The ban on using federal funds for syringe exchange programs was just reinstated. These programs have been shown to reduce rates of HIV and offer opportunities for injection drug users to connect with valuable resources. The following is from the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance:


"It took AIDS activists 21 years to get Congress to restore federal funding for local programs that supply clean needles to drug users. It's taken Republicans a couple of months of hardball negotiations to get the ban reinstated."
- Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 25, 2011

It was sticks and ashes in our stockings this year from the GOP, but we're not going to wait another five years to get the federal ban on syringe access funding lifted again! Our GOP opponents, the White House, and our too-soft supporters in Congress are all going to be hearing from us loud and clear over the coming months. Our first step is to let those who led the chargeknow we are watching, and holding them responsible.

Speaker John Boehner (OH- R) and Chairman Hal Rogers (KY- R) are the two Members of Congress most responsible for reinstating the ban on the use of federal funds for syringe exchange. Please join us in letting them know we strongly object to their actions by signing this petition today, and please spread this alert far and wide.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1627/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9373

We will deliver them in person with as many signatures as possible by February 15!