AEGiS-PRn: FRC Asks: Are Taxpayers Ready to Subsidize Heroin Addicts? FRC to Introduce National Poll on Needle Exchange Programs

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

FRC Asks: Are Taxpayers Ready to Subsidize Heroin Addicts? FRC to Introduce National Poll on Needle Exchange Programs

PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 - Wednesday August 13, 1997 - 7:02 AM EDT

Donna Shalala is feeling the heat. The American Medical Association, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Conference on Mayors, and others are "strongly urging" her to lift the ban on federally funded needle exchange programs (NEPs). Last month, the Washington Post said that "study after study shows that the exchanges do not promote greater use of illegal drugs" (July 14). On July 8, the Los Angeles Times reported that "several major studies have shown that the programs that give addicts clean needles in exchange for used ones decrease HIV infection in injected-drug users by 30%." And Rep. Elijah Cummings told USA Today that NEPs have "cut the spread of the virus while not increasing drug use" (August 5). But is this the whole truth? Are NEPs stopping the spread of AIDS?

In 1986, Switzerland began implementing NEPs. Chaos resulted. Syringes were made available in every pharmacy, and then in public vending machines. Zurich's Platzpitz Park was opened as a "safe haven" for Zurich's own drug addicts and needles were distributed freely. The city was soon flooded with foreign addicts and the number of exchanged needles skyrocketed to 12,000 per day! In 1992, the city closed the distribution center and thousands of addicts relocated to a nearby abandoned railway station called Letten. There, it evolved into a war zone among gangs dealing drugs, while the number of exchanged needles reached 15,000 per day. By February 1995, Letten was closed. Addicts were moved to government-sponsored centers and "shooting galleries."

The result -- Switzerland now claims the highest number of heroin addicts and the second highest HIV infection rate in Europe. It also experiences Europe's highest heroin drug overdose death rate each year.

Now, the United States may be on the verge of federally funding NEPs, but the Family Research Council will fight to keep this from happening.

On August 20, FRC will release an unprecedented national poll declaring what the American people really think about needle exchanges. Anti-drug leaders will join FRC's president Gary Bauer and senior policy adviser Robert Maginnis to brief the press on this urgent matter. The meeting will be held in the National Press Club's Conference Room at 10 a.m.

CONTACT: Kristin Hansen of the Family Research Council, 202-393-2100.

SOURCE: Family Research Council

Copyright (c) 1997/PR NewsWire. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
970813
PR970813

Copyright © 1997 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .