Surviving Hepatitis C in AZ Jails, State Prisons, and Federal Detention Centers.

The "Hard Time" blogspot is a volunteer-run site for the political organization of people with Hepatitis C behind and beyond prison walls, their loved ones, and whomever cares to join us. We are neither legal nor medical professionals. Some of us may organize for support, but this site is primarily dedicated to education and activism; we are fighting for prevention, detection, treatment, and a cure for Hepatitis C, particularly down in the trenches where most people are dying - in prison or on the street... Join us.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Harm Reduction debate in Australia

This recent news clip is from the Aussies, who are at least having a public dialogue about Hep C harm reduction interventions:

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Needle exchange 'would prevent hep C transmissions'

ABC.net.au

Updated Wed May 19, 2010 7:50am AEST

Drug reform groups and the ACT Greens are pushing for a needle exchange program to be set-up at the prison. (AAP : Julian Smith)

The ACT Greens and drug reform groups have seized on a possible hepatitis C transmission in Canberra's jail to renew their push for a needle exchange program.

There are high levels of hepatitis C in the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

Eighty-two detainees were tested in the last survey and Health Minister Katy Gallagher says 65 per cent of them had the virus.

She says there is evidence one detainee contracted the virus while in the jail.

"So this is our first case where there is evidence to support transmission of hepatitis C whilst in custody," she said.

ACT Health says the man is considering legal action.

"I've heard that there is a view that if there was a needle exchange program this may not have occurred," she said.

She says a needle exchange would bring health benefits but it would also create serious industrial problems.

But Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan says only a needle exchange will prevent transmissions.
"We can't bury our head in the sand about this. We should be providing safety to prisons and prison guards," she said.

Bill Bush from Family and Friends for Drug Law Reform says the Government has a responsibility to introduce an exchange program.

He says the Government is using the discomfort of prison officers as a fig leaf instead of engaging in dialogue.

Opposition corrections spokesman Jeremy Hanson says the possible transmission is one of a long list of failures at the prison.

"We have prisoners now being infected with hep C, we have prisoners protesting on the roof, we have guards taking weapons home - we have a whole range of problems in this jail," he said.

"I think it makes an absolute mockery of [Corrections Minister] Simon Corbell's management of this facility."

The Government says it will review the idea of a needle exchange program later this year.