State Candidates Support Syringe Access for HIV Prevention

Also View Health Care as a Basic Human Right

Chicago, IL– A substantial majority of state and local candidates responding to a recent AIDS Foundation of Chicago survey support programs that expand the availability of sterile syringes to adults as a way of preventing HIV transmission.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago's survey also found that virtually all responding federal, state, and local candidates (90%) believe that health care is a basic human right, and an overwhelming majority of state candidates support legislation that would increase access to health care.

Syringe exchange programs were endorsed by 74% of state and 75% of Cook County respondents, and 67% of all respondents endorsed non-prescription pharmacy sales of sterile syringes to adults. Both of these interventions represent policies strongly supported by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago because they have been proven to reduce HIV transmission without increasing drug use.

Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore responded to the AFC survey, and although neither expressed support for sterile syringe programs, each indicated strong support for federal spending on AIDS research, prevention, and care.

Governor Bush said that he would support significant government-funded research aimed at conquering AIDS and HIV, and specifically endorsed the Ryan White CARE Act as an important and effective tool for responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Vice President Gore also expressed strong support for the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, and indicated that he would push to increase its funding. Gore also expressed support for targeting AIDS funding towards African-American communities, which have been hard hit by the epidemic.

A report of the survey findings, plus Governor Bush’s and Vice President Gore’s responses to AFC, can be found on AFC’s web site, at www.aidschicago.org.

As part of its mission to promote sound AIDS public policy and law, AFC sent questionnaires to all candidates running for local, state, federal, and presidential office in this November’s general election. AFC’s report details the positions of those candidates who responded to the survey, as well as the policies endorsed by AFC. While not endorsing candidates for public office, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago conducts candidate surveys as a service to Illinois AIDS advocates and the general public.

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