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Dave Purchase's grassroots syringe exchange program begins.

1989

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AIDS
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DRUG

Dave Purchase begins exchanging needles on a street corner in Tacoma, Washington. In his first five months, he gives out 13,000 clean needles in exchange for used ones, catching the attention of the media and public health advocates.

By 1993, Purchase's needle exchange operation will have gained support from local health agencies, and will be moved off the streets to form the Point Defiance AIDS Project (PDAP) and the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN).