Section 24-806 - Collection of data; evaluation of particular issues; methodology. - Maryland Statutes

§ 24-806. Collection of data; evaluation of particular issues; methodology.
 

(a)  Required data.- The Baltimore City Health Department shall include in its Program operating procedures measures to collect the following data: 

(1) The number of participants served by the Program; 

(2) The length of time a participant is served by the Program; 

(3) Demographic profiles of participants served by the Program that include: 

(i) Age; 

(ii) Sex; 

(iii) Race; 

(iv) Occupation; 

(v) Zip code of residence; 

(vi) Types of drugs used; 

(vii) Length of drug use; and 

(viii) Frequency of injection; 

(4) The number of hypodermic needles and syringes exchanged; 

(5) The number of participants entering drug counseling and treatment; and 

(6) The number of referrals made by the Program for drug counseling and treatment. 

(b)  Required issues to be evaluated.- With the advice and approval of the oversight committee, the Baltimore City Health Department shall develop and implement a plan for Program evaluation that shall include the following issues: 

(1) The prevalence of HIV among Program participants; 

(2) Changes in the level of drug use among Program participants; 

(3) Changes in the level of needle-sharing among Program participants; 

(4) Changes in the use of condoms among Program participants; 

(5) The status of treatment and recovery for Program participants who entered drug treatment programs; 

(6) The impact of the Program on risk behaviors for the transmission of the HIV infection, the hepatitis B virus, and other life-threatening blood-borne diseases among injecting drug users; 

(7) The cost-effectiveness of the Program versus the direct and indirect costs of the HIV infection in terms of medical treatment and other services normally required by HIV-infected individuals; 

(8) The strengths and weaknesses of the Program; and 

(9) The advisability of continuing the Program. 

(c)  Methodology.- As part of its plans for data collection and Program evaluation described under subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Baltimore City Health Department shall develop and implement a methodology: 

(1) For identifying Program hypodermic needles and syringes, such as through the use of bar coding or any other method approved by the oversight committee; and 

(2) To perform HIV antibody testing on the residue left in a sample of hypodermic needles and syringes returned to the Program. 
 

[1994, ch. 360; 2010, ch. 72.]