MAR 17 2000

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Ms. Pelosi:

Thank you for your letter of inquiry regarding the state of scientific knowledge of the public health effects of syringe exchange programs. As you know, HIV transmission related to injection drug use remains a serious public health concern, since many new HIV infections result from behaviors associated with injection drug use.

In response to your inquiry, I asked the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, to provide me with an update on the scientific research regarding the effects of syringe exchange programs. I am attaching his response, which includes the Department's updated review of the published scientific literature on the public health effects of syringe exchange programs. Thank you for your interest and commitment to the issue of slowing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our country. I look forward to working together with you on this common goal.