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NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PROGRAM UNWORTHY OF SUPPORT

It was recently announced that implementing needle-exchange programs would become a priority in the last days of the current administration. 

Our delegation's position, as it has been since this issue was first brought before the Legislature, has been one of unequivocal opposition. 

It is difficult to see any beneficial measures resulting from allowing individuals with drug addictions to have greater access to an instrument that serves as an injection method for destroying their health. 

There have been several studies indicating the failure on a fundamental level by needle-exchange programs.  A study conducted in 1997 in Vancouver, site of North America's then largest needle-exchange program, depicted a grim and disturbing picture with statistics and analyses of the detrimental aftereffects resulting from the program.  According to the study, since the inception of the program in 1988, AIDS prevalence in intravenous users rose at an alarming rate from 2 percent to 27 percent.  Furthermore, the study showed that 40 percent of HIV-positive addicts participating in the program lent a syringe in the previous six months, and 60 percent of HIV-negative addicts had borrowed a syringe in the past six months. 

We do not believe that putting more needles out on the street is the answer to reduce drug use or protect the health of addicts.  In fact, needle-exchange programs may serve as an incentive for individuals to continue down a path of self-destruction.  Law enforcement agencies, with expertise in the area of drug prevention, have contacted our office in strong opposition to this measure.  This provided us with additional reasons for taking a strong position against the needle-exchange legislation scheduled to be put before the State Senate last year, but was withdrawn at the last minute, no doubt due to the lack of sufficient support among legislators.  In addition to allowing a person 18 years of age to purchase a hypodermic needle for the administration of drugs without a prescription, this bill also prohibited police from arresting individuals found in possession of needles found to contain drug residue. 

Other and more effective means of drug treatment exist as opposed to creating needle-exchange programs.  The continued support of law enforcement and their efforts to apprehend those who break laws established to curtail drug usage in our communities must still be recognized as the best approach.  Currently, legislation supported by our delegation, that would establish drug courts in eight additional counties, awaits action and hopefully will be seen as a priority by the Legislature.  Drug-court programs provide intensive, court-supervised substance-abuse treatment for nonviolent, addicted offenders as opposed to jail.  These solution-oriented programs, in our opinion, serve as a much more effective alternative to needle-exchange programs. 

Given the findings of past studies detailing the potentially harmful effects of needle-exchange programs, our state would be remiss in ignoring the facts.  Studies clearly show addicts routinely share needles, contrary to the primary reason for an exchange program.  We also are concerned the communities where these programs will exist may become havens for drug users with their streets inundated with discarded needles.  We also oppose this measure because of its inherent failure to address the real issue -- ending the destructive cycle of drug use. 

We will not support, under any circumstances, any proposal for establishing needle-exchange programs.