Governor Asks Congress to Fund Needle-Exchange Programs

Malloy wants Congress to fund needle-exchange programs

Posted on May 19, 2015 | By Ken Dixon

On AIDS Awareness Day, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today asked Congress to fund needle-exchange programs to cut the spread of HIV.

Here’s the letter: “The prescription opioid and heroin epidemic ravaging our country and the recent outbreak of HIV and hepatitis in the Midwest underscore a federal policy that is failing our public health system. The time has come for Congress to reverse its ban on funding syringe exchange programs. Infected needles result in 3,000 to 5,000 transmissions of HIV each year and an estimated 10,000 transmissions of the hepatitis C virus in the United States. People who inject drugs make up eight percent of new HIV infections in the United States, and over 60 percent of new hepatitis C (HCV) infections, an emerging epidemic in young people. Syringe exchange programs are a proven and cost-effective approach for preventing transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis among people who inject drugs. Data supports that these programs promote public health and safety by taking syringes off the streets. They also help protect law enforcement personnel from needle stick injuries, which can result in the transmission of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Connecticut, a state with legal syringe since 1992, has seen a steep decline in HIV cases among injection drug users. Injection drug use risk represented almost 40 percent of newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2002, and only 8.5 percent of newly diagnosed cases in 2013. The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors recently named a fellowship in honor of Beth Weinstein, who served as the AIDS Director for the Connecticut Department of Public Health from 1987-2002. She helped usher in the law that led to one of the first syringe exchange programs in the United States. Because of Ms. Weinstein’s leadership, Connecticut’s syringe exchange program has saved thousands of lives. Still the need for these services is great. The current ban on use of federal funds for syringe exchange limits the success of state funded public health initiatives like Connecticut’s syringe exchange program. I urge you to work with your colleagues in Congress to reverse this ban and support the use of federal funds for syringe exchange.

Sincerely,


Dannel P. Malloy
Governor”




courtesy of:  http://blog.ctnews.com/dixon/2015/05/19/malloy-wants-congress-to-fund-needle-exchange-programs/

National Youth HIV & AIDS Awarness Day - Saturday, April 11, 2015 - Free HIV Testing Event

 FREE & CONFIDENTIAL

HIV TESTING EVENT

Results within 20 minutes

NEW HAVEN

PUBLIC LIBRARY

133 Elm Street, New Haven, CT

Saturday, April 11th

11:00AM-2PM

Testing is Prevention - Know Your Status

 

(203)936-8NOW

(203)936-8669

Contact us by secure, confidential e-mail at

 testnow@libertycs.org

TEST NOW - KNOW NOW

 

A Project of Liberty Community Services, Inc.  .

National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day - New Haven

Quick facts about HIV among young people:

An estimated one-third of new HIV infections are among young people ages 13 to 29 – and in the U.S., over 35,000 young people between the ages of 13 and 24 are living with HIV.

Youth of color are disproportionally affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the United States.

African Americans and Latinos experienced almost 80% of new infections among young people in the U.S. while together they make up 32% of the population.

Between 2006 and 2009, young people ages 13 to 29 were the only demographic to show an increase in HIV incidence – with the majority of new infections among young men who have sex with men.

Test NOW - Know NOW 

Confidential, free, rapid HIV testing. 

Saturday, April 11, 2015 11 AM to 2 PM 

New Haven Free Public Library 133 Elm Street, New Haven, CT

National Youth and HIV Awareness Day - April 10, 2015

 

 National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day – April 10

Today's young people are the first generation that has never known a world without HIV and AIDS. In the United States, almost 40 percent of new HIV infections are young people ages 13 to 29. Despite this harsh reality, young people and their allies are determined to end this pandemic once and for all.
It’s more important than ever to recommit to the fight against HIV and AIDS. We must continue to invest in scientific advancements like a vaccine and a cure - without forgetting the importance of prevention strategies and ensuring equal access to information and healthcare for everyone.
And most importantly, we must invest in young people  - bring them to the table not only as partners, but as leaders that can truly turn the tide of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Only by fully investing in young people - in their health, their education, and their leadership - can we reach an AIDS-free generation.

Why a National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day?

The creation of NYHAAD is a step toward acknowledging and addressing the needs of young people in the HIV and AIDS response.  Each year, young activists in high schools and at colleges and universities across the country will use this day to organize and educate about HIV and AIDS. They will promote HIV testing, fight stigma, and start the necessary conversation we need to deal honestly and effectively with the challenges we face. NYHAAD will also provide a yearly date for all of us to hold our leaders responsible to their commitments and invest in realizing an AIDS-free generation.

What can I do?


Click here to add your name in support of National Youth HIV & AIDS Day. Together, we can make sure that the needs – and voices – of young people are central to the U.S. response to HIV & AIDS.

What can my organization do?

Click Here to Endorse the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day



Courtesy of http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/nyhaad-home

AIDS Awareness Day

AIDS Awareness Day Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at the State Capitol IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date for AIDS Awareness Day has been changed to Tuesday, April 22. Everything else remains the same. Please share with your contacts, clients and co-workers. Let's make this year bigger and better than ever. Meet us on the North Steps of the State Capitol in Hartford and don't forget to wear your red HIV+? t-shirt. Schedule: 10:00 a.m. - Registration/Sign-in 11:00 a.m. - Rally begins 12:00 p.m. - Boxed lunch (provided) Afternoon - Meetings with legislators For more information visit www.aids-ct.org or contact ACT's Director of Public Policy, Shawn Lang at 860-247-2437 x319. Click here for a printable PDF flyer.

Free Syringe Exchange in New Haven, CT

Mobile Outreach Van Schedule - (203) 901-7687

Monday

Best Way Inn - Pond Lily - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Three Judges Hotel - Whalley Ave. - 12:35 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Dixwell & Division - 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Grand & Ferry - 3:35 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday
Lamberton & Hurlburt - 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Lloyd & Exchange - 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Grand & Ferry - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Grand & Hamilton - 3:35 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Wenesday
Home Deliveries - 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday
Lloyd & Exchange - 11:30 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lamberton & Hurlburt - 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Grand & Ferry - 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Grand & Hamilton - 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Exchanges can also be made Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the New Haven Health Department,
54 Meadow Street, 1st Floor.

To contact the Van, please call (203) 901-7687
*Please note the schedule is subject to change*

For a full listing, use this link:  City of New Haven SEP Schedule

Elton John AIDS Foundation News

Hello Readers, I am very pleased to share a wonderful story about David Furnish that recently ran in The Guardian, which highlights David’s leadership as chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation: www.theguardian.com "Everyone should be tested," David told The Guardian. "Whenever they have a checkup, they should test for HIV, because if we can get to a point in our society where everyone is automatically tested, nobody will fall through the net. In strictly medical terms, there's no difference between HIV and diabetes; they're not curable, but they're very, very highly treatable, and early information is power. The only thing – literally the single only thing – that is different is the stigma. And we have to overcome it, because it is now the only reason people are dying.” www.theguardian.com All of us at EJAF are tremendously proud of David’s national and international leadership on this critical issue. Sincerely, Scott P. Campbell Executive Director  P.S. Please visit www.ejaf.org to find detailed information about EJAF's mission and history and to make secure, tax-deductible, online donations in support of our work. If you would like to unsubscribe from Elton John AIDS Foundation emails, you may do so at any time here