Pubdate: Wed, 28 Sep 2005
Source: High Point Enterprise (NC)
Copyright: 2005 High Point Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.hpe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/576
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

REVISIT NEEDLE-EXCHANGE IDEA NEXT YEAR

The N.C. Legislature didn't take action this year on a proposed 
needle-exchange pilot program that would have included Guilford 
County. Proponents of the plan shouldn't let it drift into obscurity 
during the next several months.

The legislation proposes programs in three counties that would be 
administered by local health departments to test the effectiveness of 
exchanging needles for drug addicts in an effort to reduce the spread 
of HIV and hepatitis C .

A growing body of evidence indicates such programs can be effective 
in reducing the diseases and also providing a way for drug addicts to 
get into treatment programs. It's worth the effort here.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake