Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jul 2006
Source: Malden Observer (MA)
Copyright: 2006 Community Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/malden/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3535
Author: Robert Sharpe

PINKHAM WRONG ON NEEDLE REGULATION

To the editor:

Needle exchange programs ("Panic in Needle Exchange Park," June 30, 
Page 15) have been shown to reduce the spread of HIV without 
increasing drug use. They also serve as a bridge to drug treatment 
for an especially hard to reach population. However, such programs 
often give rise to a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) reaction. An 
alternative is syringe access regulation. Allowing drug users to 
purchase clean needles in pharmacies has the added benefit of not 
costing taxpayers a dime.

Unfortunately, tough-on-drugs politicians have built careers on 
confusing drug prohibition's collateral damage with drugs themselves. 
Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains 
constant increase the profitability of trafficking. For addictive 
drugs like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts 
to increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war 
doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime.

When politics trumps science, people die. Centers for Disease Control 
researchers estimate that 57 percent of AIDS cases among women and 36 
percent of overall AIDS cases in the U.S. are linked to 
injection-drug use or sex with partners who inject drugs. This 
preventable public health crisis is a direct result of zero-tolerance 
laws that restrict access to clean syringes. Drug abuse is bad, but 
the drug war is worse.

For information, visit www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts/idu.htm.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman