Senators want free syringes study halted

Senators on Wednesday called for the suspension of the distribution of syringes to drug users in a Cebu barangay (village), which is part of a research study on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The distribution of syringes is part of a harm reduction strategy that aims to reduce the possibility of drug users contracting the deadly HIV/AIDS virus due to the sharing of needles.

The study, begun in 2014, is being undertaken in Barangay Kamagayan in Cebu by the Department of Health, Philippine National AIDS council, the Cebu City local government and Population Services International, and is funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Barangay Kamagayan was designated a “safe zone,” or an area where no arrests for drug paraphernalia possession would be carried out insofar as the needle and syringe exchange program was concerned.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III, who criticized the program in a recent privilege speech, said even Department of Health Secretary Janette Garin was against it.

“She authorized me to inform the committee that she does not support the harm reduction program,” Sotto said at a hearing of the public order and dangerous drugs committee on Wednesday.

Sen. Grace Poe, who chaired the hearing, said the handing out of syringes should be suspended for further review by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

Poe said there must be clear parameters for the program, such as ensuring that the people receiving the needles are included in the study and also receive counseling, not just paraphernalia they could use for illegal drugs.