CHAIRMAN
June E. Osborn, M.D
VICE CHAIRMAN

David E. Rovers, M.D

MEMBERS

Hon. Diane Ahrens

Scott Allen

Harlon L. Datton, Esq
Don C Dev darhas PhD
Funwe Diaz MS MPH
Mary DD Pisier

Hon Donald S Goldman

eLurrv Kessler

Charles Nonresbere MOD MPH

Hon FD Res Rowland. Vib

Secretary of Derense

Secerctany ot Healtn and Human Services

Secretary aot Veterans Vlas

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ren Wahdus, Ped)

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

1730 K Street, N.W.. Suite 815
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 254-5125 FAX 254-3060 TDD 254-3816

~March 25, 1993

Statement by the National Commission On_AIDS
Concerning GAO Report on Needle Exchange

The Commission is pleased with the conclusions of the GAO
report released today. It is consistent with the
Commission's own findings that needle exchange programs
do not lead to more drug use, and they do result in
behavior change likely to lead to reduced transmission of
HIV. More than one-third of all adult and adolescent AIDS
cases are related to IV drug use.

Don C. Des Jarlais, Ph.D., a member of the Commission who
is an authority on HIV prevention among drug users, said,
"Syringe exchange programs are utilized throughout the
world to prevent HIV infection among injecting drug
users. Hopefully the GAO report will help us move towards
the Commission's recommendations of making drug abuse
treatment available immediately to all who apply, and to
provide legal access to sterile injection equipment. The
report should help remove opposition to properly
designed, community-based needle exchange programs."

The GAO study: was done at the request of Rep. Charles
Rangel, who’. asked GAO to review the data and
recommendations* in the July, 1991 report by the National
Commission On AIDS, entitled "The Twin Epidemics of
Substance Use and HIV."

The GAO report is a comprehensive review of the national
and international data on syringe exchange programs. The
Commission applauds the scientific vigor which the GAO
applied to this process, and we also note that the new
data that has evolved since the Commission's report
sustain's our original conclusions.

* A copy of the report's five recommendations and
executive summary is included.