Syringe Exchange Restrictions Allow HIV Outbreak In Central Appalachia To Linger, Researchers Say

KFF Health News (1/3, Sisk) reported, “More than three years have passed since federal health officials arrived in central Appalachia to assess an alarming outbreak of HIV spread mostly between people who inject opioids or methamphetamine.” Infectious disease experts from the CDC “made a list of recommendations following their visit, including one to launch syringe service programs to stop the spread at its source.” However, “those who’ve spent years striving to protect people who use drugs from overdose and illness say the situation likely hasn’t improved, in part because of politicians who contend that such programs encourage illegal drug use.” In large part, researchers and health workers “say, the outbreak lingers because of restrictions state and local policymakers have placed on syringe exchange efforts.”