Summary: Do needle exchange programs slow the spread of the AIDS virus by reducing needle sharing among addicts? GAO identified nine needle exchange projects that had published results. Of the three studies with findings based on strong evidence, two reported a reduction in needle sharing while the third reported an increase. Seven of the nine projects looked at whether these programs increased drug use. All five projects with strong evidence found that drug use did not increase among users; four reported no rise in the frequency of injection and one found no increase in the prevalence of use. GAO also found the forecasting model developed at Yale University to be credible. This model established a 33-percent reduction in new HIV infections among New Haven, Connecticut, needle exchange program participants during one year. Although these findings suggest that needle exchange programs may hold promise as an AIDS prevention strategy, the law now blocks the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using funds to directly support needle exchange programs. HHS does, however, have the authority to conduct demonstration and research projects that could provide needles to drug users.
