NEEDLE EXCHANGE T's FOR XMAS!

Yes, in a most unholy alliance, the local needle exchange has decided to do a major promotion of their TOTALLY FABULOUS AND ROCKIN' T shirts during the holiday gift giving season.

Here's the online store where you can see for yourself how fabulous they actually are http://www.austinharmreduction.org

We're doing this because, well because...WE NEED MONEY

If you don't know, Austin has had an underground, illegal needle exchange for about 15 years. While we've always worked quietly, out of sight of the authorities (or so we pretend), we've rocked steady for a long long time, creating the oldest and largest, continuously-running underground exchange in the country.

But it would be safe to say this has been the hardest year in the needle exchange's history. A major grantor decided to no longer fund needle exchange--any needle exchange, not just ours. And our Project Director, who runs the van day to day, was ordered by his doctor off the van immediately because of his health (he is HIV and hep C positive). As a result we had to reduce the number of days the van goes out from 4 to 3, reduce the staff hours, as well as reduce the number of points any one client can receive, in order to save money.

But we're running short on cash. We have a couple of grants scheduled to come in in February, but we need additional funds to make it through the first couple of months of the year.

So, we're having...

A MAJOR T-SHIRT PROMOTION!

As well as...

A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!

Need a great gift? What says love more that "clean needles save lives"?

Don't wear t-shirts? Join the AHRC, and we'll keep you up to date on the progress of the next round of legalization efforts in the upcoming legislative session. We almost got it passed last time, so our hopes are high.
 

Did you know Texas is the only state with NO provision for legal needle exchange?

Did you know that Austin has the lowest per capita rate of HIV infection of any of the four major metropolitan areas of Texas?

 Did you know that Austin is the only Texas city that has had continuous needle exchange since the beginning of the HIV epidemic?

Needle Exchange Works. Needle Exchange Saves Lives.

Please help us keep the Austin needle exchange alive.

NEEDLE EXCHANGE T's for XMAS!

http://www.austinharmreduction.org

DONATE!

Anything helps.

PASS THIS ALONG!

to anyone you think might be sympathetic. We need our community to show their love this year, and help us through this tough spot.

Thanks!

Jana B.