Pubdate: Mon, 20 May 2002 Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL) Copyright: 2002sPeoria Journal Star Contact: http://pjstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338 Author: Robert Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) 'NEEDLE LADY' SAVING LIVES Harm reduction saves lives, and Beth Wehrman is a lifesaver. Peoria residents who find fault with her needle exchange efforts would be wise to consider that drug users are not the only ones at risk. Ms. Wehrman is protecting the entire community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 57 percent of AIDS cases among women are linked to injection drug use or sex with partners who inject drugs. Overall, 36 percent of AIDS cases in the United States can be traced to intravenous drug use. This easily preventable public health crisis is a direct result of zero tolerance laws that restrict access to clean syringes. Let's hope America's tough-on-drugs politicians acknowledge the drug war's tremendous collateral damage sooner, not later. Whether we like it or not, both drug use and drug laws are here to stay. It makes sense to try and minimize the harm associated with both. Robert Sharpe Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth