Pubdate: Sat, 07 Oct 2006
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Copyright: 2006 The Register-Guard
Contact:  http://www.registerguard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1290/a05.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

NEEDLE EXCHANGE SAVES LIVES

Regarding Sarah-Kate Sharkey And Riann Nel's Sept. 24 Commentary 
Article In The Register-Guard:

The HIV Alliance is to be commended for its life-saving work in Lane 
County. Needle exchange programs 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. Drug users 
are not the only beneficiaries.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control researchers estimate that 57 percent 
of AIDS cases among women and 36 percent of overall AIDS cases in the 
United States are linked to injection drug use or sex with partners 
who inject drugs. This easily preventable public health crisis is a 
direct result of zero tolerance laws that restrict access to clean syringes.

In the interest of containing the HIV epidemic, let's hope 
tough-on-drugs politicians acknowledge the drug war's tremendous 
collateral damage sooner rather than later.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine