April 17, 2012

REP. DILLON KICKS OFF 2012 AIDS WALK NEW HAVEN
Calls out Congress for cutting federal funds for needle exchange

Rep. Pat Dillon (D-New Haven) spoke Sunday to participants at AIDS Walk New Haven, the annual 5K walk to raise money for local HIV/AIDS care and treatment services. Festivities for the walk were centered on the New Haven Green.

“We have come a long way,” Rep. Dillon told participants. “There was a time when the public and policy-makers were terrified and there was real talk of quarantining AIDS patients. While we still face challenges, we are standing on much higher ground today.”

Rep. Dillon, a longtime AIDS advocate, co-wrote Connecticut’s needle exchange program. She is credited with shaping much of Connecticut's AIDS policy and worked to develop the state’s AIDS pharmacy programs.

“I am troubled that extremists in Congress have hijacked federal funding for needle exchange programs,” Rep. Dillon said. “Needle exchanges have proven to be an effective tool in managing the spread of HIV.”

The funds raised from AIDS Walk New Haven go to the nine member agencies of The New Haven Mayor's Task Force on AIDS: AIDS Interfaith Network, AIDS Project New Haven, Leeway INC, Hill Health Center, Hispanos Unidos, Liberty Community Services, New Haven Home Recovery, Fair Haven Community Health Center, and Planned Parenthood.