Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune (CT) - TUESDAY, November 15, 1994; Edition: NORTH SPORTS FINAL Section: EDITORIAL Page: 24 Word Count: 432
But in one respect, the nation has been slow and reluctant to deal with the epidemic. The stress on safe sex has often obscured the fact that more than one of every four AIDS victims contracts the virus through drug use-sharing contaminated hypodermic needles to inject their daily fix. Public health experts and advocacy groups long ago proposed to combat this menace by assuring addicts easy access to sterile needles, sparing them the need to share dirty ones. But the war on AIDS collided with the war on drugs, and the AIDS effort lost. Critics insisted that such programs would tacitly condone drug abuse but do little to curb the epidemic-since people who put dangerous drugs into their bodies aren't likely to worry too much about putting lethal microbes in as well.
It was a plausible argument that has since been proven wrong. Needle-exchange programs have been operating in this country for several years now, some legally and some not, and they have compiled a record of clear success.
The most recent evidence comes from a study of 350 addicts in New York City, who got syringes at storefront exchanges and mobile units around the city. Normally, about 5 percent of addicts in New York are infected with HIV each year. But for those in the program, the rate fell to 2 percent. The participants' use of dirty syringes fell dramatically after they enrolled.
This investigation reinforces the conclusion of a survey published last year by the federal Centers for Disease Control, which looked at the experience of needle exchanges around the country. It found that they do not seem to foster more drug abuse or more addicts but do reduce needle-sharing.
The report said these exchanges are a highly cost-effective way of preventing AIDS transmission. Washington, it concluded, should lift its ban on the use of federal funds for needle programs and states with laws forbidding possession and over-the-counter sales of syringes should repeal them. Illinois is one of those, although Chicago has some exchange programs, with police generally looking the other way.
Such programs will offend those who think combating drug abuse should take first priority. But the costs of that policy have been much too high to leave it in place.
941115
CT941102
Copyright © 1994 - Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Chicago Tribune, Permissions Desk, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 http://www.chicagotribune.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, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1994. 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, 1994. 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. .