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Region 3 HIV/AIDS Community
Planning Council
This Council provides planning guidance and
helps to coordinate HIV/AIDS issues in Snohomish, Island, Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan
Counties. Members come from diverse backgrounds and have knowledge of HIV/AIDS, risk
factors and prevention activities. They serve up to 2 years per term and participate in
monthly meetings, as well as committee meetings. The activities of the Planning Council
insure that there is informed community input into decisions about funding and prevention
plans.
Council activities are funded by a community
prevention planning grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. For
more information, contact the Regional Coordinator, Region 3 AIDS Service Network, 3020
Rucker Avenue, Everett WA 98201, (425) 339-5211.
Island County HIV/AIDS
Task Force
This Task Force participates in community
planning and education on a local level. The Task Force operates in conjunction with
Whidbey AIDS Support Fund as a committee focused on bringing information about HIV/AIDS to
the Island County community through public forums, the media, and community events. For
more information on Task Force activities, and opportunities for involvement, call Kären
Grossman at 678-7932 or 321-5111 ext. 7932
HIV Counseling &
Testing
Whidbey Island: HIV/AIDS
Counseling and Testing is available on Whidbey at three locations: South Whidbey,
Coupeville, and Oak Harbor. All information shared is confidential, and
anonymous testing is also available. There is no charge, or a sliding fee scale determined
by the individual's risks. For an appointment or for further information, call Kären
Grossman at 678-7932 or 321-5111 ext. 7932
Camano Island: Counseling and Testing
is available on Camano Island at the Community Room of the Camano Healthcare Center, 127 N
East Camano Drive every Wednesday from 4:00 — 5:00 pm.
Needle Exchange ***
The Island County Health Department operates a
Needle Exchange program at the following locations and times:
South Whidbey: 5475 S.
Maxwelton Road, Langley ...1st Monday each
month
3:00 - 4:30pm
Oak Harbor: 1791 NE 1st Ave (Whidbey
& Regatta) ...1st and 3rd Tuesdays
2:30 - 4:30pm
Camano Island: 127 N
East Camano Dr. ... 3rd Wednesday 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Frequently Asked Questions
Bloodborne
Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
Options for HIV testing in
Seattle & King County &
STD Facts
The Body .
. . a Multimedia Aids and HIV Information Resource
Project Inform
(information and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS)
HIV
& Hepatitis.com Sexual Health Info Center (an indexed listing of STDs)
CDC Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Johns Hopkins AIDS Service-
Infectious Diseases The HIV Daily Briefing
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Island County Needle Exchange ***
A policy establishing a Needle Exchange Program in Island County, has been instituted
by the Island County Health Officer, making Island County the 6th county in the Puget
Sound region (9th in the state) to embrace this tactic to diminish the spread of
bloodborne infection. (Where & When?)
The objective of the program is to intervene in the disease process of intravenous drug
users in order to stop the spread of HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), and Hepatitis B and
C. Additionally, the program will provide an opportunity for intravenous drug users to
consider behavior changes, drug treatment, and reduction of risk in the context of
on-going contact with experienced professionals.
The program has been developed carefully and thoughtfully, through a series of meetings
and consultations with experts in similar public health programs, Health Department staff,
and other professionals and citizens who have an interest in the program. Details of the
program have been shared with concerned and involved groups, in the form of meetings and
updates, as plans were developed.
The program has been implemented within the context of the HIV/AIDS Project’s
Counseling and Testing program, utilizing trained and experienced staff and existing
facilities. It is being conducted within scheduled times and in one-to-one contacts. In
addition to the exchange of syringes, clients of the program are being given information
on health, HIV Counseling and Testing, drug treatment, and other counseling specific to
their situations and needs. Contacts are advised that needle exchange is for disease
prevention only, and that possession of such paraphernalia is unlawful.
The program benefits those who come into contact with intravenous drug users and their
discarded syringes, including: domestic partners and their children, law enforcement
officers, solid waste employees, and citizens on beaches and in parks. Needle exchange
offers protection to pharmacists who may risk arrest by selling needles which become drug
paraphernalia.
Already an accepted practice in eight counties in Washington, five of which are in the
Puget Sound region, needle exchange is an effective public health strategy which will
become an important part of Island County’s efforts to promote health and safety for
the entire community...
FAQs: What is this program about, anyway?
Does needle exchange reduce the
number of HIV infections?
Does needle exchange increase drug use?
Does needle exchange increase Crime?
Does needle exchange increase the number of contaminated
syringes on the streets?
How Can needle exchange help a community?
Do Americans support needle exchange?
What Is our current federal policy on needle exchange?
What should federal government do regarding needle
exchange?
*** Pharmacies
exempted:
In order to reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases, on March 28, 2002
Governor Locke signed into law House Bill 1759, making it lawful for anyone over age 18 to
purchase syringes or needles at any pharmacy in the state of Washington. This bill
also revised the drug paraphernalia legislation (RCW 69.50.412 & 69.50.4121) to
specifically exempt pharmacies from any penalties associated with the sale and/or
distribution of syringes and needles for this purpose.
Name reporting throughout
Washington became official on 1 September 1999. Previously, only AIDS and
symptomatic HIV infection were reportable. Approximately 8500 cases of AIDS have been
reported in Washington State since reporting began in 1982, and an additional 6000 -8000
HIV-infected persons are estimated to reside in Washington. Two-thirds of them are thought
to be unaware of their HIV status. (A positive HIV diagnosis now means the
person's name will be reported to local health departments. After 90 days, the name is
coded before being destroyed, permitting statistical information only.)
Reporting Requirements:
Health Care Providers are required to
report to the local health department, all cases by name, of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, including:
all newly documented HIV infections unless the testing is conducted
anonymously
all clients previously known to be infected who seek health care
regardless of the date of the patient's initial diagnosis or if done anonymously
Laboratories are required to report
evidence of HIV infection:
Western Blot assays, p24 antigen detection, viral culture, or 'viral
loads'.
Low CD4 counts, e.g., less than 200/µl or 14% of
total lymphocytes (already reportable since 1993).
Note: Laboratory reporting does not relieve health
care providers of their duty to report, because most of the information necessary for
surveillance and follow-up is not provided by the laboratory report.
Purpose of Named Reporting:
Named reporting will:
Provide greater understanding of the current dynamics of HIV
transmission and of the scope of the HIV epidemic.
Help to identify and to inform infected persons of their status and to
assist them in seeking appropriate services for medical care, partner notification,
counseling, and prevention of subsequent transmission.
Help to acquire and allocate the resources necessary to address this
major public health issue.
Public Health Role
Local health officials:
Complete the case report within 90 days of beginning case investigation.
Report the case to the Washington State Department of Health:
~ If an asymptomatic infection, the local health department replaces the patient's
name with a standard code prior to forwarding to the state.
~ If a symptomatic infection (diagnosed as AIDS), the local health department
reports to the state by name (same as in the past).
Local Health officials cannot contact those with HIV
infection unless the health care provider reports that the client requests help with
partner notification, or that the client declines to notify partners.
More Information Available
Island County Health and Human Services is available to answer your
questions about HIV reporting. We want to facilitate partner notification, particularly
where partners may be difficult to find or to approach. Therefore, it is important to ask
clients if Health and Human Services may contact them when assistance is requested. Please
call 679-7351 x7231 for more information. You may also send questions to Kären Grossman,
HIV/AIDS program coordinator at kareng@co.island.wa.us
Do not use e-mail for reporting cases. |
