Pubdate: Thu, 30 Mar 2006
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Copyright: 2006 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06.n396.a04.html
Author: William F. Brna

SAY 'NO' TO NEEDLES

The letter from the board president of Prevention Point Pittsburgh
conveniently overlooks the fact that needles, however and wherever
obtained, used for illegal drugs are themselves illegal ("Needle
points," March 28).

Possession of needles and other drug paraphernalia is a felony,
resulting in prison, probation or fines. Prevention Point Pittsburgh
is aiding and abetting a felony and should be prosecuted for this. The
last sentence of her letter reads, "The best response to finding cases
of hepatitis C is not less needle exchange but more" (emphasis mine).

Rather than simply giving needles to addicts, the "best response" is
to develop programs to help addicts recover from their addiction.
There are medications and programs available that will accomplish
this. There is an opiate antagonist available, Suboxone (generic
version: buprenorphine), to do just this. The problem is that only a
certain number of doctors are permitted to prescribe this and the
number of patients is limited to 30 at any one time.

Much more would be accomplished in reducing heroin addiction through a
larger number of doctors who could treat addiction with Suboxone. It
would have the concomitant benefit of reducing the incidence of
hepatitis C and AIDS, since no needles are used.

William F. Brna

Carroll Township
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