Determination That a Demonstration Needle Exchange Program Would be Effective in Reducing Drug Abuse and the Risk of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users, 10038 [2011-3990]

Download as PDF 10038 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / Notices Seleda Perryman, Office of the Secretary, HHS PRA Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–3961 Filed 2–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4151–AE–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Determination That a Demonstration Needle Exchange Program Would be Effective in Reducing Drug Abuse and the Risk of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service, VADM Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A., has determined that a demonstration needle exchange program (or more appropriately called syringe services program or SSP) would be effective in reducing drug abuse and the risk of infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This determination reflects the scientific evidence supporting the important public health benefit of SSPs, and is necessary to meet the statutory requirement permitting the expenditure of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant funds for SSPs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, Maryland, attention John Campbell, 240–276–2891. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration administers the SAPT Block Grant authorized in section 1921 of Title XIX, Part B, Subpart II of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 300x–21). Section 1931(a)(1)(F) of Title XIX, Part B, Subpart II of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300x–31(a)(1)(F)) prohibits the expenditure of SAPT Block Grant funds to ‘‘* * * carry out any program prohibited by section 256(b) of the Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 1988’’ (42 U.S.C. 300ee–5). Section 256(b) prohibits the use of ‘‘* * * funds provided under this Act or an amendment made by this Act…to provide individuals with hypodermic needles or syringes * * * unless the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service determines that a demonstration mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:50 Feb 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 needle exchange program would be effective in reducing drug abuse and the risk that the public will become infected with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.’’ SSPs are widely considered to be an effective way of reducing HIV transmission among individuals who inject illicit drugs and there is ample evidence that SSPs also promote entry and retention into treatment (Hagan, McGough, Thiede, et al., 2000, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 19, 247– 252). According to research that tracks individuals in treatment over extended periods of time, most people who get into and remain in treatment can reduce or stop using illegal or dangerous drugs. In addition to promoting entry to treatment, there are studies that document injection reductions for drug users who participate in SSPs. Hagan, et al., found that, not only were new SSP participants five times more likely to enter drug treatment than non-SSP participants, former SSP participants were more likely to report significant reduction in injection, to stop injecting altogether, and to remain in drug treatment. A summary of the research on SSPs is available at https:// www.samhsa.gov/ssp. The Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service has therefore determined that a demonstration syringe services program would be effective in reducing drug abuse and the risk that the public will become infected with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The Department of Health and Human Services plans to issue guidelines regarding implementation requirements for SSPs based on this determination. Dated: February 17, 2011. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–3990 Filed 2–18–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4150–28–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable materials, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Initial Review Group, Neurological Sciences and Disorders K. Date: March 10–11, 2011. Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: Melrose Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20037. Contact Person: Shanta Rajaram, PhD, Scientific Review Officer, Scientific Review Branch, NINDS/NIH/DHHS, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Blvd., Suite 3208, MSC 9529, Bethesda, MD 20892. 301–435– 6033. rajarams@mail.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.853, Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders; 93.854, Biological Basis Research in the Neurosciences, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: February 16, 2011. Anna P. Snouffer, Deputy Director, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2011–4014 Filed 2–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Institute of General Medical Sciences; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of General Medical Sciences Special Emphasis Panel, PSI Biology Meeting. Date: March 11, 2011. Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 10038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3990]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Determination That a Demonstration Needle Exchange Program Would 
be Effective in Reducing Drug Abuse and the Risk of Acquired Immune 
Deficiency Syndrome Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Surgeon General of the United States Public Health 
Service, VADM Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A., has determined that a 
demonstration needle exchange program (or more appropriately called 
syringe services program or SSP) would be effective in reducing drug 
abuse and the risk of infection with the etiologic agent for acquired 
immune deficiency syndrome. This determination reflects the scientific 
evidence supporting the important public health benefit of SSPs, and is 
necessary to meet the statutory requirement permitting the expenditure 
of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant funds 
for SSPs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, 
Maryland, attention John Campbell, 240-276-2891.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
administers the SAPT Block Grant authorized in section 1921 of Title 
XIX, Part B, Subpart II of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 
U.S.C. 300x-21). Section 1931(a)(1)(F) of Title XIX, Part B, Subpart II 
of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-31(a)(1)(F)) prohibits the expenditure 
of SAPT Block Grant funds to ``* * * carry out any program prohibited 
by section 256(b) of the Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 
1988'' (42 U.S.C. 300ee-5). Section 256(b) prohibits the use of ``* * * 
funds provided under this Act or an amendment made by this 
Act[hellip]to provide individuals with hypodermic needles or syringes * 
* * unless the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service determines 
that a demonstration needle exchange program would be effective in 
reducing drug abuse and the risk that the public will become infected 
with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.''
    SSPs are widely considered to be an effective way of reducing HIV 
transmission among individuals who inject illicit drugs and there is 
ample evidence that SSPs also promote entry and retention into 
treatment (Hagan, McGough, Thiede, et al., 2000, Journal of Substance 
Abuse Treatment, 19, 247-252). According to research that tracks 
individuals in treatment over extended periods of time, most people who 
get into and remain in treatment can reduce or stop using illegal or 
dangerous drugs. In addition to promoting entry to treatment, there are 
studies that document injection reductions for drug users who 
participate in SSPs. Hagan, et al., found that, not only were new SSP 
participants five times more likely to enter drug treatment than non-
SSP participants, former SSP participants were more likely to report 
significant reduction in injection, to stop injecting altogether, and 
to remain in drug treatment. A summary of the research on SSPs is 
available at https://www.samhsa.gov/ssp.
    The Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service has 
therefore determined that a demonstration syringe services program 
would be effective in reducing drug abuse and the risk that the public 
will become infected with the etiologic agent for acquired immune 
deficiency syndrome. The Department of Health and Human Services plans 
to issue guidelines regarding implementation requirements for SSPs 
based on this determination.

    Dated: February 17, 2011.
Kathleen Sebelius,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-3990 Filed 2-18-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P
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