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 - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake