Pubdate: Sat, 3 Jul 2010
Source: New York Times (NY)
Page: A18
Copyright: 2010 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Cited: Department of Health and Human Services 
http://www.aids.gov/about-us/?showTab=contact-us

SENSIBLE RULES, SOON

President Obama did the right thing in December when he repealed the 
21-year-old ban on federal financing for programs that give drug 
users access to clean needles. Almost nothing has happened since 
because the Department of Health and Human Services still has not 
issued the new rules that states and localities need before they can 
use any federal money to expand existing exchange programs or start new ones.

Administration officials say the rules will be issued soon. They must 
be written in a way that broadens access to needle exchanges, rather 
than restricts it.

Congress voted to withhold federal money from these life-saving 
programs in 1988 when it was already clear that clean needles slowed 
the spread of H.I.V. and other blood-borne diseases without 
contributing to addiction. Fortunately, not all states and localities 
followed that destructive approach.

Researchers found that state-financed needle-exchange programs in New 
York City cut the infection rate of H.I.V. among addicts by about 80 
percent by giving them clean syringes and enrolling them in drug 
treatment programs. By keeping addicts free of infection, the program 
also has saved the lives of spouses, lovers and unborn children.

State and local health officials are eager for the new rules so they 
can move forward and are pressing the Obama administration to avoid 
placing unnecessary restrictions on already proven programs. They are 
especially worried about how the new rules will interpret a provision 
of the statute that gives local police departments some say in where 
needle-exchange programs can be located. It is important to protect 
the interests of local residents and businesses, but forcing exchange 
sites to the far edges of a city or town would utterly defeat their purpose.

Managers of these programs often reach agreements with police 
departments so that people coming in are not arrested for having drug 
paraphernalia. Federal health officials should require local clinics 
that get federal aid to confer with local law enforcement. Good will, 
good sense and a readiness to cooperate is essential on all sides. 
Successful, well-financed needle-exchange programs will improve 
public health and public safety. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake