In response to some very worthwhile and intuitive comments on this issue, I thought I’d do a follow-up post clarifying some of my feelings on the subject. My issues with this program lie in the limited benefits of needle exchange after weighing in all the factors of drug addiction.
Yes, this program may prevent many HIV/AIDS cases contracted through use of infected needles and that’s great. Truly, one live saved is worth the effort no matter what.
But I remain weary when I think about the idea that this program is not doing much to actually target the problem of addiction itself and ignoring the blantant illegality of drug paraphernalia. I agree with my husband when he suggests that the taxpayers might be better served by their money going to beds for treatment centers.
Having clean needles may help with one of many dangerous and devastating aspects of drug use. But it also perpetuates drug use, leaving a plethora of other devastating effects of addiction unaddressed.
I just feel that there has got to be a better way for us to reach out to addicts and help them get their lives back on track, as opposed to handing out clean needles to continue the same dangerous and addictive behavior.
Clearly, we all agree that more funding needs to go into drug treatment and addiction education programs, and I guess until the day comes when we can see that idea become more of a reality, any program (like the needle exchange program) is like putting a band-aid on an amputated limb. It may very well save some people from HIV/AIDS, but it leaves the door open, further perpetuating drug use and addiction. And that is the bigger problem, the effects of which can be felt from every angle.
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