needle exchange Programs Th sprad of AIDS and HIV has bcom a major concrn in th halth community and in political policy. Many issus on how to handl th sprad hav causd much conflict and dbat. On such issu is ndl xchang programs also known as harm rduction organizations. Th ida bhind this is to provid clan ndls and collct usd ons for thos drug usrs who do not wish to stop using drugs. This ida cam about aftr th connction btwn dirty ndls and th sprad of HIV was discovrd. Some took it upon themselves with little resources to go into communities where drug use was heavy and handed out clean needles and collected used ones to get them out of circulation.
They also handed out condoms to prevent the spread of HIV by sexual means and medical volunteers to provide on site treatment of immediate medical problems (The Legality of Saving Lives).
Many believe this to be a way of reducing the rapid spread of AIDS and HIV. Those that are for needle exchange programs argue that by making needles scarce they are forcing those that will not stop using intravenous drugs to share infected needles. Another argument for needle exchange programs is that they actually reduce drug use and not increase it. Case studies of legal syringe-exchange initiatives that receive state and local funding in Massachusetts and Washington, outlines how communities have mainstreamed this once-underground concept into the official array of AIDS prevention services. Needle exchange programs have even been supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clintons administration who called them life saving intervention. (Loconte 1).
The Research paper on Exchange Program Needle Programs Drug
A. Needle Exchange Controversy A. Needle Exchange Controversy Essay, Research Paper Needle Exchange Programs: The Best Solution? The United States of America has been contending with adverse social and economic effects of the drug abuse, namely of heroin, since the foundation of this country. Our initial attempt to outlaw heroin with the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914 resulted in the U. S. having ...
However, there are many that believe that needles exchange programs cause more harm than good.
Those against needle exchange programs believe that instead of preventing drug use one is promoting or endorsing it and attracting new users and so instead they try to make needles scarce. Another argument against the programs is that most intravenous drug users die from other health problems, overdoses, or homicide and not HIV tainted needles and the only effective help that can be given to drug users is enrollment in tough-minded treatment programs enforced by drug courts (Loconte 2).
Those anti needle exchange programs say that the studies that supposedly prove that needle exchange programs reduce HIV infection such as one published in the American Journal of Medicine and states that HIV infection was reduced by a third are not accurate. Researchers tested needles from anonymous users not addicts themselves to see if they contained HIV but they never measured the portion of participants who became HIV positive during the study (Loconte 3).
The possibility of negative results from needle exchange program operations also demands attention. One possible negative outcome is an increase in the number of improperly discarded used needles. Another possibility is that the issuance of injection equipment, condoned by government, will “send a message” undercutting efforts at combatting illegal drug use and will promote more drug use (with more attendant HIV incidence).
A third possible negative outcome is that needle exchanges will lower the perception of risk of injection drug use and thus attract more users to inject drugs and to other forms of illegal drug use. Appraisal of the success of a needle exchange program, then, should also attend to measures of these possible negative outcomes. An observed pattern of negative outcomes would weigh against the idea that needle exchange programs are beneficial. Assessment of the effects of needle exchanges involves the simultaneous consideration of a number of intended positive and unintended negative outcomes. Ideally, a successful exchange program would reduce the risk of new infection among injection drug users without increasing drug use and health risks to the public.
The Essay on Drug Programs
Children face many challenges in today's society. There are many sorts of obstacles that students must face in their everyday lives, but one of the most important is, the use of drugs. Not only our communities are faced with this problem, but communities throughout the world. To help solve one of our most plaguing problems, there have been many programs that have developed over the years to try ...
Bibliography:
Cost effectiveness: Saving lives and saving billions of dollars www.dogwoodcenter.org. Princeton NJ Day, Dawn. Health Emergency 2001 www.dogwoodcenter.org. Princeton NJ.
2001 The Legality of Saving Lives www.dogwoodcenter.org. Princeton NJ Loconte, Joe Killing Them Softly www.policyreview.org. Heritage Foundation. 1998 Response of Governor George W. Bush to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Fall 2000.
