sifs debate

8/7/2019 SIFS Debate

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[BBC video clip]


2/14

69 SIFs worlwide : 8 countries, 27 cities as of 2009


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DEBATES

intelligence2

THINK TWICE.


4/14

Motion:

A Safe Injection Facility (SIF) for

injection drug users (IDUs) needs to bepiloted in San Francisco.

Dirty

needles

Reused

needle theyused before

Shared

needleafter use

Reused

Someoneelses needle

intelligence2 : Think twice.


5/14


FOR:

Hang Drug Policy Alliance

Judy San Francisco Hep C Task Force

AGAINST:

Dina Office of the San FranciscoMayor

PRELIMINARY VOTE

YES

NO

UNDECIDED


6/14

OPENING STATEMENTS

Dirty

needles

Reused

needle they

used before

Shared

needle

after use

Reused

Someone

elses needle



7/14


Salient Points from the SF Hep C Task Force

- Hep C prevalent among SF IDUs, HIV co-infection

- HCV prevention costs < HCV Tx (lifetime cost est.

$100,000-300,000).

- HIV prevention costs ($39/life-year saved) < HIV Tx

(>$2,000/life-year saved)

- SIF can generate incremental net savings of >$18 million,

help IDUs gain >175 life-years over 10 years.

- SIFs offer Hep/HIV counseling, STD & TB screening,

referrals to Tx & rehab.- San Francisco: nations model of courage & leadership in

social justice issues


8/14


Salient Points from the Drug Policy Alliance

- Harm reduction: a comprehensive approach to drug abuse

and policy.

- Secondary prevention vs. tertiary prevention:

possibility of changing behavior, leads to better quality of

life- Reduces incidence of OD, traffic in the ED

- Ability to reach highest risk groups who do not have

access to healthcare (sex workers, homeless)

- Protects the public from accidental puncture d/timproperly disposed needles


9/14


Salient Points from the Office of the SF Mayor

- SF already spending for NEPs, Naloxone distribution,

Methadone clinics, outpatient/inpatient drug rehabprograms, street outreach programs.

- SIFs will violate 2 Sections of Federal Controlled

Substance Act:

- Sec 844: prohibits drug possession q SIF client can bearrested

- Sec 856: Crack House Statute makes illegal to knowingly

open or maintain any place for the purpose of unlawfully

using a controlled substance.

- SIF: a complex legal battle that takes SF away from

pressing matters: city budget, pension reform, job

creation


10/14

DISCUSSION

Dirty

needles

Reused

needle they

used before

Shared

needle

after use

Reused

Someone

elses needle



11/14

CLOSING STATEMENTS

Dirty

needles

Reused

needle they

used before

Shared

needle

after use

Reused

Someone

elses needle



12/14


Salient Points from Closing Arguments

FOR:

- Do we continue to waste money & resources or do we

follow clear evidence & invest in something that works?

- SIFs are not just science also about healthcare reform

and human rights, compassion and dignity.

AGAINST:

- SIFsa legal mess that will require changes from all

branches of the federal government.

- Are you willing to risk your healthcare provider licensesto violate federal law?


13/14

BEFORE AFTER

YES

NO

UNDECIDED



14/14

www.intelligencesquaredus.org Bloomberg TV National Public Radio

REFERENCES

www.hepcsf.org

www.drugwarfacts.org

www.stopthedrugwar.org

www.drugpolicy.org

www.who.int/hiv/topics/idu/en/index.html

The San Francisco Chronicle & Bay Area News Group

California Department of Public Health

American Journal of Public Health

E-mail us if you want a detailed list of bibliographical references.

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sifs debate

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