Program aimed at reducing HIV asks for your support June 1
We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Windham Harm Reduction Coalition and are looking for your support on Tuesday, June 1 at the Windham Town Council meeting, at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 979 Main St. (corner of High and Main Streets).
This is not just a form letter, but a genuine request for your help on June 1.
WHRC is at a critical moment, one which will affect the lives of all residents in Windham County.
WHRC’s overall mission is to promote the health and safety of the community we serve through empowering people who are struggling with drug use, as well as commercial sex workers and their families, by offering comprehensive harm reduction services.
For those of you who may be unsure, however, as to the effectiveness of Harm Reduction programs such as ours, here are a few facts courtesy of The Lancet medical journal (1997;349:1797-1800.).
A study of 81 cities around the world compared HIV infection rates among IDUs (intravenous drug users) in cities that had NEPs (Needle Exchange Programs) with cities that did not have NEPs.
In the 52 cities without NEPs, HIV infection rates increased by 5.9 percent per year on average.
In the 29 cities with NEPs, HIV infection rates decreased by 5.8 percent per year.
The study concluded that NEPs appear to lead to lower levels of HIV infection among intravenous drug users.
A written letter of support from Town Council for harm reduction services in Windham County is needed to ensure our eligibility for Department of Public Health Funding in 2011.
Access to state funding at this time is critical to allowing us to offer much needed health services.
Your voice at Town Hall on June 1 will help strengthen and build a healthier community for everyone in Windham County.
Your support could be as simple as a letter stating: “My name is —— . I am a local (resident, teacher, employee/employer, etc.) and I support the work of the Windham Harm Reduction Coalition here in Windham County.”
Thank you so much for your time. A brief RSVP would be much appreciated and would allow us to appropriately prepare for the meeting.
Please forward this information to others you feel have an interest in offering their support.
- Submitted by Chris Heneghan, Ronni Hyde, Maria Yates and Tim Zimmer – Working Members of the Windham Harm Reduction Coalition
“Take Care, Give Care”
(860) 234-7313
windhamharmreductioncoalition@gmail.com
http://www.harmreduction.org/userdata_display.php?modin=50&uid=959
Posted June 1, 2010
