This month, the San Diego City Council will review the first annual report of Family Health Centers of San Diego’s clean-syringe exchange program (CSEP). Vocal opponents managed to shut down CSEP in 2005, after the program had operated for four years. The program re-launched in 2006.

CSEP’s challengers don’t have facts working in their favor. Their attack on the program relies on a flimsy plea of “Not-in-my-backyard,” and the claim that a clean needle-exchange program condones drug use.

Fact is, more than 3,600 people used CSEP’s services in 2007. Visitors include diabetics and others who rely on intravenous medication, who need to dispose of used syringes. Each visitor is required to sit with a case manager, and case managers can offer referrals for housing or drug treatment.

Fact is, crime has not increased in the East Village, and it has only slightly increased (up six incidents from 2006) in North Park, the neighborhoods in which the mobile program sets up shop one day a week for three hours.

Fact is, without a clean needle-exchange program, intravenous drug users, who are the bulk of CSEP’s clients, would continue to use and share dirty needles, increasing the risk of hepatitis C and HIV infection.

Fact is, clean needle-exchange programs reduce high-risk behavior and the spread of hepatitis C and HIV.

So what are the NIMBYs so adamantly opposed to?

No evidence suggests CSEP clients are responsible for the six (count them, six) incidents that comprise the crime increase reported in the North Park neighborhood the program operates in.

The program’s unobtrusive set-up (an RV parked in a nonresidential area) isn’t attracting riffraff or drug lords.

Further, the vast majority of studies show the benefits of clean needle-exchange programs far outweigh the detriments, whatever they may be.

What’s their beef?

Opponents refuse to acknowledge the program’s merit, or a public health crisis (in 2001, the city declared a public health state of emergency due to the spread of hepatitis C and HIV).

In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control reported that one in five new HIV infections and the bulk of hepatitis C infections are the result of injection drug use.

The National Institute of Health estimates that between 15 and 20 percent of intravenous drug users have HIV, and at least 70 percent have hepatitis C.

According to numerous reports, clean-needle exchange programs greatly reduce high-risk injection behavior by drug users.

We cannot ignore the unchecked spread of hepatitis C and HIV and the rampant drug abuse in our community. Clean needle-exchange programs are the best outreach solution, now, to intravenous drug users. The opposition certainly isn’t offering a valid alternative.

The San Diego City Council is tasked with operating in the city’s best interest. When it convenes to review CSEP’s first annual report, we hope our councilmembers know it is in our best interest to support this vital program.