Exchange a needle progam

[Kacie_bride]

Last night I watched a program on Aids and the African American community. They brought up a topic which I had heard before, but not in awhile. There have been centers that let drug users trade in their dirty needles for clean ones in order to prevent the further spread of HIV/Aids. Do you think this is right?

[Kacie_bride]

I disagree with it. I think those same people using iv drugs would be more likely than your average person to have unprotected sex as well. If they already disrespect their body enough to stick a needle with a deadly drug inside of it that others have used, then what makes anyone think that they might want to use a condom? I think any kind of tax dollars going to help faciliate drug use is ridiculous, immoral, and down right wrong.

[MOB Karen]

I am in favor of anything that will help prevent the spread of AIDS. In my opinion, this will help everyone in the long run.

[AllyM1]

I say no. Those "clean" needles that were traded for the "dirty" ones are going to become dirty again. If they go get a needle then use it and give it to someone else, how's that going to help?

I honestly think if they really wanted to cure or help the spread of AIDS/HIV they would have done it by now.

[LaceyinPgh]

Anything to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in this country or any other is fine by me. If they are going to shoot up, fine, at least they have their own clean needles to do it with.

In the African American community the spread of HIV/AIDS usually does come from iv drug useage and heterosexual contact.

I am a HUGE HIV/AIDS prevention and cure advocate. I have been since high school. I pride myself on the work that I have done to get the word out. To me if it will prevent one case which in turn can prevent hundreds of others than it is worth looking into. Not only are you preventing HIV/AIDS but also Hepatitis, other blood born infections, and skin infections.

To be honest though, I haven't seen data on needle exchange programs in years.

[WebLady]

I sort of have mixed feelings on this ... on one hand I think that people are gonna do it you might as well try to help lessen the chances of them spreading disease. (as for them being more likely to have unprotected sex, I think condoms and how to use them properly should be readily available as well) However, there is always the thought that they might just go share the 'clean' needle which would not be good, so then we'd have to just keep giving them more and more new needles, so where would it end?

I do believe that we need to work on finding a cure, but at the same time we need to help the people that are suffering and stop it from spreading.

[rainbowtreat]

I am thinking more on the lines of needles being left where some one else could get it like a child. If they are able to turn them in for a cleanone then there is less chance of them ended up on the ground when some one can get it. So yes i am for it. For this sake.

[LaceyinPgh]

Like I said, I haven't seen data on a needle exchange program in years. I just talked to a friend who said the same thing.
The most recent data I found was from 2005 (very recent). It comes from a study of effectiviness done by the Centers for Diseaes Control and Prevention in Atlanta. This is a governemnt run agency. I am very comfortable that the data hasn't been skewed for effectivness due to the neutral parties involved:
Not only do the needle (or in the this report syringe) exchange programs provide clean needles but they also provide HIV/AIDS education and counseling, condom distribution, referrals to substance abuse, mental health, and medical healthcare programs and facilities, alcohol swabs, HIV testings along with counseling and crisis prevention, TB, Hep B, and Hep C screenings and treatment referals, primary medical services.

This is taken directly fromthe report itself:
What Is the Public Health Impact of SEPs?
SEPs have been shown to be an effective way to link some hard-to-reach IDUs with important public health services, including TB and STD screening and treatment. Through their referrals to substance abuse treatment, SEPs can help IDUs stop using drugs. Studies also show that SEPs do not encourage drug use among SEP participants or the recruitment of first-time drug users. In addition, a number of studies have shown that IDUs will use sterile syringes if they can obtain them. SEPs provide IDUs with an opportunity to use sterile syringes and share less often.

The results of this research, and the clear dangers of syringe sharing, led the National Institutes of Health Consensus Panel on HIV Prevention to stated that:
"An impressive body of evidence suggests powerful effects from needle exchange programs....Studies show reduction in risk behavior as high as 80%, with estimates of a 30% or greater reduction of HIV in IDUs."

Economic studies have concluded that SEPs are also cost effective. At an average cost of $0.97 per syringe distributed, SEPs can save money in all IDU populations where the annual HIV seroincidence exceeds 2.1 per 100 person years. The cost per HIV infection prevented by SEPs has been calculated at $4,000 to $12,000, considerably less than the estimated $190,000 medical costs of treating a person infected with HIV.

Here is a link to the study:
http://www.cdc.gov/IDU/facts/AED_IDU_SYR.pdf
And to a similiar report issued by the Health and Human Services Department (who have jurisdiction over the CDC) from 1998:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/1998pres/980420b.html

[AllyM1]

Maybe if it wasn't an "exchange" more of a "giving up." I feel exchanging a needle for another is condoning drug use. We shouldn't be telling someone it's okay to inject drugs into their veins as long as you do it safely to avoid HIV and other diseases.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I believe in it! I mean let's face it, you cannot tell a person to quit shooting up and there will always be people doing it!!! So why not at least try and get them to do it a little more safely! We are not here to judge others and if they choose to shoot drugs into their systems that's their choice! And if they want clean needles to do it, then so be it, give them clean needles!!!! Why take away a persons rights just because they are a drug addict! They are no less of a person then I, or anyone else in this world! They've made bad choices in their lives, but then whoever hasn't made a bad choice can cast the first stone...so just give them clean needles!!!!!

[AngelinLove]

I agree with Karen, Lacey and Shawna. There is not really anything left for me to say!!!

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I agree with Karen, Lacey and Shawna. There is not really anything left for me to say!!!
I feel the same way too!

[CarlosHoney]

I think that the extremely conservative views of the government are hurting the country. Just because it's illegal or taboo doesn't mean that it's not happening. If a drug user has a place to exchange a needle, they might prevent the spread of AIDS, just like they can go to the free clinic and get condoms if nessecary.

I think that when the public starts treating the problem like a problem instead of ignoring it, it will get better. Until then, misinformation and ignorance will prevail. I guess I'm just trying to say that I'm pro-education! :bbmrgreen: