Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2011 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161 Note: Does not publish letters from outside their circulation area. Author: Rick Leas NOT THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT Recent letters and a Bee editorial criticized the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for rejecting plans for a needle exchange program. Some believe an exchange program encourages illegal behavior, while others say that the county will save money if they can prevent the spread of disease. Both sides are correct. However, they miss the main question. Is this program one that should be conducted by the government at taxpayer expense, or should it be handled by a private, nonprofit organization that sees a need and a humanitarian benefit? Government at all levels is involved in too many activities and programs, and we should let the free market and humanitarians decide which programs are worth supporting. As the cost of health care continues to rise, the day will come when we will not be able to afford health services for responsible people, let alone those who engage in reckless behavior. When that day comes, which will be more callous: using tax revenues to serve drug addicts instead of sick responsible citizens or allowing persons who choose drugs to suffer the consequences of their acts? The solution will not come from government, but from humanitarians. Rick Leas Clovis - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart