We will be in West Market Square, downtown Bangor, from 3:00-8:00pm with information about HIV prevention and testing. If you come to the festival, stop by and say "hi!"

Posted by Suze Howe on Tuesday, June 9th 2009 in EMAN News and Past events

EMAN @ Skate Against Drugs

On Friday, May 29, EMAN joined a number of other local agencies, including Shaw House and Spruce Run, at the Bangor Skate Park for "Skate Against Drugs", an overdose and STD prevention event. Participants were entertained by six different local bands, and despite the pouring rain, there was a high turnout.

Posted by Suze Howe on Monday, June 1st 2009 in EMAN News and Past events

AIDS Walk 2009 a HUGE Success!

First things first - we here at EMAN offer a hearty THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year's walk. Walkers, donors, volunteers - we couldn't do it without you.

The Bangor walkers raised over $7,400.00 for local AIDS Service Organizations! AMAZING! That's an increase of over 75% from last year! Great job, everyone! As soon as we get the last of the donations sorted, we will announce the top fundraisers, both by team and individuals, so look for that soon.

These funds will be matched by the National AIDS Fund, which means over $14,800.00 will be disseminated to various local agencies, just as a result of the Bangor walk alone. In this time of severe budget crunches, these donations are crucial to helping the ASOs continue their vital service to the community.

And speaking of donations - yes, you can still donate! We have another week or so to collect, so if you didn't get a chance to donate or if you know someone who wants to, please feel free! You can mail any checks to EMAN, PO Box 2038, Bangor, ME 04402 or donate via PayPal on the main page of our website: www.maineaidsnetwork.com .

The weather on Saturday turned out to be better than anticipated, and ended up being perfect for walking. Approximately 125 people participated in the walk this year, including men, women, children (and dogs!). Everyone was decked out in red, Mardi Gras beads, funky hats, etc. We were certainly noticed! We had to use a truncated route due to construction, but I don't think anyone minded.

Big thanks to Maine Community AIDS Partnership and Maine AIDS Alliance for their state-wide organization; Wabanaki Mental Health Association for the donation of water, apples and granola bars; Tim Hortons on Broadway for the coffee and hot cocoa; and the Bangor Sam's Club for their donation of a gift card. Also thank you to the Bangor Daily News for their fabulous article on the Walk (which is reproduced in this blog).

Last, but not least, we are (very slowly) uploading photos from the walk to Photobucket for everyone to enjoy. They probably won't be fully uploaded until tonight, but you can check them out later at EMAN's 2009 AIDS Walk album.

Thanks again, everyone, and we'll see you next year!

Posted by Suze Howe on Wednesday, May 6th 2009 in EMAN News and Past events

Bangor Daily News article about the AIDS Walk!

AIDS walk gives disease visibility, raises money

By Nok-Noi Ricker
BDN Staff
May 4, 2009

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KATE COLLINS

Participants in the Bangor Area AIDS Walk acknowledge support from passing motorists during their 5K walk through Bangor on Saturday. Organized by the Maine Community AIDS Partnership, the funds raised by walkers were matched by the National AIDS Fund, with all proceeds benefiting local AIDS and HIV organizations.

BANGOR, Maine - More than 100 people walked in the downtown area Saturday, raising awareness that HIV-AIDS is still a problem in Maine, the country and the world.

"Until the disease goes away, we're not going away," Patsy Murphy of the Eastern Maine AIDS Network said before the event. "HIV-AIDS is still an issue. It's still a problem."

The Bangor AIDS Walk was one of nine held across the state over the weekend to spotlight the disease and raise funds to support programs that help those living with the virus and efforts to prevent its spread.

"We've got dogs and babies" and Mardi Gras beads, Murphy said Saturday as she walked with the group of around 120 people along the Penobscot River waterfront. "We're getting toots and waves" from people along the route.

The Eastern Maine AIDS Network was able to raise more than $4,000 in pledges, and all of the funds raised statewide will be matched by the National AIDS Fund in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

"The dollars raised here stay here," Murphy said.

Even in these hard economic times, residents of Maine have been very giving, said Andrew Bossie of the Maine AIDS Alliance, based in Augusta.

"We have exceeded last year," he said. "We're due to raise over $50,000 statewide, all to be matched by the national AIDS network. I'm pretty pumped."

The locally raised funding is critical because state and federal dollars have decreased over the past several years, he said.

Statewide, more than 1,200 people are living with HIV, the precursor to AIDS, and an estimated 500 others are believed to be infected and don't know it, Bossie said.

"People should go out and get tested ... to help fight this," he said.

While the number of confirmed cases each year is relatively low, more people are testing positive for the disease nowadays than a decade ago, Bossie said.

"The crazy thing is 10 years ago, in '89, we had 32," he said. "The number was 46 last year and 50 the year before that."

Those interested in finding out more about HIV-AIDS or who want to make a donation may contact Bossie at the Maine AIDS Alliance, 899-9983.

nricker@bangordailynews.net
990-8190

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/105152.html

Posted by Suze Howe on Wednesday, May 6th 2009 in EMAN News, EMAN in the media, and Past events

AIDS Walk Route Change

Due to construction on the Penobscot Bridge (and closed sidewalk), we have unfortunately had to change our route and cut out the Brewer portion of the AIDS Walk this year.

Instead, we will be crossing Washington Street, taking a right, then taking a left onto Front Street and walking through the waterfront, as usual.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the EMAN office.

Posted by Suze Howe on Wednesday, April 29th 2009 in EMAN News

Registration Open for Bangor Area AIDS Walk on Saturday, May 2nd!

Walk to Support. Walk to Remember. Walk for the Future.

Eastern Maine AIDS Network will once again be sponsoring the Bangor area route of AIDS Walk Weekend 2009 on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Organized by Maine Community AIDS Partnership (MCAP), walks will take place across the state and in Portsmouth, NH, during the weekend of May 2-3. The funds raised will be matched by the National AIDS Fund, and all monies will go to local HIV/AIDS service organizations.

This 5k (3.1m) walk begins and ends in front of the Eastern Maine AIDS Network office at 370 Harlow Street and will follow a route that goes across the State Street Bridge to Main Street, Brewer, back across the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, and through downtown Bangor. Registration commences at 10:00AM with the Walk starting at 11:00AM.

Can't walk? Not a problem. Volunteers are also needed to help set up, direct participants to the parking areas, and act as crossing guards at the various intersections along the route. Donations are also gratefully accepted.

Participants are encouraged to go to www.aidswalkweekend.com/bangor.htm, our Kintera website, where you can register online and create your very own fundraising page! You can also register by picking up a registration form at the EMAN office at 370 Harlow Street, Bangor, or at 10:00AM on the morning of the walk. There is no fee to participate and pledges are optional, but highly encouraged.

Donations may also be made directly to EMAN through PayPal using the form on our home page.

For more information about AIDS Walk Weekend 2009, go to www.aidswalkweekend.com/bangor.htm or contact Joy Sinclair at 207-990-3626 or joy@maineaidsnetwork.com.

Posted by Suze Howe on Tuesday, March 17th 2009 in EMAN News

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