Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
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ACR Health is implementing a public health initiative to reduce the number of HIV and Hepatitis C infections in the Mohawk Valley.

The Safety First Syringe Exchange Program will provide new sterile syringes to people who use injection drugs.

ACR Health Prevention Director Erin Bortel says because of syringe exchange programs across the state, New York has seen a dramatic decrease in the spread of HIV among injection drug users.

Bortel says in 1990, 54% of injection drug users were infected with HIV.

She says the rate in 2012 was just 3%..

This is the second Syringe Exchange Program for ACR Health.

A program in Syracuse opened three years ago and serves 1,000 individuals.

 

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