Abstract

Lifting the federal ban on the funding of syringe exchange: an advocacy campaign

Presented by Allan Clear (United States).

A. Clear, D. Raymond, H. McQuie

Harm Reduction Coalition, New York City, United States

Issues: The United States instituted a ban on the use of federal funds for syringe exchange in 1988. Advocates launched a renewed campaign to overturn the ban in 2006, resulting in Congress removing the restriction in late 2009 and paving the way for the use of federal funds to support syringe exchange.
Description: Direct advocacy to lift the federal ban occurred in two distinct time periods: 1997-1998 and 2006-2009. In 2006, the Harm Reduction Coalition contracted a communications company to analyze messaging and messengers with regard to educating congress about syringe exchange. The report looked at media responses to the 1997 campaign and a 2006 effort that eliminated federal restrictions on use of local money for syringe exchange in Washington DC. The analysis showed that media and community attitudes to syringe exchange had altered considerably during intervening years, and guided message development and strategy for the campaign.
Lessons learned: Several strategies were critical to the success of the campaign to lift the federal funding ban: a concerted and on-going educational campaign targeting key Congressional leaders including grassroots organizing by syringe exchange programs; engaging multiple advocacy partners both in Washington, DC and regionally, with an emphasis on prioritizing the ban in HIV agendas; a media campaign which garnered support for lifting the ban from all major US publications; and identifying and cultivating champions within Congress. This was crucial to keep the campaign visible and viable.
Next steps: The lessons learned from this successful advocacy campaign offer insights to other campaigns advocating for HIV and health issues affecting marginalized populations.